Up to 2.1 million pensioners are living in poverty, according to the Joseph Rowntree Foundation. But many are failing to claim the benefits they’re entitled to. Don’t miss out on your money – here’s a list of benefits you could potentially claim and how to find out if you’re eligible.
State Pension
The State Pension gives you a regular taxable income for the rest of your life – as soon as you reach State Pension age.
It’s not means-tested, but the amount you get depends on how many qualifying years of National Insurance contributions or credits you’ve built up.
Find out more in our guide State Pension: an overview
Check for lost pensions
There is an estimated £26.6 billion sitting in lost pension pots. It’s free to check if you have any lost pensions from previous jobs.
Find out more in our guide Find my lost pension.
Pension Credit
Pension Credit is for people who are on a low income. It’s designed to top up a pensioner’s income to a guaranteed minimum level.
Many people entitled to Pension Credit don’t claim it.
So make sure you find out whether you qualify – and don’t miss out if you are.
Find out more in our guide Pension Credit
Use our Benefits Calculator
If you’re living on a low income or have had an income shock, use our Benefits Calculator to quickly find out what you could be entitled to
Help with Council Tax
Whether you own your home or rent, you could qualify for support from your local authority (or the Welsh and Scottish Governments) to help you pay your Council Tax.
Contact your local council to ask about support with Council Tax.
Help with Rates in Northern Ireland
Domestic rates for residential properties are based on the value of your home on 1 January 2005. Bills and payments are dealt with by the Land and Property Services (LPS) office.
If you’re on a low income, you might be entitled to rate relief. There are also allowances for lone pensioners (people living alone aged 70 or over) and disabled people.
Find out more in a guide to ratesOpens in a new window on nidirect
Help with heating costs
Winter Fuel Payment 2024
This is a tax-free payment of up to £300 to help people born on or before 25 September 1957 keep warm during winter. Some people call it the winter fuel allowance.
If you live in England or Wales
If you live in Northern Ireland
You’ll only get the Winter Fuel Payment if you’re above State Pension age and claiming a means-tested benefit.
However, pensioners in Northern Ireland who are no longer eligible for a Winter Fuel Payment will get a one-off £100 payment instead. This will be paid automatically before the end of March 2025.
If you live in Scotland
If you live in Scotland you’ll get an equivalent payment this winter if you're eligible. The payment will be automatic, meaning you don’t have to make a claim. You’ll have received a letter containing details of your payment.
This will be eventually replaced by the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment.
How does the Winter Fuel Payment work?
The amount you get depends on your age and who lives in your household.
If you’ve had the payment before, you should get it again without having to claim, if you meet the criteria.
You should also get it automatically if you meet the age and residence criteria, and get any of the wide range of government benefits. These include:
Pension Credit
Universal Credit
income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
Income Support
Child Tax Credit
Working Tax Credit
If you qualify, you will have received a letter in October or November confirming how much money you can expect. If you applied for Pension Credit later and are eligible, you’ll get your payment later. If you live with someone, only one of you will get the payment even if you’re both eligible.
The letter will also explain how you can update any incorrect information, such as your bank details.
Roughly three weeks after you get the letter – for most people this will have been November or December – the Winter Fuel Payment will be paid into your chosen bank account.
The payment reference on your bank statement will be ‘DWP Winter Fuel’.
Find out more about Winter Fuel PaymentOpens in a new window on GOV.UK
If you need to claim, call the Winter Fuel Payment helpline on 0800 731 0160
Cold Weather Payment
These £25 payments are made when your local temperature is either recorded as, or forecast to be, an average of zero degrees Celsius, or below, over 7 consecutive days between 1 November and 31 March each year.
If you qualify for any of a range of other income-related benefits, including Pension Credit, you’ll qualify for Cold Weather Payments.
There’s no need to apply for it. If you qualify, it will be paid automatically.
To find out more about cold weather paymentsOpens in a new window on GOV.UK
Warm Home Discount scheme
In England, Scotland and Wales, certain people on a low income and getting means-tested benefits can get a £150 discount on their winter electricity bill – called the Warm Home Discount.
