People reaching State Pension age can no longer make new claims for a range of benefits, including Universal Credit, Income Support and Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA), according to guidance from the charity Turn2us.
The State Pension currently supports 13.3 million people across Great Britain, including more than 1.1 million living in Scotland, according to the latest figures from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). The New State Pension is worth up to £241.30 per week for claims made after April 6, 2016, while the Basic State Pension (Category A or B) pays up to £184.90 per week.
How much someone receives depends on their National Insurance record, with at least 10 years needed to qualify for any State Pension payment. The State Pension age has started a phased rise from 66 to 67, with people born between March 6, 1961 and April 5, 1977 able to claim once they reach 67. A further rise from 67 to 68 is set to be implemented in the mid-2040s.
Benefits stopped at Pension Credit age
Once you reach State Pension age, you can no longer claim Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), Income Support or Universal Credit. Your State Pension age is the same as your Pension Credit qualifying age unless you are a man born before December 6, 1953.
Turn2us advises: "If you live with a partner and one of you is pension age and the other is not yet pension age, benefit entitlement can be complicated." The charity recommends using its benefit calculator or getting help from a benefits adviser.
Benefits stopped at State Pension age
At State Pension age, you can no longer claim Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) or Contributory/New Style Employment and Support Allowance (ESA). You also cannot make a new claim for Disability Living Allowance (DLA), Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Adult Disability Payment (ADP) - the devolved disability benefit that has replaced all new and existing PIP claims for people in Scotland.
However, if you were already receiving DLA, PIP or ADP, you can renew the claim after reaching State Pension age, provided you are claiming for the same health conditions and your last claim ended less than 12 months before you reached State Pension age. Bereavement Support Payment and Widowed Parent's Allowance are also not available once you reach State Pension age.
Benefits you can still claim
You can claim Child Benefit (delivered by HMRC), Carer's Allowance, Guardian's Allowance and Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) even if you are over State Pension age. However, you may not be eligible for the full financial element of Carer's Allowance depending on your State Pension income.
Other benefits can still be claimed if you meet benefit-specific income thresholds, including Pension Credit, Housing Benefit, Council Tax Support, Support for Mortgage Interest, Help with Health Costs, Winter Heating Payment (Scotland only), Cold Weather Payment (England and Wales only), Warm Home Discount Scheme, Winter Fuel Payment and Pension Age Winter Heating Payment (Scotland only, with the same qualifying rules as Winter Fuel Payment). For full details, visit the Turn2us website.
