DWP help for older people worth more than £10,000 a year | Personal Finance | Finance

Millions of pensioners across the UK could be missing out on two separate benefits, worth a combined total of up to £10,040 over the 2025/26 financial year. One of these benefits is not means-tested and aims to assist older people with long-term health conditions, while the other provides additional financial support to those on a low income.

Pension Credit, which boosts annual income by an average of £4,300, aids those over State Pension age on a low income. Meanwhile, Attendance Allowance can offer extra financial support of up to £441.60 each month, or a maximum of £5,740.80 each year.

These payments are made separately from the State Pension, which is valued at up to £230.25 each week, or £921 every four-week payment period. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) estimates that more than 700,000 people are currently missing out on Pension Credit.

Similarly, it’s believed that more than a million pensioners are eligible for Attendance Allowance, which isn’t affected by income or savings, is tax-free and isn’t counted as income when claiming Pension Credit, as reported by the Daily Record.

Pension Credit

Pension Credit, which currently helps some 1.4 million people across Britain, boosts weekly income to a guaranteed minimum level of £227.10 for single pensioners or £346.60 for couples. This year, it’s worth an average of £4,300.

If you’re a single person on the New State Pension with a total weekly income below £227.10, or part of a couple with a combined weekly income of less than £346.60, you may be eligible for Pension Credit.

Even if you were awarded just £1 a week, this would entitle you to other financial support Pension Credit offers, including Council Tax discounts and assistance with heating bills this winter through the Warm Home Discount Scheme.

In May 2019, the law was changed so that a “mixed age couple”, a couple where one partner is of State Pension age and the other is not yet, are considered to be a “working age” couple when checking entitlement to means-tested benefits.

This implies they cannot claim Pension Credit or pension age Housing Benefit until they are both State Pension age.

If you qualify for Pension Credit you can also get other help, including a free TV licence if you’re aged 75 or over, council tax discounts, Housing Benefit if you rent the property you live in, help with NHS dental treatments, glasses, and transport costs for hospital appointments.

You can also get support for Mortgage Interest if you own the property you live in, help with your heating costs through the Warm Home Discount Scheme and the higher rates of Pension Age Winter Heating Payment, and a discount on the Royal Mail redirection service if you are moving house.

Older people, or friends and family, can quickly check their eligibility and get an estimate of what they may receive by using the online Pension Credit calculator on GOV.UK here.

Alternatively, pensioners can contact the Pension Credit helpline directly to make a claim on 0800 99 1234. Lines are open 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday.

Attendance Allowance

Attendance Allowance assists older people with the additional daily living costs associated with having a physical or mental health condition, disability or long-term illness. It’s important to note that you do not need to have a carer to make a claim.

Those over State Pension age claiming Attendance Allowance receive either £73.90 (lower rate) or £110.40 (higher rate) each week. As the benefit is typically paid every four weeks, this equates to either £295.60 or £441.60 per payment period.

If you’re living with a disability or illness and require assistance or supervision throughout the day or night, even if you’re not currently receiving it, you should consider applying for Attendance Allowance. This could include help with personal care such as dressing, eating, drinking, getting in and out of bed, bathing, showering, and using the toilet, or assistance to ensure your safety.

You should also apply if you struggle with personal tasks, for instance, if they take a long time, cause pain, or require physical support like leaning on a chair. Attendance Allowance isn’t solely for those with a physical disability or illness.

It’s also applicable if you need help or supervision throughout the day or night due to a mental health condition, learning difficulties, or a sensory condition such as being deaf or visually impaired.

Attendance Allowance isn’t means-tested, so your other income or savings won’t affect your eligibility – there’s no limit. It’s also tax-free and exempt from the Benefit Cap, meaning it won’t reduce any other benefits you’re already claiming.

Even if you’re still working and earning money, you can claim it.

To make a claim, you’ll need to complete a lengthy claim form. While this may seem intimidating at first, help is available from Citizens Advice and Independent Age.

Complete information on how to obtain the application form via post or telephone can be located on the GOV.UK website here.