Benefits If You Are Over State Pension Age

You can get a range of benefits if you're over State Pension age and you have an illness or disability. The extra money can help with the cost of your care.

You can check your State Pension age on GOV.UK.

Attendance Allowance

Attendance allowance is for people over State Pension age who have a disability severe enough to need someone to help look after them. You must have needed help for at least 6 months (unless you are terminally ill).

You cannot usually get Attendance Allowance if you live in a care home and your care is paid for by your local authority.

There are 2 rates:

• a lower rate if you need help either in the day or at night
• a higher rate if you need help both day and night

It does not matter how much income or savings you have.

Find out about Attendance Allowance on GOV.UK, including how to claim.

Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit

Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit is a weekly payment you can get if either:

• you're disabled because of an accident at work
• you have an illness that was caused by work or an employment training scheme

The amount you get depends on your circumstances.

You cannot get Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit if you were self-employed at the time of the accident.

Find out about Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit on GOV.UK, including how to claim.

Constant Attendance Allowance

Constant Attendance Allowance is a payment for people who are ill or disabled because of specific circumstances.

You can get Constant Attendance Allowance if you receive Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit or a War Disablement Pension and you need daily care because of a disability.

How much you get depends on the extent of your disability and the amount of care you need.

If you get Constant Attendance Allowance, you cannot get Attendance Allowance as well. But you may be able to get a top up to Constant Attendance Allowance.

Find out about Constant Attendance Allowance on GOV.UK, including how to claim.

Other benefits for older people

You may also be eligible for these benefits:

• Pension Credit (GOV.UK)
• Housing Benefit (GOV.UK)
• Council Tax Reduction (GOV.UK)

If you get Attendance Allowance, you could get extra Pension Credit, Housing Benefit or Council Tax Reduction.

You may also be entitled to:

• help with health costs
• a Cold Weather Payment (GOV.UK)
• a Winter Fuel Payment (GOV.UK)

Check what benefits you can get

Check what you are entitled to on the entitledto website

Carer's Allowance

If you get Attendance Allowance or another disability-related benefit and you have a carer, they may be able to get Carer's Allowance (on GOV.UK).

Get help and advice

Get benefits advice plus help filling in claim forms from:

• Age UK Call 0800 678 1602
• Independent Age Call 0800 319 6789
• Citizens Advice Call 0800 144 8848

How to challenge a benefit decision

You can challenge a benefit decision if:

• your benefit payment is stopped
• your claim for a benefit is refused

Find out about challenging a benefit decision on the Carers UK website.

If you want to find out more about this particular topic you can visit the Original article on the NHS website. If you are worried by any aspect of your health make sure you go and see your doctor or book an appointment at your local clinic.