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Benefits and Entitlements

Each year up to £3.5bn of Pension Credit and Housing Benefit goes unclaimed by older people. Let us help make it easier.

What benefits can you claim?

Age UK's Benefits Calculator can help you, quickly and easily, identify what means-tested benefits you could be entitled.

Get a benefits check

When you're on a low income

  • Pension Credit

    This is an income-related benefit to give you some extra money in retirement.

  • TV licence concessions

    This is a taxable benefit to support people who are actively looking for work.

  • Income Support

    If you’re under Pension Credit qualifying age and living on a low income, you could benefit from this.

  • Employment and Support Allowance

    This is a benefit for people who are unable to work due to illness or disability.

  • Help with one-off expenses

    There are different types of financial support available for people on a low income or without money.

  • Universal Credit

    This is a new benefit being introduced nationally. It will eventually replace many existing benefits.

Help you at home

  • Council Tax Support

    This is a property-based tax paid to local councils. Depending on your situation, you may be entitled to a discount, or even an exemption.

  • Housing benefit

    A benefit that helps people on a low income to cover their rent.

  • TV licence concessions

    You could be entitled to this if you're 75 or over, blind or sight-impaired or living in certain accommodation

  • Winter Fuel Payment

    This is made once a year to help with the heating costs for households that include someone born on or before 6 November 1953.

  • Cold Weather Payment

    If the average temperature in your area has been, or is expected to be, 0ºC (32ºF) or below for seven days in a row between November and March, you should get a payment of £25 a week.

For your health and wellbeing

  • Attendance Allowance

    This is a benefit to help older people who need extra help to stay independent at home because of an illness or disability

  • Carer's Allowance

    This is the main benefit to help carers, and even if you don’t think of yourself as a carer, you may still be able to claim it.

  • Disability Living Allowance

    This is a benefit for disabled people, but it’s slowly being replaced by Personal Independence Payment.

  • Health benefits

    Everyone aged over 60 gets free prescriptions and eye tests, but you may be entitled to help with other NHS health costs too.

  • Bereavement benefits

    If your husband, wife or civil partner has died, you may be able to claim bereavement benefits.

  • Personal Independence Payment

    This is a benefit for people who may need help because of a long-term illness or disability.

How the benefits system works

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For more information call the Age UK Advice Line on 0800 678 1602.
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