Elderly Benefits

How To Top Up Your Benefits

Benefits for the Elderly - Top up your benefits

The latest figures show that 2.1 million pensioners are living in poverty due to lack of awareness and assumption that they would not be entitled to any help, possible concerns that the process will be to complicated for them, reluctancy of providing personal information and negative attitudes about receiving benefits or asking for help.

Elderly are entitled to:

1: Attendance Allowance

Attendance Allowance is one of the benefits for the elderly over State Pension age who need help with personal care or supervision, because of physical or mental disability.

You may be eligible for Attendance Allowance if you’re above pension age and have a physical or mental condition that means you need help with personal care or supervision, or have a terminal illness.

You could receive £61.85-£92.40 per week, depending on your level of needs.

You can apply from the Attendance Allowance Helpline on 0800 731 0122 (textphone 0800 731 0317), or click here to download a claim form

Who's eligible for Attendance Allowance

Be over the pension age. Usually, the pension age is 67 years old but it can depend on your gender and date of birth – you can check the pension age for you individually here.
Have a physical or mental disability or illness which requires help during the day or night with personal care or supervision.

Have had the disability or illness for at least six months – you can make your claim before the six months have passed, but you only receive payment after six months.
Be a UK resident and have lived in the UK for 104 of the last 156 weeks, and have no immigration conditions attached to your stay in the UK.
If you live in a care home, you’ll usually be entitled to Attendance Allowance only if you pay for your care yourself.

Attendance Allowance when you have a terminally illness

If you`re living with a terminal illness, you may be able to apply for Attendance Allowance under the special rules for terminal illness (SRTI). This applies if you have a progressive illness that is considered likely to limit your life expectancy to six months or less.

You don’t have to satisfy the qualifying period – i.e that you have had the disability or been in ill health for at least six months.
You don’t have to have been present in Great Britain for 104 weeks out of the last 156 week before claiming – you only need to be present at the time of claiming.
You won’t be assessed on your support needs

How much is Attendance Allowance?

There are two rates of Attendance Allowance which have been applied from April 2022 to April 2023 .

Attendance Allowance is between £61.85 and £92.40 a week ,depending on the level of care and support you need.

If you are eligible and you need support during day time or night, you are entitled to £61.85 a week (lower rate)

If you are eligible and need care and support during day and night and/or you are terminally ill you are entitled to £92.40 a week (higher rate)

Attendance Allowance isn`t means tested, so it`s not affected by your earnings, savings or other incomes.

This can be paid on top of other incomes you may receive( pension) except Constant Attendance Allowance, War Pension, Mobility Supplement

You can’t get Attendance Allowance if you already get Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or Personal Independence Payment (PIP).

How do I apply for the Attenders Allowance?

As with many of the benefits we run through on this page, applying for Attendance Allowance is a relatively simple process. It’s essentially completing a claims form and sending off. You can get the form by phoning the Attendance Allowance helpline on 0800 7310122 (textphone 0800 731 0317) or by downloading the Attendance Allowance claim form.

Before applying you must have all details available to add those on to your application form.

You need: National insurance Number, GP details and your prescribed medication .

Application process

You can apply for Attendance Allowance either for yourself. Or, if you have permission, on behalf of someone else who may have difficulty.

The forms may be difficult, as there are questions about your condition or disability including some personal questions. Take your time, and try to include as much information as possible including detailed answers in the written sections.

It’s important to include all activities, tasks or needs which you’re unable to do independently. But anything you struggle to do or experience pain or discomfort while doing them. If you need support, charities like Age UK can help you complete the form.

Applying for Attendance Allowance if you have a terminal illness

If you’re claiming Attendance Allowance under the special rules, you also need to send a factual statement from your GP or consultant to the government department when you make the claim.The form should provide information about your condition and treatment and be completed by your doctor or nurse if possible.

You can use DS1500 form which is available from your GP or consultant. You’ll be given a freepost address for the form when you make the claim over the phone.

In some cases, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) might contact you to ask for more information, or to arrange for a doctor to visit you. This will be if they have any uncertainty over your level of need or have cause to make any further assessments. You need to be prepared for the doctors visit and have the application ready for him/her to view together with your medication and other information you may have to support your application.

