Older people with long-term health issues urged to contact charity directly for help claiming income top-ups

Daily Record

26-05-2025

Independent Age can help older people with health issues claim Attendance Allowance.
Pension Credit – Could you or someone you know be eligible?
Independent Age is urging older people with long-term health conditions to contact them directly for help claiming benefits, Council Tax discounts and getting assistance for their daily care needs. The charity has launched a 'living well with long-term health conditions' campaign to encourage more people to make sure they are receiving all the support they are entitled to.
Independent Age said: 'Whether you've just been diagnosed or have been managing your condition for some time, life can have its challenges when you have a long-term health condition. But with a few simple steps and the right support, you can take control, manage your condition and live well.'
People can view or download the full guide online here, or order a free copy from the charity. It's worthwhile noting that you can also listen to the online version.
Care needs assessment
Independent Age explained that if you're finding it harder to manage day-to-day tasks, a care needs assessment could help you identify the care and support you need - and the best ways to access it.
Help like meals on wheels or a care worker to assist with tasks like washing, dressing or taking medication. A care needs assessment from your local council could help you get the support that truly makes a difference.
To find out about getting a care needs assessment, the charity advises people to contact their local council's adult social care department to find out what help is available and how to access it.
Full details about care needs assessment can be found on the Independent Age website here.
Reduce your Council Tax
Older people on a low income in Scotland may be able to get a Council Tax Reduction, a unique discount only available north of the border. In England and Wales, older people may be eligible for a Council Tax discount. The names may be different, but the premise is the same and all accessed through your local council.
Most councils have a dedicated Council Tax section on their local authority website, which lists different ways to qualify for a bill discount/reduction.
Independent Age has a video to help people take the first step in reducing your Council Tax, which you can view here.
There is also a detailed guide with all the information you need which you can download here.
Check for extra financial help
Independent Age said: 'So many people are not claiming the benefits that they are entitled to and as a result, missing out on extra money each week. Even if you think you're getting everything you're entitled to, it's worth checking.'
You can use the free, confidential online benefits calculator to work out exactly what you can claim and get a personalised report. Full details here.
Many of the 13 million pensioners across the UK may not be aware they could be eligible for two separate benefits, worth a combined total of up to £10,040 over the 2025/26 financial year. One of the benefits is not means-tested and aims to help older people with long-term health conditions while the other can provide extra financial support to those on a low income.
Pension Credit helps those over State Pension age on a low income by boosting annual income by an average of £4,300, while Attendance Allowance can provide additional financial support of up to £441.60 each month - some £5,740.80 each year.
Both these payments are paid separately from the State Pension, which is now worth up to £230.25 each week, or £921 every four-week payment period. The full, New State Pension will be worth £11,973 this year.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) estimates 760,000 are eligible for Pension Credit and not claiming the income-related benefit.
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Similarly, over one million pensioners are believed to be eligible for Attendance Allowance, which is not affected by income or savings, is tax-free and is not counted as income when it comes to claiming Pension Credit.
Pensioners in Scotland can now claim Pension Age Disability Payment - the benefit replacing Attendance Allowance north of the border. Full details can be found on MYGOV.SCOT here.
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Pension Credit in a nutshell
Pension Credit currently supports 1.4 million people, including 125,000 living in Scotland. It tops up weekly income to a guaranteed minimum level of £227.10 a week for single pensioners or £346.60 for couples. It is worth on average £4,300 this year.
If you are 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.
An award of just £1 per week is enough to unlock access to other financial support, including the 2025/26 Winter Fuel Payment, or Pension Age Winter Heating Payment in Scotland.
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Mixed aged older couples and Pension Credit
In May 2019, the law changed so a 'mixed age couple' - a couple where one partner is of State Pension age and the other is under it - are considered to be a 'working age' couple when checking entitlement to means-tested benefits.
This means they cannot claim Pension Credit or pension age Housing Benefit until they are both State Pension age. Before this DWP change, a mixed age couple could be eligible to claim the more generous State Pension age benefits when just one of them reached State Pension age.
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Other help if you get Pension Credit
If you qualify for Pension Credit you can also get other help, such as:
Housing Benefit if you rent the property you live in
Support for Mortgage Interest if you own the property you live in
Council Tax discount
Free TV licence if you are aged 75 or over
Help with NHS dental treatment, glasses and transport costs for hospital appointments
Help with your heating costs through the Warm Home Discount Scheme, Winter Fuel Payment or Pension Age Winter Heating Payment
A discount on the Royal Mail redirection service if you are moving house
Quickest way to check eligibility for Pension Credit
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.
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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.
Expert help and advice is also available from:
Independent Age
Income Max
Citizens Advice
Age UK
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Attendance Allowance in a nutshell
The information below is also relevant to Pension Age Disability Payment, the only difference is how to claim. All devolved benefits and payments are administered and delivered by Social Security Scotland - full details here.
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Attendance Allowance currently helps nearly 1.7 million older people across Great Britain including 150,000 living in Scotland with the extra daily living costs of having a physical or mental health condition, disability or long-term illness. You do not need to have someone caring for you in order to make a claim.
People over State Pension age claiming Attendance Allowance receive either £73.90 (lower rate) or £110.40 (higher rate) each week. As the benefit is usually paid every four weeks, this amounts to either £295.60 or £441.60 every payment period - some £5,740.80 over the 2025/26 financial year.
Who can claim?
You should apply for Attendance Allowance if you have a disability or illness and need help or supervision throughout the day or at times during the night -even if you don't currently get that help.
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This might include:
Help with your personal care - for example getting dressed, eating or drinking, getting in and out of bed, bathing or showering and going to the toilet
Help to stay safe
You should also apply if you have difficulties with personal tasks, for example if they take you a long time, you experience pain or you need physical help, like a chair to lean on. Attendance Allowance isn't just for people with a physical disability or illness.
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You should also claim if you need help or supervision throughout the day or night and have:
a mental health condition
learning difficulties
a sensory condition - if you are deaf or visually impaired
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Attendance Allowance isn't means-tested so it doesn't matter what other money you have coming in or how much you have in savings either - there's no limit. it is also tax-free and you will be exempt from the Benefit Cap so you won't have money taken away from any other benefits you're already claiming.
You can also claim it if you're still working and earning money.
How to make a claim
Full details of how to get the application form by post or over the phone can be found on the GOV.UK website here.