Benefit Entitlement
What benefits are available to you?
When considering your best options for funding care, the first stage is to ensure that all state benefit entitlements are explored.
Here we consider the main benefits – but it is important to stress that depending on an individual’s circumstances and needs, there may be other benefits to which you, or your loved one, could be entitled to
Pension Credits
Pension Credits are a benefit for those over the age of 65 that is split into two parts – Guarantee Credit and Savings Credit.
- Guarantee credit provides a guaranteed minimum level of income by topping up your weekly pension if it is below a particular threshold, which changes if you are single or living with a partner. These amounts may increase further depending on individual circumstances. For example, if you are disabled then any addition will be assessed at the time of application
- Savings credit is an extra payment for those that have made some provision for their retirement, for example savings/investments or a second pension. The level of benefit for savings credit changes depending on whether you live alone or with a partner.
Depending on your situation, you may be entitled to additional funds, for example if your severely disabled or responsible for a child.
Attendance Allowance
Attendance Allowance is a tax-free benefit payable to those aged 65 or over who need help with personal care due to physical or mental disability. It is paid at two different rates, which depends on how much care and support you require.
Usually to qualify you must be aged 65 or over and at least one of the following must apply:
- You have a physical disability (including sensory disability, such as blindness), a mental disability (including learning difficulties), or both.
- Your disability is severe enough for you to need help caring for yourself or someone to supervise you.
- You have needed help and support for at least six months.
Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
Personal Independence Payment (PIP) has replaced Disability Living Allowance (DLA), and is a financial benefit that can help with extra costs if you have a disability or long-term health condition.
To be eligible, you must:
Be between the ages of 16 and 65.
Have difficulty with daily living or your mobility or both.
Expect your difficulties continue for at least nine months.
Carer’s Allowance
Carer’s Allowance is a benefit to help people who care for a disabled person. You don’t have to be related to or live with the person you care for. You may be able to get Carer’s Allowance if you:
- Are aged 16 or over
- Spend at least 35 hours a week caring for a person
For every week that you get Carer’s Allowance, you’ll also get National Insurance Credits which will be paid to you automatically. You may also be able to apply for other benefits.
Council Tax Reduction
Council Tax Reduction means that your council tax bill will be discounted, dependant upon your circumstances. To qualify for this, you will be assessed on:
- Where you live
- Your circumstances including income, dependants, benefits, savings and pension
- Your household circumstances i.e. your partners financial assets and income
Council Tax Reduction has replaced the Council Tax Benefit.
Heating Benefits
There are different benefits available towards heating and energy bills during the winter or periods of severe cold weather
- Winter Fuel Payment – a payment to help fund your heating bills. This is available if you are of a certain age and receive a State Pension and another social security benefit. This is usually awarded automatically, but you may have to apply for this yourself if you are eligible.
- Cold Weather Payment – a payment provided when the average temperature in your area is recorded, or forecast to be, zero degrees Celsius or below for seven consecutive days between November and March.
- Warm Home Discount Scheme – a one-off payment that is paid directly to your energy provider and removed from your gas or electricity bill.