If you’re struggling with memory, it may be helpful to take along a loved one to help support you with this.

Receiving The Decision

The Department of Work and Pensions will review your claim and let you know their decision in writing. This is usually within six weeks if you have an illness or condition, and two weeks if you have a terminal illness. You should call the Attendance Allowance helpline if you haven’t received your letter after eight weeks, on 0800 731 0122.

Your Attendance Allowance will be awarded for either a fixed or indefinite period.

If it is a fixed period, you’ll need to renew your claim before that period ends. You should get a letter and a new claim form from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). You should get the letter about four months before your Attendance Allowance is due to end. If it’s an indefinite period, you’ll never have to reapply.

2: Carer's Allowances

If you're age 16 or over and spend at least 35 hours a week caring for someone in your family that is ill or has a disability, you may be eligible for Carer`s Allowances.

You could receive up to £69.70 per week, if you care for someone at least 35 hours a week and they get certain benefits
You can apply for Carer’s Allowance at Gov.UK here (here) or over the phone on 0800 731 0297

Who is entitled to Carer's Allowance

You need to spend at least 35 hours a week supporting with washing and cooking, booking and taking to doctor appointments, helping with house tasks or managing with their bills and shoppings.
You are over 16 year old
You`re not in full-time education
You`re not studying for 21 hours a week or more
You`ve been in England, Scotland or Wales for at least 2 years
You`re not subject to immigration control
You`re earnings are no more then £132 a week after tax, national insurance and expenses.

Carer's Allowance effecting may other benefits?

Carer's Allowance can affect other benefits, but your total benefit payment could go up or may stay the same.

You won’t usually be able to claim the full Carer’s Allowance if you receive any of the following benefits:

State Pension
Employment and Support Allowance
Incapacity Benefit
Maternity Allowance
Bereavement or widow’s benefits
Severe Disablement Allowance
Contribution-based Jobseeker’s Allowance

It`s worth making an application as you could be entitled to an ‘underlying entitlement’. If your benefits are under a certain amount, you might get a smaller additional payment of Carer’s Allowance.

Applying for Carer's allowance

You can apply for Carer’s Allowance on the gov.uk website. or you can download an application form, but before applying you need to prepare all the information available.

National Insurance Number
Bank statement
Employment details and last payslip if you are working
P45 if you recently finished working
Details of your course, if you are studying
Deducted expenses-Pension Contribution, Childcare , etc

The application process

The process for applying to claim Carer’s Allowance is really simple Here’s a run through the process:

Apply online or download a hard copy of the form from gov.uk. You can also request a claim pack DS700 (or DS700(SP) if you’re getting a State Pension) by calling the Carer’s Allowance Unit on 0800 731 0297 or text phone 0800 731 0317.
For the online form, the person you’re caring for doesn’t need to sign their consent, but you must declare that you’ve made the person aware of the potential impact to their benefits, and they’ll be notified of this.
If you’re eligible, you may backdate your claim up to three months or you can apply three months in advance if you anticipate being able to meet the criteria for the allowance in the near future.

How long will it take to apply for Carer's allowance

There’s no set time period for a decision to be made.

You’ll receive a written decision, which will tell you whether you have been awarded Carer’s Allowance and from what date. If you’ve met the criteria for the benefit, but other overlapping benefits mean you can’t be paid it, the details of this will be included.

This is called ‘underlying entitlement’. This can also have a positive benefit. If may mean certain other benefits, such as Pension Credit, go up. All the details will be included in the letter. Whether this has a positive or negative impact is irrelevant – you should always apply to get a good idea of your situation.

If you’re successful, you should begin receiving your payments, including any back-dated payments.

Attendaceallowane

Carersallowance

3: Pension Credit

Pension Credit is an income-related benefit to help with your living costs if you`re over state pension age, to top-up their weekly income.

Guaranteed Credit is available if your weekly income is below £182.60 per week if your single or £278.70 for a couple, pension credit will top it up to that amount.
If your income is higher you might still be eligible for other benefits if you are receiving Pension Credit.
Apply by calling the Pension Credit claim line on 0800 99 1234 (textphone: 0800 169 0133

Am I eligible for Pension Guarantee?

If you’re a couple, both of you need to have reached state pension age to make a claim as a couple, unless you are claiming Housing Benefit.

