Benefits and entitlements for the elderly

Attendance allowance

Attendance allowance is a payment available to people who are over the state pension age and need significant help with daily living tasks such as washing, dressing or eating due to a serious illness or disability.

How much is it?

Higher rate: £101.75 a week

Lower rate: £68.10 a week.

Eligibility:

To be eligible for attendance allowance, you must meet the following criteria:

• Be of state pension age
• Have a disability that requires help with self-care due to physical or mental impairment, including dementia
• Have required the necessary level of ‘care and supervision’ for at least six months, prior to claiming (unless terminally ill)
• You don’t have to be receiving care already, as long as you would benefit from it.

You will not be eligible if:

• You already receive the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Disability Living Allowance.
• You are below the state pension age.

How to claim:

Download and print the claim form to send by post.

Alternatively, you can fill out an interactive AA1 form online (but you will still need to print the completed form to sign and post).

You can call the attendance allowance helpline to request a claim form or to get help and information: 0203 728 7577

Christmas bonus

The Christmas bonus is a special one-time payment of £10 that is tax-free and paid to those who receive certain benefits during the qualifying week, usually the first full week of December. This bonus is intended to help people on lower incomes with the additional costs associated with the holiday season.

The good news is that you do not need to apply for the Christmas bonus as it is paid automatically to those who are eligible. This means that if you receive any of the qualifying benefits during the qualifying week, you should receive the payment without having to do anything.

Not everyone who receives benefits is eligible for the Christmas bonus. To qualify, you must be receiving certain benefits on a particular week, and these benefits include Pension Credit, Disability Living Allowance, State Pension, Attendance Allowance, and more. It’s best to check with your local authority to see if you are eligible.

Constant Attendance Allowance (CAA)

Constant Attendance Allowance (CAA) is a benefit available to individuals who are ill or disabled due to specific circumstances such as workplace accidents or military service. In order to qualify, you must receive either an industrial injuries disablement benefit or a war disablement pension and you must require constant care and attention as a result of your injury or disability.

CAA is paid at four different rates depending on the nature of your disability and how much care you need. As of the 2023-24 tax year, the maximum amount you can receive is £166.20 per week.

If you believe you may be eligible for CAA, you can make a claim by visiting GOV.UK. The application process may require evidence of your injury or disability, as well as medical documentation to support your claim. If you need help filling out the claim form you can call the Attendance Allowance helpline on 0203 728 7577.

Council tax reduction

Council tax reduction is a means-tested benefit that can help you pay your council tax if you’re on a low income or have no income at all. The amount of reduction you receive will depend on your income, savings, and household size, as well as the amount of council tax you need to pay.

If you’re living with dementia or caring for someone with dementia, you may be eligible for additional support with your council tax. Some people with severe cognitive impairments, including dementia, may be entitled to a full exemption from council tax. In addition, if you’re a carer, you may be entitled to a discount on your council tax bill.

To apply for Council tax reduction, you will need to contact your local council and provide information on your income and living situation. The rules for council tax reduction will vary depending on where you live, so it’s best to check what support is available in your area.

Pension credit

Pension credit is a means-tested benefit designed to provide financial assistance to individuals on a low income. The benefit is made up of two parts: Guarantee credit and savings credit. Guarantee credit provides a minimum level of income for people who have reached the qualifying age for state pension. The savings credit is an additional payment for those who have saved towards their retirement.

Not everyone who is eligible for pension credit claims it, with around a third of people failing to do so according to the government. The benefit can provide an average of around £3,300 per year to those who claim it, so it’s important to check if you’re eligible and make a claim if you are.

To qualify for Pension Credit, you must have reached state pension age and have a low income or no income at all. You can still apply for Pension Credit even if you own your own home or have savings.

You can apply online through the GOV.UK website. The application requires information about your income, savings, and living arrangements, so try to have this information ready when you apply.

If you need assistance with your application or have any questions, you can contact the pension credit claim line on 0800 99 1234 or a voluntary organisation like Citizens Advice or Age UK.

TV licence

If you’re over 75 and receive pension credit, you may be able to claim a free TV licence for your household. The licence covers everyone living at your address. Learn more about getting a free or discounted TV licence.

Winter fuel payment

The winter fuel payment is a tax-free payment that can help you pay for your heating bills during the winter months. If you receive State Pension or Pension Credit, you could receive between £250 and £600. You don’t need to apply for it if you’re eligible, as the payment will be sent to you automatically.

Bereavement support payment

Widowers who are under the state pension age may be eligible for bereavement support payment if they were living in the UK or a country that pays bereavement benefits. Your partner must have either paid national insurance contributions for at least 25 weeks in one tax year since 6 April 1975 or died as a result of an accident at work or a disease caused by work.

The amount you receive depends on your circumstances, such as whether you have children, and ranges from a one-off payment of £2,500 to up to £9,800 over 18 months. To find out more or to apply, visit the GOV.UK website.

Free eye tests and dental care

If you’re aged 60 or over, you may be entitled to free NHS eye tests and free prescriptions.

For dental care, if you’re over 60 and claiming certain benefits, you may be eligible for free dental treatment. You may also be entitled to help with the cost of travelling to receive NHS dental care and the cost of glasses or travel to the hospital.

Additionally, the NHS Low Income Scheme can help with dental charges and the cost of travelling to receive NHS treatment. To find out if you’re eligible for help with dental costs or to apply for the NHS Low Income Scheme, visit the NHS website.

Hospital travel costs

The Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme (HTCS) provides help with travel costs for people on a low income who need to travel to receive NHS healthcare. If you’re eligible, the scheme can cover the cost of your travel to and from the hospital, as well as any other costs such as unavoidable car parking and toll charges.

To apply, you can ask your healthcare provider who is treating you for a copy of the form or download it from the NHS website.

Blue badge

The Blue badge scheme provides parking concessions for people with disabilities or health conditions that affect their mobility. If you have difficulty walking or have a severe disability, you may be eligible for a Blue Badge. The badge allows you to park closer to your destination, in designated parking spaces, and in some cases, for free.

To apply, visit this website and complete the online application form.