As you grow older, there are benefits and entitlements that you may qualify for, which could make it easier to maintain your quality of life and ensure you have access to the right care. Knowing the benefits and entitlements available for the elderly in the UK can ensure you have the right access to the financial support you need.

Considering you might not be able to work and your retirement plan might not be sufficient, these benefits and entitlements can help you live comfortably and independently longer. This guide looks at some of the benefits and entitlements that are available for older people and that you could take advantage of.

What are the Benefits Available for Elderly People in the UK?

The first category of financial support you can receive as an elderly person in the UK is benefits. There are quite a few, but each has different requirements and thresholds that must be met for you to qualify. These benefits include:

Attendance Allowance

This is a benefit payable to individuals over pension age who require assistance with specific daily living tasks, such as washing, eating, and dressing, due to disability or illness.

The amount received for this allowance varies but ranges between £68.10 to £101.75 a week.

Eligibility
  • You must be of state pension age
  • Should have a disability or illness that requires help with self-care, including physical and mental impairment, including dementia.
  • Have the required level of care and supervision for at least months before claiming unless you are terminally ill.

You may not be eligible for the attendance allowance if you already receive the Personal Independence Payment or Disability Living allowance and you are below the state pension age.

Christmas Bonus

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

One of the benefits of the Christmas bonus is that you don’t have to apply for it. It is paid automatically to eligible individuals. If you receive the qualifying benefits during the qualifying week, you should receive the payment automatically without needing to take any action.

Not everyone who receives benefits is eligible for the bonus. You only qualify if you receive certain benefits on a particular week. These benefits include Pension Credit, Disability Living Allowance, State Pension, and Attendance Allowance, among others.

Constant Attendance Allowance (CAA)

The CAA is a benefit extended 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 disability pension, and you also need to be under constant care and attention because of the injury or disability.

The CAA has four different rates. The rate is determined based on the nature of your disability and the level of care you require. The maximum amount currently is £166.20 per week. The application process for this benefit requires that you submit evidence of your injury or disability along with medical documentation to support the claim.

Council Tax Reduction

This is a means-tested benefit available to the elderly, designed to help you pay your council tax if you’re on a low income or have no income at all. The amount of reduction you will receive depends on various factors, including your income, savings, and household size. The amount of council tax you need to pay is also considered.

You may be eligible for additional support with your council tax if you’re living with dementia or caring for someone with dementia. Some people may be entitled to a full exemption from council tax, especially those with severe cognitive impairments, including dementia. Carers of such people may also be entitled to a discount on their council bill.

Pension Credit

Pension credit is also a means-tested benefit. It is designed to provide financial assistance to low-income elderly individuals. There are two parts to Pension Credit: Guarantee Credit and Savings Credit.

The guarantee credit provides a minimum level of income for people who have reached the qualifying age for a state pension, while the savings credit is an additional payment for those who have saved towards their retirement.

Although this benefit is available to many people, a third of the people fail to claim it. It is a substantial benefit that can provide an average of up to £3,300 per year if your claim is successful. To qualify for pension credit, you must have reached state pension age and have a low income or no income at all. It is possible to apply for Pension Credit even if you own your home or have savings.

TV License

If you receive pension credit and are over 75 years old, you may also be able to claim a free TV license for your household. The license covers everyone living at your address.

Winter Fuel Payment

This is a tax-free payment that can help you pay for your heating bills during the winter months. You could receive between £250 and £600 if you already receive State Pension or Pension Credit. You don’t need to apply for the benefit because it is sent to you automatically.

Bereavement Support Payment

For widowers who are under the state pension age, there is a bereavement support payment that you may be eligible for. You are eligible for the payment if you 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 up to £9,800 over 18 months.

Free Eye Tests and Dental Care

If you’re over 60 years old, you may be entitled to free NHS eye tests and free prescriptions. You may also be eligible for free dental treatment if you claim certain benefits and are over 60 years old. 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.

There is also the NHS Low Income Scheme, which can help with dental charges and the cost of travelling to receive NHS treatment. You can visit the NHS website to find out if you’re eligible for help with dental costs.

Hospital Travel Costs

The Health Travel Costs Scheme (HTCS) provides assistance with travel costs for individuals on low incomes who require travel to access NHS healthcare. For eligible individuals, the scheme can cover the cost of travel to and from the hospital, as well as other expenses, including unavoidable car parking and toll charges.

Blue Badge

This is a scheme that provides parking concessions for people with disability or health conditions that affect their mobility. If you have difficulty walking or have severe disability, you might be eligible for the Blue Badge. It allows you to park closer to your destination in designated parking spaces, sometimes at no cost.

These benefits and entitlements for the elderly are a great way to supplement financial support and access the healthcare and support you need to maintain independent living and a high quality of life.