Benefits - State Pension Age

State Pension Age

State Pension age benefits are payments that help people who are over State Pension age.

These benefits help people with things like:

  • Living costs
  • Rent
  • Council tax
  • Disability or care needs

You can get State Pension age benefits whether you are:

  • Retired
  • Still working part‑time or full‑time
  • Living with a long‑term illness or disability
  • Caring for someone else
  • On a low income

    Easy summary - Pension Credit

    • Pension Credit helps older people with low money
    • It helps pay for everyday things
    • It helps people enjoy a safer, more comfortable life

    There is easy read information on GOV.UK about Pension Credit.

    What is Pension Credit?

    Pension Credit is money from the government for older people.

    It helps people who:

    • Are over State Pension age
    • Do not have much money to live on

    Why do people get Pension Credit?

    Some older people:

    • Have stopped working
    • Do not get a big pension

    Pension Credit helps them:

    • Buy food
    • Pay bills
    • Stay warm and safe at home

    What does Pension Credit do?

    It can:

    Top up their money so they have enough to live on

    Help with things like:

    • Rent
    • Council Tax
    • Free TV licence (for some people)

    Do people have to pay it back?

    No.

    Pension Credit is not a loan
    They do not have to pay it back

    Who can get it?

    Usually people who:

    • Are older
    • Live in the UK
    • Have low income or savings

    Sometimes couples can get it too.

    Easy summary - Housing Benefit

    • Housing Benefit helps pay for rent
    • It is for people with low money
    • It helps people stay safely in their home

    What is Housing Benefit?

    Housing Benefit is money from the government that helps people pay for their home.

    It helps with:

    • Rent
    • Sometimes council housing costs

    Who gets Housing Benefit?

    Housing Benefit is mostly for:

    • People who do not have much money
    • People who are older, or
    • People who cannot work because they are ill or disabled

    Most people now get Universal Credit instead, but some people still get Housing Benefit.

    Why do people need Housing Benefit?

    Homes cost money.

    Some people:

    • Cannot earn enough
    • Are unwell
    • Are retired

    Housing Benefit helps them:

    • Stay in their home
    • Worry less about losing their house

    Where does the money go?

    • It goes to the person, to help pay the rent
    • Or it can be arranged so the money goes straight to the landlord

    Easy Summary - Attendance Allowance

    • Attendance Allowance helps older people who need care
    • It helps with everyday life at home
    • It is not based on money or savings
    • It can increase other benefits
    • Help is available locally in Sefton

    There is easy read information available on GOV.UK about Attendance Allowance

    What is Attendance Allowance?

    Attendance Allowance is money from the government to help older people who have a long‑term illness, health condition, or disability.

    It is for people who:

    • Are over State Pension age

    • Need extra help to look after themselves at home

    Who can get Attendance Allowance?

    You may be able to get Attendance Allowance if you:

    • Are over State Pension age
    • Have had an illness or disability for at least 6 months
    • Expect it to last for another 6 months or more
    • Live in the UK
    • Need help to look after yourself indoors

    You do not need to have someone caring for you to get Attendance Allowance.

    What kind of help do people need?

    You may qualify if you find it hard to do things like:

    • Getting in or out of bed

    • Getting dressed or undressed

    • Washing, bathing, or showering

    • Using the toilet

    • Eating or drinking

    • Taking medicine

    • Not falling or stumbling indoors

    • Seeing or hearing

    • Reading letters or forms

    • Remembering things

    • Feeling confused, anxious, or depressed

    If any of these are hard, it can help to ask for advice.

    Does money or savings matter?

    No.

    • Attendance Allowance is not based on income or savings
    • It does not reduce other benefits

    It can actually help people get more money from other benefits.

    How does Attendance Allowance affect other benefits?

    Attendance Allowance is not treated as income, so:

    • It will not reduce income‑based benefits

    • It may increase benefits like:

      • Pension Credit

      • Housing Benefit

      • Council Tax Reduction

    You can get Attendance Allowance at the same time as:

    • State Pension

    • Pension Credit

    • Housing Benefit

    • Council Tax Reduction

    What about carers?

    If someone:

    • Looks after you 35 hours a week or more, and

    • You get Attendance Allowance

    They may be able to claim Carer’s Allowance.

    What happens if you go into hospital?

    • Attendance Allowance usually stops after 4 weeks in hospital

    • Any extra money linked to it may also stop

    • If someone gets Carer’s Allowance for you, their money will stop too

    You must tell the Disability Benefit Centre if you stay in hospital for 4 weeks or longer.

