Two benefits could boost your income significantly (Image: Getty Images)
Many might not be aware that they could qualify for two separate benefits, worth a combined total of up to £9,542 in the current financial year. This will increase to £9,940 for 2025/26 due to the annual uprating in April.
Pension Credit assists those over State Pension age on a low income by increasing annual income by around £4,200 on average. Meanwhile, Attendance Allowance can offer additional financial support of up to £434 each month – some £5,642 each year – for those with a long-term health condition or disability.
Attendance Allowance payments will rise by 1.7 per cent from April, making them worth either £5740 over 2025/26 for those on the higher rate and £3,842 for people on the standard rate. Currently, there are 12.9 million people over State Pension age and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) estimates 760,000 are eligible for Pension Credit and not claiming the income-related benefit.
Over a million pensioners are reportedly eligible for Attendance Allowance, a benefit that is not influenced by income or savings, is tax-free and does not count as income when applying for Pension Credit. Pension Credit currently aids 1.4 million individuals, reports the Daily Record.
It boosts weekly income to a guaranteed minimum level of £218.15 for single pensioners or £332.95 for couples. On average, it’s worth £3,900 annually.
Pension Credit
If you’re a single individual on the new State Pension with a total weekly income below £218.15, or part of a couple with a combined weekly income of less than £332.95, you may be eligible for Pension Credit. Similarly, if you’re over 65 and reached State Pension age before April 6, 2016 and on the Basic State Pension, you may still qualify for Pension Credit if your weekly income is less than £260.68 if you’re single or £380.55 if you’re part of a couple.
An award of just £1 per week can unlock access to other financial support, including the 2025/26 Winter Fuel Payment, or Pension Age Winter Heating Payment in Scotland. In May 2019, the law changed so a ‘mixed age couple’ – a couple where one partner is of State Pension age and the other is under it – are considered to be a ‘working age’ couple when checking entitlement to means-tested benefits.
This means they can’t claim Pension Credit or pension age Housing Benefit until both partners reach State Pension age. Prior to this change by the DWP, a mixed-age couple could be eligible for the more generous State Pension age benefits when just one partner reached State Pension age.
If you qualify for Pension Credit, you can also get other help. The quickest way to check eligibility for Pension Credit is by using the online Pension Credit calculator on GOV.UK. Alternatively, pensioners can contact the Pension Credit helpline directly to make a claim on 0800 99 1234 – lines are open from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday.
Attendance Allowance
Currently, Attendance Allowance is assisting over 1.6 million elderly individuals across Great Britain with the additional daily living expenses associated with having a physical or mental health condition, disability, or long-term illness. It’s important to note that you don’t need to have a carer to apply for this benefit.
Those over the State Pension age who are claiming Attendance Allowance can receive either £72.65 (lower rate) or £108.55 (higher rate) each week. Typically, this benefit is paid every four weeks, which amounts to either £290.60 or £434.20 per payment period – a total of approximately £5,644 over the 2024/25 financial year.
Who is eligible to claim?
If you have a disability or illness and require assistance or supervision throughout the day or at times during the night – even if you’re not currently receiving that help – you should consider applying for Attendance Allowance. This could include needing help with personal care tasks such as getting dressed, eating or drinking, getting in and out of bed, bathing or showering, and using the toilet.
It could also be necessary if you need help to stay safe. You should also apply if you struggle with personal tasks, for example, if they take a long time, cause you pain, or if you need physical support, like a chair to lean on.
Attendance Allowance isn’t just for people with a physical disability or illness.
You should also claim if you need help or supervision throughout the day or night and have a mental health condition, learning difficulties, or a sensory condition – such as being deaf or visually impaired. Attendance Allowance isn’t means-tested so it doesn’t matter what other income you have coming in or how much you have in savings – there’s no limit.
Moreover, it is tax-free and you will be exempt from the Benefit Cap, meaning you won’t have money deducted from any other benefits you’re already claiming. You can also apply for it if you’re still employed and earning.
To make a claim, you’ll need to fill out an extensive application form for Attendance Allowance. Although it may seem daunting at first, help is available from Citizens Advice and Independent Age.
Comprehensive information on how to obtain the application form by post or phone can be found on the GOV. UK website.
