Pensioners could be entitled to more money than they are currently receiving, boosting their annual income to £18,500 a year. However, many of the 13 million pensioners in Scotland, England or Wales may not be aware of the extra support available.
What you can apply for depends on where you are located in the UK, with payments varying between Scotland and England and Wales. In England and Wales, there is Attendance Allowance, while in Scotland, there is the Pension Age Disability Payment (PADP). These are not means-tested and are worth either £3,988 or £5,959 this year. Plus, some pensioners are entitled to Pension Credit.
The New State Pension is worth £12,547 a year, which means with these extra benefits, retirees could receive more than £18,000 a year.
What is Attendance Allowance?
Attendance Allowance is a benefit that helps with extra costs if a person has a disability or health condition severe enough that they need someone to help look after them. It’s paid at two different rates, and the amount you receive depends on the level of care that you need.
Recipients could get £76.70 or £114.60 a week to help with personal support if they have a physical disability, a mental disability, or a health condition, and they are of State Pension age. However, it does not cover mobility needs. Meanwhile, a recipient could get extra Pension Credit, Housing Benefit or Council Tax Reduction if they get Attendance Allowance. Additionally, a person does not need someone to care for them to claim.
What is the Pension Age Disability Payment (PADP)?
The Pension Age Disability Payment (PADP) is replacing Attendance Allowance in Scotland, and those who already get Attendance Allowance in Scotland do not need to do anything.
Like Attendance Allowance, Pension Age Disability Payment can give you extra money if you have care needs because of a disability or long-term health condition and you have reached State Pension age. The rates are the same as England and Wales. If you are terminally ill, you automatically get a higher rate.
How much is Pension Credit?
Around 1.4 million people are currently supported by Pension Credit in the UK. There is a guaranteed minimum weekly amount of £238.00 for single pensioners or £363.25 for couples. It is worth on average £4,300 this year.
To be eligible as a couple, you and your partner must both have reached State Pension age, and one of you must be receiving Housing Benefit for people over State Pension age. To assess eligibility, the DWP will calculate your weekly income. If you are eligible, your weekly income is brought to £238 if you’re single, and your joint weekly income comes to £363.25 if you have a partner.
