Brits are being alerted that a broad range of benefits become unavailable upon reaching State Pension age. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has unveiled new data showing that the State Pension is offering vital financial aid to 12.9 million individuals across Great Britain.
The current value of this regular payment stands at up to £221.20 per week for those on the New State Pension (claimed after April 6, 2016), or £169.50 weekly for the Basic State Pension (Category A or B). The amount someone receives from this contributory benefit depends on their National Insurance years accrued before reaching the current retirement age of 66 – a minimum of 10 years is required to qualify for any State Pension payment.
For those nearing the official retirement age in the coming months, it’s crucial to understand which benefits will continue, which new ones you may now be eligible for, and those you can no longer make a new claim for, reports the Daily Record.
Your State Pension age is the same as your Pension Credit qualifying age unless you are a man born before December 6, 1953. You can verify your State Pension age and whether you can begin claiming Pension Credit on the ‘Check your State Pension age’ page of the GOV.UK website.
For comprehensive details on each of the topics listed below, visit the Turn2us website.
Pension Credit age
When you reach State Pension age you can no longer claim:
Upon reaching State Pension age, UK citizens face significant changes to their benefit entitlements. The financial guidance body Turn2us cautions: “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.”
They recommend utilising their benefits calculator to ascertain potential claims or to consult a benefits adviser for personalised advice.
As individuals hit State Pension age, they are barred from initiating new claims for a range of benefits. Starting anew with Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Adult Disability Payment (ADP) isn’t on the cards past this point.
However, if you are in receipt of these benefits already, reapplication is permissible if it’s tied to the same health condition as your previous claim, and that claim concluded less than one year ago.
Certain support mechanisms like Bereavement Support Payment and Widowed Parent’s Allowance stop once State Pension age is achieved, underlining a shift in available assistance. Nonetheless, some benefits persist after surpassing State Pension age, untouched by the age boundary.
Benefits not affected by your State Pension age
Even if you are over State Pension age, you can still claim these benefits:
- Carer’s Allowance – you may not be eligible for the full financial element depending on your income from State Pension
- Statutory Sick Pay (SSP)
- Child Benefit (delivered by HMRC)
- Guardian’s Allowance
Additionally, there are other benefits that you can claim if you meet the specific income threshold for each benefit:
- Housing Benefit
- Help with Health Costs
- Pension Credit
- Warm Home Discount Scheme
- Support for Mortgage Interest
- Child Tax Credit (HMRC)- you can’t make new claims for this, but if you’re already getting it you can carry on receiving it
- Winter Fuel Payment – only those over State Pension age in receipt of Pension Credit or other qualifying income-related benefits will receive the money from this year – find out more here
- Working Tax Credit (HMRC) – you can’t make new claims for this, but if you’re already getting it you can carry on receiving it
- Cold Weather Payment – now replaced by new Winter Heating Payment in Scotland
- Council Tax Support