If you’re over the pension age, you can claim Guarantee Credit if your weekly income is less than £182.60 as a single person, or £278.70 if you’re in a couple. To assess this, the Government looks at all of your income.

This includes both your basic and additional state pension, any income from other pensions, income from any jobs or social security benefits you have. As well as any savings and investments above £10,000.

If you fill out self-assessment tax returns, you’ll also need to estimate how much tax you expect to pay this financial year.

If you’re an eligible age, but your weekly income is higher than the limit, you can still claim Guarantee Credit if:

You have a severe disability
You are a carer
You have to pay housing costs like a mortgage

Pension Credt

Am I eligible for Pension Savings Credit?

If you’re over the pension age, you can claim Savings Credit if you have a minimum income of 182.60 a week if you’re single, and £278.70 a week if you’re in a couple.

Couples, where only one partner had reached state pension age before 6 April 2016, can also continue receiving savings credit if the older partner had reached 65 and qualified for savings credit before that date and has remained entitled to it since.

You'll get up to £14.48 Savings Credit a week if you`re single and if you have a parter, you`ll get up to £16.

Does Pension Credit effect my other benefits?

Pension Credit can positively affect your entitlement to benefits. If you get Pension Credit you`ll automatically benefit from other reductions or payments:

You’ll likely pay reduced or no Council Tax, unless other non-dependent people live with you. This is worth between £1,000-£2,000 per year.
You’ll be entitled to the winter Cold Weather Payment. This can be worth up to £25 per week when the weather is cold. As well as the Warm Home Discount, for those on low incomes. This is worth £140 per year.
You’ll have access to free NHS dental treatment, help towards the cost of glasses, and assistance with travelling to hospital.
If you rent your home, you may be entitled to help with your rent through Housing Benefit. This can be worth thousands of pounds every year.
If you own your home, you may be eligible for help with mortgage interest, ground rent and service charges.
If you’re a carer for someone, you may get an extra amount called Carer Premium, or Carer Addition. This is worth up to £36.85 per week.
If you’re over 75, from 2020 those receiving Pension Credit will get a free TV licence

How can I apply for Pension Credit?

To claim any type of Pension Credit you’ll need to be over the pension age. Usually, the pension age is 66 years old but it can depend on your gender and date of birth. If you are not sure ,simply check your State Pension Age. If you have applied for other benefits online, simply you can complete the Pension Credit Claim form online, otherwise you can call 0800991234 or 08001690133 and ask for Pension Credit clime form.

Before applying you need to have the following to hand:

National Insurance Number
Bank Account details with all information
Details of any disability or condition you may have
Details with all other pension or benefits you have claimed
Prove of your housing cost-Rent of Mortgage
Details about your partner if relevant

How is Pension Credit paid?

Once you have completed the Pension Credit and sent to the Pension Service, you’ll be informed of the outcome of your application by letter. This will provide you with details of how much you’ll get and when it’s to be paid. You can choose if you want to be paid monthly or weekly straight into your bank account.

4: Council Tax Reduction

Council Tax Reduction is a benefit to help those on low incomes and the people over the retirement age including those with a disability to hep pay their council tax bill.

Making council tax payments manageable can help older people, or those who have a disability, remain at home.

Council Tax Reduction is worked out differently depending on where you live, your circumstances and your household incomes. It might be a percentage discount of your council tax bill, a fixed discount, or a complete payment of your council tax bill.

It is also sometimes called council tax support or council tax relief.

How much is council Tax Reduction?

There’s no national government policy on how Council Tax Reduction is calculated. Every local council runs their own Council Tax Reduction schemes, so the exact amount of support available will be slightly different across the country.

The council will take a few different things into account when calculating your reduction:

Your age and date of birth
Type of benefits you already receive, e.g. pension credits
Your income and capital
Your location and how much council tax you pay
Number of people living in your property
Your physical and mental disability

You can make an application for Council Tax Reduction if you are in council tax debt or arrears, providing you are working towards payment. Citizens’ Advice has some really useful advice on dealing with council tax arrears.

Council Tax Reduction is for anyone who is on a lower income or who is severely physically disabled or mentally impaired. It doesn’t matter. You can qualify for Council Tax Reduction either way.