    How much is Attendance Allowance?

    Attendance Allowance is paid at two weekly rates:

    • Lower rate – £73.90

      • If you need help during the day OR night

    • Higher rate – £110.40

      • If you need help during the day AND night

    How do you claim Attendance Allowance?

    You need to fill in a claim form (AA1A).

    You can ask for a claim pack by calling: 0800 731 0122

    Help in Sefton

    If you live or work in Sefton and need help with:

    • Claiming Attendance Allowance

    • Claiming other benefits

    • Challenging a benefits decision

    You can contact the Benefits Advice Team, who can support you.

    Easy summary - Carer’s Allowance

    • Carer’s Allowance is money for people who care for others
    • Caring is important work, even if unpaid
    • It helps carers while they support someone else

    What is Carer’s Allowance?

    Carer’s Allowance is money from the government to help people who look after someone else who needs a lot of help.

    The person they care for might:

    • Be ill
    • Have a disability
    • Need help every day

    Who is a carer?

    A carer is someone who:

    • Looks after another person regularly
    • Is usually a family member or friend
    • Is not paid for the care they give

    They might help with:

    • Washing and dressing
    • Eating and taking medicine
    • Keeping the person safe
    • Going out or getting around

    Who can get Carer’s Allowance?

    A person may be able to get Carer’s Allowance if they:

    Care for someone 35 hours a week or more.
    Look after someone who gets a benefit like:

    • PIP
    • Attendance Allowance
    • Disability Living Allowance (care part)
    • Do not earn too much money from work

    Why do people get Carer’s Allowance?

    Caring takes:

    • Time
    • Energy
    • Patience

    Carer’s Allowance helps carers:

    • Pay for food and bills
    • Have some support while helping others

    Can carers work or study?

    Sometimes.

    • Carers can work or study a little
    • But if they earn too much money, the allowance may stop

    What if the cared‑for person goes into hospital?

    If the person being cared for:

    • Goes into hospital for a long time (usually 4 weeks)

    Then:

    • Carer’s Allowance may stop
    • It can start again when the person comes home

    Why are Carer’s Allowance and Attendance Allowance different?

    They are different because they help different people.

    Attendance Allowance

    Attendance Allowance helps the person who needs help.

    Carer’s Allowance

    Carer’s Allowance helps the person who gives the help.

    Can both be claimed at the same time?

    Yes.

    • One person can get Attendance Allowance
    • The person who looks after them may get Carer’s Allowance

    They are linked, but they are for different people. 

    Easy Summary- Winter Fuel

    Winter Fuel Payments and cost‑of‑living support provide financial help with heating and essential costs, especially for older people and low‑income households. While national payments have reduced, local council schemes and targeted support remain available to help those most in need.  This is called the Crisis and Resilience Fund.

    There is information about fuel payment and other support in the Cost of Living support pages on Sefton Council's website.

    Winter Fuel Payments and Cost of Living Support (UK)

    There are several types of financial support available to help with energy bills and rising living costs, particularly during the winter months.

    1. Winter Fuel Payment

    A one‑off yearly payment to help older people with heating costs.

    Who can get it

    • Usually if you have reached State Pension age
    • Must meet residency rules in the UK

    How much you get (2026–2027)

    • Between £100 and £300, depending on your age and circumstances 

    How it is paid

    • Usually paid automatically
    • Paid between November and December
    • You will receive a letter confirming your payment 

    Important note

    • If your income is over £35,000, the payment may be recovered through tax 

    2. Cold Weather Payment

    Extra support during periods of very cold weather

    • Paid automatically if you receive certain benefits (e.g. Pension Credit or Universal Credit)
    • You get £25 for each 7‑day period where temperatures stay at or below 0°C
    • Paid between November and March

    3. Cost of Living Support (local and national)

    There are no standard nationwide cost‑of‑living payments in 2026, but support is still available through different schemes.

    Local council support (Crisis and Resilience Fund)

    • Replaces the previous Household Support Fund
    • Provides:
      • Cash payments
      • Food vouchers
      • Help with rent, energy or essential costs
    • Usually targeted at people experiencing financial hardship 

    Other support that may be available

    • Warm Home Discount
      • Around £150 off energy bills
    • Energy bill support and local grants
    • Help through benefits such as:
      • Universal Credit
      • Pension Credit

    Key points

    • Most winter support is either:
      • Paid automatically, or
      • Applied for through your council
    • Support depends on:
      • Your age
      • Your income
      • Whether you receive certain benefits

 

Last Updated on Friday, June 19, 2026

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