Up to 1.9 million pensioners are living in poverty, according to The Joseph Rowntree Foundation. But many are failing to claim the benefits they’re entitled to. Don’t miss out on your money – here’s a list of benefits you could potentially claim and how to find out if you’re eligible.
State Pension
The State Pension gives you a regular taxable income for the rest of your life – as soon as you reach State Pension age.
It’s not means-tested, but the amount you get depends on how many qualifying years of National Insurance contributions or credits you’ve built up.
Find out more in our guide State Pension: an overview
Pension Credit
Pension Credit is for people who are on a low income. It’s designed to top up a pensioner’s income to a .
Many people entitled to Pension Credit don’t claim it.
So make sure you find out whether you qualify – and don’t miss out if you are.
Find out more in our guide Pension Credit
Help with Council Tax
Whether you own your home or rent, you could qualify for support from your local authority (or the Welsh and Scottish Governments) to help you pay your Council Tax.
Contact your local council to ask about support with Council Tax.
Find your local council on the GOV.UK website
In Northern Ireland, there’s a system of rates instead of Council Tax. Domestic rates for residential properties are based on the value of your home on 1 January 2005. Bills and payments are dealt with by the Land and Property Services (LPS) office.
If you’re on a low income, you might be entitled to rate relief. There are also allowances for lone pensioners (people living alone aged 70 or over) and disabled people.
Find out more on the nidirect website
Help with heating costs
Winter Fuel Payment
This is a tax-free payment of up to £300 to help people born on or before 5 October 1954 keep warm during winter. Some people call it the winter fuel allowance. The deadline for claiming the winter 2020/21 payment was 31 March 2021.
The amount you get depends on your age and who lives in your household.
If you’ve had the payment before, you should get it again without having to claim.
You should also get it automatically if you meet the age and residence criteria, and get any of the wide range of government benefits. These include:
- State Pension
- Pension Credit
- Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Employment and Support Allowance.
If you qualify, you’ll get a letter in October confirming how much money you can expect to receive.
The letter will also explain how you can update any incorrect information, such as your bank details.
Roughly three weeks after you get the letter – for most people this will be in November or December– the Winter Fuel Payment will be paid into your chosen bank account.
The payment reference on your bank statement will be ‘DWP Winter Fuel’.
Find out more about Winter Fuel Payment on the GOV.UK website
If you need to claim, call the Winter Fuel Payment helpline on 0800 731 0160.
Find out more on the GOV.UK website
In Northern Ireland, find more about the Winter Fuel Payment on the nidirect website
Cold Weather Payment
These £25 payments are made when your local temperature is either recorded as, or forecast to be, an average of zero degrees Celsius, or below over 7 consecutive days between 1 November and 31 March each year.
If you qualify for any of a range of other income-related benefits, including Pension Credit, you’ll qualify for Cold Weather Payments.
There’s no need to apply for it. If you qualify, it will be paid automatically.
To find out more on the GOV.UK website
Warm Homes Discount scheme
Certain people on a low income and getting means-tested benefits can get a deduction from their winter electricity bill through the Warm Homes Discount scheme. In 2020/21 this was worth £140.
There is now a consultation going on to look at extending the scheme for 2021/22. Final details are yet to be released.
Find out more about the Warm Home Discount, if you qualify and the energy suppliers involved on the GOV.UK website
Find answers for the most frequently asked questions on the Ofgem website
The scheme doesn’t apply in Northern Ireland as fuel poverty is devolved to the Northern Ireland Executive, which decides its own fuel poverty objectives and policies.
Insulation and heating schemes
There are many schemes that install insulation and heating improvements to make your home more energy efficient.
You’re likely to qualify if your home is poorly insulated or doesn’t have a working central heating system, and if you receive any of a range of income-related benefits – including Pension Credit.
The websites below have more information:
- The Simple Energy Advice – call 0800 4442020 (for England and Wales)
- Energy Saving Grants in Northern Ireland
- Home Energy Scotland– call 0808 808 2282 (for Scotland)
- Wales – Nest scheme – call 0808 808 2244
For more information on insulation and other ways to cut you energy bill, read our guide How to save money on gas and electricity bills
You might also be able to apply for a grant to make your home more energy efficient.
Find out more in our guide How to pay for home improvements
Health benefits
Everyone aged over 60 gets free prescriptions and eye tests.
You might also qualify for help towards:
- dental treatment
- travel costs to hospital
- glasses or contact lenses.
In Northern Ireland, everyone is entitled to free prescriptions.
Find out more about getting help with health-related costs on the NHS Choices website
Disability and care benefits
There are benefits for people who have disabilities, or specific care needs.
These benefits include Disability Living Allowance, which is gradually being replaced by Personal Independence Payment, and Attendance Allowance.
Find out more in our guide Benefits to help with your disability or care needs
Travel and TV benefits
Bus passes
If you live in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, you qualify for a free bus pass when you’re 60 or over.
In England, you qualify when you reach the female State Pension age.
If you’re a man, you qualify when you reach the State Pension age of a woman born on the same day.
If you live in a London borough and are over 60, you qualify for a free travel Oyster photocard.
Apply for an older person's bus pass on the GOV.UK website
Travel concessions
If you’re over 60 or disabled, find out about the travel concessions below.
- Free bus travel for older people in England, go to GOV.UK
- Free bus travel for disabled people in England, go to GOV.UK
- Concessionary travel in Scotland, go to Transport Scotland
- Concessionary travel in Wales, go to Transport for Wales
- Free bus travel and concessions in Northern Ireland, go to nidirect
- Oyster photocard for over 60s in London, go to Transort for London
Free passport
If you were born on or before 2 September 1929 and are a British national, you could qualify for a free passport.
You’ll need a full ten-year passport if you want to travel abroad, even if it’s for just a day.
Find out more and how to apply on the GOV.UK website
Free TV licence
If you’re over 75, your TV licence used to be free. However, since 1 August you have probably had to start paying for your TV licence.
There are still some over-75s who can get theirs for free or at a reduced rate.
Find out more in our guide Paying your TV Licence
Benefits for war pensioners and widows
If your husband, wife or civil partner died as a result of their service in HM Armed Forces, or during a time of war, you might be entitled to a War Widow’s or Widower’s Pension.
You can get a claim form from Veterans UK by calling 0808 1914 218 or download it from the GOV.UK website
Medical costs for war pensioners
If you need medical treatment because you were disabled while serving in the Armed Forces, you could get help towards your medical costs for your accepted disability.
Find out more about medical costs for war veterans on the GOV.UK website
War Disablement Pension
If you were injured or disabled while serving in the Armed Forces before 6 April 2005, you can get extra help towards your pension.
Find out more about War Disablement Pension on the GOV.UK website
Use an online benefit calculator
Using the online benefit calculator on the GOV.UK website is a good way to:
- check which benefits you might be entitled to
- estimate the amounts you might be able to claim
- show how the estimates would change if your circumstances changed.
The tool will ask you for anonymous information about your savings and income, as well as your spending on things such as rent, mortgage or childcare payments.