If you are living in the property registered as a person with a permanent physical disabilities you qualify for what’s known as the Disability Reduction Scheme if you meet one of the following conditions:

There is an additional bathroom or kitchen in the property that is needed by the disabled person.
There is a room (other than a bathroom, kitchen or toilet) needed by and mainly used by the disabled person.
There is enough space in the property for the disabled person to use a wheelchair indoors.

You may also qualify if you have had to leave a property empty due to a long-term stay at a care home, rehab or hospital.

If you living in the property on the grounds of being ` severely mentally impaired` you may qualify for Council Tax reduction if you meet all of the following conditions:

Have a certificate from a registered medical practitioner confirming this
You’re entitled to (but not necessarily claiming or in receipt of) one of a number of specified benefits which include: Attendance Allowance, Constant Attendance Allowance, Disability Living Allowance, the daily living component of Personal Independence Payment, or Employment and Support Allowance.

Other options for reducing Council Tax

There is also a 25% council tax discount for people living alone, or a sole adult in a property who is eligible to pay council tax. You can find more information on this here.

Council Tax Reducton

Applying for Council Tax Reduction

Before applying is good to have all the information to hand to make it easier and faster to submit your application:

You need to have : National Insurance Number, Bank account information and Details of any Disabilities or any Condition you have.

You can apply for yourself, or for someone else if they lack full capacity by applying online.
It will direct you to the relevant page on your local council’s website based on your postcode, which will tell you what you need to do next. You should apply in the same way for all types of reductions.

Your local authority will make a decision within 14 days of receiving all the evidence, and will send you a written confirmation of the decision. This should include information on how the council tax reduction has been worked out.

If your application is successful, the Local Authority will apply the amount of reduction straight to your Council Tax Account, which reduces the amount of Council Tax you have to pay. You’ll receive a new bill showing the new payment amounts.

5: Winter Fuel Payment

The Winter Fuel Payment is a benefit to help those over retirement age, to pay their household heating costs during the colder months. It’s an annual tax free payment made during winter.

It can be worth between £100-£300 per year depending on your circumstances.
You should receive the payment automatically if you receive other benefits, but you might need to make a claim using this form, or via phone on 0800 731 0160 or textphone 0800 731 0464.

Who is eligible for Winter Fuel Payment?

You qualify for a Winter Fuel Payment if both of the Following apply:

Be over the retirement age based on the data of birth
Lived in the UK during the qualifying week- this is a specific week of the year which it changes every year.

You will not qualify for a Winter Fuel Payment if you:

Are in the hospital and getting a free treatment for more then one year
You are on granted leave and cannot claim public funds
You were in prison for the qualifying week
Have lived in a care home for an extended time during the year, and got Pension Credit, Income Support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance or income-related Employment and Support Allowance

Winter Fuel Paymnt

How much is the Winter Fuel Payment?

How much you get depends on your circumstances during the qualifying week.

60-80 Year old Over 80 year old

You qualify and live alone (or none £200 £300

of the people you live with qualify)

You qualify and live with someone £100 £200

under 80 who also qualifies

You qualify and live with someone £100 £150

80 or over who also qualifies

You qualify, live in a care home £100 £150

and do not get relevant benefits

If you get relevant benefits, your payment may be different if you or your partner get one of the following Benefits :

Pension Credit
Jobseeker's Allowance
Employment and Support Allowance
Income Support

How can I apply Winter Fuel Payment?

If you’ve never received Winter Fuel Payment before, and are not receiving any relevant benefits or have deferred your state pension, you might not receive the payment automatically. You may need to make a claim. Once you have made the claim once, you should receive the benefits in future years automatically. You can only make a claim after August 1st for the following winter.

How to make a claim- call the Winter Fuel Payment Centre to claim by phone on: 0800 731 0160

Before you apply you need to have the fallowing to hand when you make a call:

National Insurance Number
Your bank account details
The data you were married if applicable

Once you have made the Winter Fuel Payment you will receive direct payment into your account, made in November or December. If you receive other regular benefit payments, it may be paid at the same time as these.

If the money is not paid into your account by 13 January you should call your specific benefits office using the details on your confirmation letter.

Further information

You can find more information about your benefits and Allowances at:

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