People nearing retirement age in the UK are reminded they will soon no longer be able to claim certain benefits. Some payments will stop once you receive your State Pension.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) latest data reveals that the State Pension is currently provided to 13 million people across the UK. This regular payment is valued at up to £230.25 per week for those on the New State Pension (claimed after 6 April 2016), or £176.45 weekly for the Basic State Pension (Category A or B).
The amount one receives from this contributory benefit hinges on the number of National Insurance years they have accumulated before reaching the current retirement age of 66. As reported by the Daily Record, a minimum of 10 years is required to qualify for any State Pension payment.
For those approaching the official retirement age later this year, it’s crucial to understand which benefits will persist, new ones you may now be eligible for, and those you can no longer apply for.
Your State Pension age aligns with your Pension Credit qualifying age unless you’re a man born prior to 6 December 1953.
You can verify your State Pension age and whether you’re eligible to start claiming Pension Credit on the ‘Check your State Pension age’ page of the GOV.UK website.
Benefits impacted by your pension age
Turn2us has produced a vital guide outlining the benefits you’re unable to claim from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) once you hit State Pension age or Pension Credit age. For comprehensive details on each topic mentioned below, head to the Turn2us website here.
Pension Credit age
Once you reach State Pension age you’re no longer eligible to claim:
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Income Support
- Universal Credit
Turn2us explains: « 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. »
State Pension age
Once you reach State Pension age you’re no longer able to claim:
- Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- Contributory/New Style Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
You’re unable to submit a fresh claim for Disability Living Allowance (DLA), Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Adult Disability Payment (ADP) – the devolved disability benefit which has now replaced all new PIP claims for Scottish residents – after you’ve reached State Pension age.
Nevertheless, if you were previously receiving DLA, PIP, or ADP you may renew your claim despite being over State Pension age. This is only possible provided you’re claiming for the identical health conditions you received the original award for and your previous claim concluded less than 12 months before reaching State Pension age.
Those residing in Scotland who are currently receiving DLA or PIP will be transitioned to the new devolved Social Security Scotland system this Spring. Bereavement Support Payment and Widowed Parent’s Allowance also cease to be available once you reach State Pension age.
Benefits not impacted by your State Pension age
Even if you’re over State Pension age, you can still claim these benefits:
- Child Benefit (administered by HMRC)
- Carer’s Allowance – your eligibility for the full financial component may be affected by your State Pension income
- Guardian’s Allowance
- Statutory Sick Pay (SSP)
You can also claim these benefits even if you’re over State Pension age, but only if you meet the specific income threshold for each benefit:
- Pension Credit
- Housing Benefit
- Council Tax Support
- Support for Mortgage Interest
- Help with Health Costs
- Winter Heating Payment – exclusive to Scotland
- Cold Weather Payment – only in England and Wales
- Warm Home Discount Scheme
- Winter Fuel Payment – from this year, only those over State Pension age who receive Pension Credit or other qualifying income-related benefits will get the money
- Pension Age Winter Heating Payment – only in Scotland, with the same qualifying rules as Winter Fuel Payment
For more information about benefits when you reach State Pension age, visit the Turn2Us website here.
