Benefits for older people
“I am 60 years old and have just come out of hospital. I am finding it difficult to cope and I don’t have much money. Is there any help available for me?”
The Department for Work and Pensions estimates that, in February 2005, around one in every five people over 60 did not claim their full entitlement. If you have a low income and/or modest savings you may be entitled to extra money.
- State Retirement Pension
- Pension Credit
- Winter Fuel Payments and Cold Weather Payments
- Attendance Allowance or Disability Living Allowance
- Carer's Allowance
- Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit
- Health costs and visits to hospital
Available from the Pension Service
State Retirement Pension
If you are a woman aged 60 or over or a man aged 65 or over you should claim any State Retirement Pension you are entitled to.
|topPension Credit
If you are over 60 and have a low income, you may qualify for the Guarantee element. If you are over 65 you may qualify for an additional Savings element of the Credit which is payable to people who have made extra provision for their retirement with, for example, a private pension or modest savings. You can get the Savings element even if you don't qualify for the Guarantee element. Your Pension Credit can be backdated for up to 12 months from the date you apply.
|topWinter Fuel Payments and Cold Weather Payments
Most people over the age of 60 should receive winter fuel payments automatically every year. In some circumstances you can receive cold weather payments if it gets very cold.
|topAvailable from the Disability and Carers Unit
Attendance Allowance or Disability Living Allowance
Depending on how long you have had your illness or disability and the type of help you need, you may claim Disability Living Allowance (DLA) if you are under 65, or Attendance Allowance (AA) if you are aged 65 or over. These allowances are not means tested, they are tax-free and do not affect claims for other entitlements such as your pension or Pension Credit.
|topCarer’s Allowance
If you already receive Disability Living Allowance or Attendance Allowance because you have extra care needs, then someone who helps care for you may be able to claim Carer’s Allowance or a premium with their benefits. If you live on your own you may be receiving a Severe Disability Premium as part of your entitlement to other benefits. This may be affected if someone else claims Carer's Allowance or receives a premium for helping to care for you. In these circumstances ask for advice before claiming.
|topHaringey Council can help with Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit
If you pay rent for your accommodation you can claim Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit. If you receive Income Support or Pension Credit (Guarantee element) you will normally receive 100% of your rent and Council Tax. Homeowners can claim Council Tax Benefit if they have a low income and modest savings. If you live alone or have a long-term illness or disability you may qualify for a Council Tax reduction even if you don’t qualify for Council Tax Benefit.
For information about Housing and Council Tax Benefits, write to:
Haringey Council
PO Box 10505
Wood Green
N22 7WJ
Tel 020 8489 2800
The National Health Service provides help with health costs and visits to hospital
If your income is low you may be entitled to help with health costs and visits to hospital.
Useful External Links
The following links are not part of the Haringey Council website. Please read our legal disclaimer before using these links
- The Pension Service
- Disability and Carers Unit
- National Health Service - health costs
- Information about winter fuel payments from the Pension Service
- Imp: a free, secure and confidential source of information for mature people
Update MePage Last Updated: 8 July 2008
This page belongs to the following categories :
- Health and social care > Social services
