Benefits For people aged 63 and over

Find out more about the benefits you may be entitled to You can claim when you reach State Pension qualifying age.

State Pension can be paid when you This is the date that women currently reach pension age. The amount will reach pension age. depend on your To make a claim ring the Pension contribution record. Service on 0800 99 1234 (textphone 0800 169 0133). You can download Pension age for men is 65. The a claim form from www.gov.uk pension age for women is increasing from 60 to 65, to be equalised with Working Tax Credit men by November 2018. Working Tax Credit can be claimed You should receive a claim form if you are working and on a low about four months before you reach income. pension age. If you are 60 years or over you must For more information contact the be working at least 16 hours a week. Pension Service on 0800 731 7898 The amount you can be paid depends (textphone 0800 731 7339). on your income and circumstances. You must claim jointly with your If you are on a low income partner if you have one. To make a claim contact the Tax Pension Credit Credits Helpline on 0345 300 3900 Pension Credit provides a basic (textphone 0345 300 3909). income to cover living costs. It may be paid on its own or to top-up income that you already receive, like Housing Benefit helps pay for your your State Pension. The amount you rent if you are on a low income. can be paid depends on your income It may cover all or some of your and savings, including those of your rent depending on your income and partner if you have one. You may be savings, and your circumstances. entitled to extra amounts if you get a disability benefit and qualify for the severe disability addition, you are a carer or you have mortgage costs. If you or any partner have savings If you have personal care needs over £16,000 you will not be able to or difficulties with walking get Housing Benefit unless you receive Pension Credit guarantee credit. Attendance Allowance To claim contact your local council or county council Attendance Allowance looks at the help you need with personal care or Council Tax Support to keep safe. You have to be aged 65 Council Tax Support helps pay for or over when you first claim. your Council Tax if you are on a low You do not have to receive help, it income. is enough to show that you have It may cover all or some of your difficulty with activities like washing Council Tax depending on your and dressing, moving around in your income and savings, and your home or getting into bed. circumstances. Attendance Allowance does not look If you or any partner have savings over at problems you may have walking £16,000 you will not be able to get outdoors. Council Tax Support unless you receive If your mobility difficulties start Pension Credit guarantee credit. before age 65 you may be able To make a claim contact your to claim Personal Independence local council. Payment.

Child Tax Credit Attendance Allowance is paid at two rates. If you need support day Child Tax Credit can be paid if you are and night the higher rate of £82.30 responsible for a child and you are on can be paid. a low income. If you need support day or night You must claim jointly with your you will receive the lower rate of partner if you have one. £55.10. To make a claim contact the Tax To get a claim form ring Credits Helpline on 0345 300 3900 0345 605 6055 (textphone (textphone 0345 300 3909). 0345 604 5312). You can download a claim form from www.gov.uk Personal Independence Payment The person you are caring for must Personal Independence Payment be receiving a disability benefit: looks at your ability to manage: Personal Independence Payment daily living activities and/or (daily living component) planning and following journeys Attendance Allowance and moving around. Disability Living Allowance (middle or higher rate care You have to be aged under 65 when component) you claim. Constant Attendance Allowance The daily living activities include personal care, communication, Armed Forces Independence engaging with other people and Payment making budgeting decisions. You cannot get Carer’s Allowance Personal Independence Payment if you are in full-time education or is paid if your ability to manage is earning £110 or more a week. limited or severely limited. It is paid Carer’s Allowance is paid at £62.10. at two rates: It overlaps with State Pension and daily living £55.10 or £82.30 some other benefits. mobility £21.80 or £57.45 If you receive a State Pension you may not get paid Carer’s Allowance To start your claim ring but you may receive increased 0800 917 2222 (textphone 0800 917 7777). You will be sent amounts on other benefits including a self-assessment form and most Pension Credit and Housing Benefit. people will attend a face‑to‑face If the person you care for lives alone, assessment with a health claiming Carer’s Allowance may professional. affect their benefits. Seek advice before claiming. If you are a carer To make a claim contact the Carer’s Allowance Unit on 0345 608 4321 Carer’s Allowance (textphone 0345 604 5312). You Carer’s Allowance can be paid if you can claim online and download a provide 35 hours care a week. form from www.gov.uk Assistance Schemes Other help Local councils have discretionary Health costs schemes which may help you meet essential costs. Support can include If you are aged 60 or over you can household goods direct from a supplier get free prescriptions and NHS or vouchers for food and fuel costs. eyesight tests. To make a claim contact your You can get help with other health local council or county council. costs such as dental charges and travel to appointments if you are Winter Fuel Payments on Pension Credit guarantee credit Winter Fuel Payments are yearly or you get exemption with your tax payments between £100 and £300 credit claim. to help with heating bills. You can also claim help under the You must have been born on or Low Income Scheme by contacting before 5 May 1953. the Health Costs Advice Line on 0300 330 1343 or www.nhs.uk Most payments are made automatically between November Please note, this covers England only. and December. To check if you need to make a A Funeral Payment helps cover claim contact the Winter Fuel the cost of a basic funeral. It will Payments Helpline on only be paid if you are accepted 0345 915 1515 (textphone as responsible for the cost of a 0345 606 0285) or download a funeral. You must receive Pension claim form from www.gov.uk Credit, Housing Benefit or other Council Tax reductions income‑related benefits. Your Council Tax bill may be reduced Contact the Bereavement Service if you are entitled to a discount or on 0345 606 0265 (textphone you are disabled. 0345 606 0285) or download a claim form from www.gov.uk Contact your local council for more information. Information and advice More information about caring

Local advice agencies Carers UK www.carersuk.org You can get information and advice advice line 0808 808 7777 from local advice and advocacy agencies such as AgeUK, Citizens Information and advice Advice or a carer’s centre. www.citizensadvice.org.uk Information is also available from advice line 03444 111 444 the following: The official government website Information, advice and support for provides information and access to older people online claim forms www.gov.uk AgeUK www.ageuk.org.uk advice line 0800 169 2081

The information in this leaflet is for guidance only and is not an authoritative statement of the law. You may wish to find out more before you decide whether to claim.

With thanks to

Charity number: 1164225 May 2016