A NUMBER of benefits including Universal Credit stop when you reach a certain age.
But once you become a pensioner you can start claiming other support instead.
GettyYou could start claiming new benefits when others stop[/caption]
For example, you can start benefiting from the state pension when you turn 66.
It’s currently worth up to £203.85 a week, although the exact amount you get depends on your circumstances.
You will lose out on others you might have been receiving beforehand though, including Universal Credit.
Benefits are generally divided into those you get when of working-age and those you get as a pensioner.
On top of the state pension there are other benefits designed just for those in older age, including those on low incomes.
Meanwhile some are designed to help regardless of age, like support for those who need extra care.
Here we explain the benefits which stop at state pension age, what you can continue claiming and new help available.
Don’t forget state pension is different to a pension you may have through work or set up yourself, which you can access from the age of 55.
Which benefits stop at state pension age?
There are several benefits that stop when either you or your partner reach the state pension age, according to charity Turn2Us:
Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)Income supportUniversal Credit
So if you’re in a couple and are different ages then it’s when the youngest person reaches state pension age that joint Universal Credit claims will stop.
Two benefits stop when you reach state pension age, and regardless of your partner’s age:
Contribution-based JSAContributory ESA
Two further benefits available to the bereaved also stop:
Bereavement Support PaymentWidowed Parent’s Allowance
There are other benefits which you can’t make a new claim for after state pension age too – but if you are already claiming them, they won’t stop.
Disability Living Allowance (DLA)Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
You can also renew a claim for them after state pension age, as long as it’s for the same issue and you previous claim ended less than one year ago.
Which benefits continue after state pension age?
There are several other benefits that you can continue to get after reaching the state pension age, if eligible (for instance, your income is low).
They include:
Child BenefitCarer’s AllowanceGuardian’s AllowanceStatutory Sick PayHousing BenefitCouncil Tax supportSupport for mortgage interestWorking tax credits (if you already get it, but not for new claims)Child tax credits (if you already get it, but not for new claims)Help with health costsCold Weather paymentsWarm Home Discount Scheme
What benefits can I start claiming after state pension age?
As well as getting your state pension, you might be eligible for other benefits designed specifically for those in retirement.
Pension credit gives you extra money to help with your living costs if you’re over the state pension age and on a low income.
Typically, it is worth around £3,000 a year on average, and you can get extra help if you’re a carer, disabled, or responsible for a child.
You can get pension credit when you reach state pension age, 66.
Pension credit – even if it’s just worth pennies to you – unlocks many more discounts, like a free TV licence, so it’s worth claiming.
Attendance allowance and a senior railcard are also available to cut costs for pensioners.
How to check how much state pension you can get
You can use the Government’s tool on its website to find out how many years of National Insurance contributions (NICs) you have and how much state pension you’re likely to get.
You need at least 10 years of qualifying National Insurance contributions to get any state pension payments at all, although this doesn’t have to be from 10 years work in a row.
The maximum new state pension is only paid to those with 35 years NICs.
There may be gaps if you were unemployed, lived abroad or took time off to care for children or relatives, which means you could get a lower amount.
It is possible to make voluntary National Insurance contributions to top up your record, usually from the previous six years.
You don’t get the state pension automatically and you’ll have to start making a claim for it when you turn the right age – here’s how.
You can also decide to defer claiming and could get more if you do decide to take it later.
How to check what other benefits you can get at state pension age
Using a benefits calculator can help you claim all the money you’re entitled to so you’re not missing out.
Charity Turn2Us’ benefits calculator works out what you could get.
Entitledto’s free calculator works out whether you qualify for various benefits, tax credits and Universal Credit.
MoneySavingExpert.com and charity StepChange both have benefits tools powered by Entitledto’s data.
You can use Policy in Practice’s calculator to not only find out which benefits you could receive but also how much cash you’ll have leftover each month after paying for housing costs.
Your exact entitlement will only be clear when you make a claim, but calculators can show you what you could be eligible for.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing [email protected]