Your supplier should give you the discount automatically between October and March if you receive pension credit or other eligible benefits. You only need to apply to your energy company if you're on a low income in Scotland. If you were expecting a discount but haven’t received one, get in touch with your supplier.
In Northern Ireland you might be able to claim help to make your home more energy efficientOpens in a new window
Find out more at GOV.UK about the Warm Home Discount, if you qualifyOpens in a new window and the energy suppliers involved.
Insulation and heating schemes
There are many schemes that install insulation and heating improvements to make your home more energy efficient.
You’re likely to qualify if your home is poorly insulated or doesn’t have a working central heating system, and if you receive any of a range of income-related benefits – including Pension Credit.
| If you live in: | Find more information at: |
|---|---|
|
England and Wales |
|
|
Northern Ireland |
|
|
Scotland |
For more information on insulation and other ways to cut you energy bill, read our guide How to reduce your energy bills
You might also be able to apply for a grant to make your home more energy efficient.
Find out more in our guide How to pay for home improvements
Health benefits
In England, everyone aged over 60 gets free prescriptions and eye tests.
You might also qualify for help towards:
- dental treatment
- travel costs to hospital
- glasses or contact lenses.
In Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, everyone is entitled to free prescriptions.
Find out more about getting help with health-related costsOpens in a new window on NHS Choices
Disability and care benefits
There are benefits for people who have disabilities, or specific care needs.
These benefits include Disability Living Allowance, which is gradually being replaced by Personal Independence Payment if you’re under State Pension age and Attendance Allowance if you’re over State Pension age.
Find out more in our guide Benefits to help with your disability or care needs
Travel and TV benefits
Bus passes
If you live in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, you qualify for a free bus pass when you’re 60 or over.
In England, you qualify when you reach State Pension age.
If you live in a London borough and are over 60, you qualify for a free travel Oyster photocard.
Travel concessions
If you’re over 60 or disabled, find out about the travel concessions below and go to:
- GOV.UK for free bus travel for older people in EnglandOpens in a new window
- GOV.UK for free bus travel for disabled people in EnglandOpens in a new window
- Transport for London for Oyster photocard for over 60s in LondonOpens in a new window
- Transport Scotland for concessionary travel in ScotlandOpens in a new window
- Transport for Wales for concessionary travel in WalesOpens in a new window
- nidirect for free bus travel and concessions in Northern IrelandOpens in a new window
Free passport
If you were born on or before 2 September 1929 and are a British national, you could qualify for a free passport.
You’ll need a full ten-year passport if you want to travel abroad, even if it’s for just a day.
Find out more about fees and how to applyOpens in a new window on GOV.UK
Free TV licence
You have to pay for a TV licence, unless you or a partner are over 74 and get Pension Credit.
See TV licensingOpens in a new window for more information.
Benefits for war widows or widowers
If your husband, wife or civil partner died or were injured or became ill as a result of their service in Her Majesty’s (HM) Armed Forces, or during a time of war before 6 April 2005, then you might be entitled to a War Widow’s or Widower’s Pension.
If they died or sustained an injury or illness due to serving in a conflict on or after 6 April 2005, you might be entitled to compensation through the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme.
Find out more about War widows and widowers’ pensions and compensationOpens in a new window on GOV.UK
Medical costs for war pensioners
If you need medical treatment because you were disabled while serving in the Armed Forces, you could get help towards your medical costs for your accepted disability.
Find out more about medical costs for war veteransOpens in a new window on GOV.UK
War Disablement Pension
If you were injured or disabled while serving in the Armed Forces before 6 April 2005, you can get extra help towards your pension.
Find out more about War Disablement PensionOpens in a new window on GOV.UK
Use an online benefit calculator
Using our Benefits Calculator is a good way to:
- check which benefits you might be entitled to
- estimate the amounts you might be able to claim
- show how the estimates would change if your circumstances changed.
The tool will ask you for anonymous information about your savings and income, as well as your spending on things such as rent, mortgage or childcare payments.
