How to take full advantage of the grants and benefits available to older people
As we get older, our finances can get tighter. In our later years - incomes drop, some expenses increase, and some people can really feel the squeeze. There is actually quite a lot of financial assistance available to older people out there, but they are not always well publicised or well known about.
So, we have done the hard work for you and sought out as many benefits and grants as possible. Not all of these may be applicable to you but taking advantage of even a few of these could make a significant impact in your day-to-day finances.
Related: Read more about loans for people on benefits here
Contents
In the Home
- Boiler, Central Heating & Insulation
The Energy Company Obligation (ECO) scheme is designed to help make eligible households more energy efficient. Whether you own your own home or rent from either a private landlord or social housing, you may be eligible for the ECO scheme if you claim certain benefits. The ECO scheme could help with the cost of replacing or repairing a boiler and/or insulation work. You can find out more about eligibility on the Gov.uk website.
How to claim:
Contact your energy provider.
Useful links:
- TV Licence
You can apply for a free TV licence if you’re over the age of 75 and either you or your partner living at the same address receive Pension Credit.
How to claim:
If you already pay for a TV licence but think you might be eligible for a free one, you can sign in and make a request. If you’re unable to sign in or currently don’t have a licence at all, you can apply for a free licence here. Alternatively, you can call 0300 790 6117 to request an application form.*
Useful links:
- Winter Fuel Payment
If you were born before September 23, 1958, and you receive certain benefits, you may be able to get a one-off, tax-free Winter Fuel Payment of either £200 or £300 to help towards the cost of your 2024-2025 heating bills.
Unfortunately, the Pension Cost of Living Payment was stopped in winter 2023 and is no longer available.
How to claim:
If you qualify for the Winter Fuel Payment, you should receive a letter in either October or November, which will let you know how much money you’ll get. The payment is usually made around November or December, unless you’re awaiting a decision about another benefit.
If you think you might be eligible for a Winter Fuel Payment but haven’t received a letter, you can find out more here.
Useful links:
- Cold Weather Payment
This is not a guaranteed grant, but if you receive pension credit and the temperature in your area drops below zero degrees Celsius for 7 consecutive days or more, you can expect to receive some additional money to help you heat your home.
The scheme runs from 1st November and 31st March annually. The amount you will receive is £25 for each 7-day period that the temperature is below zero.
How to claim:
If you receive pension credit, you should receive the payment automatically.
Useful links:
Finance
- Pension Credit
If you live in England, Scotland or Wales, are over State Pension age, and in receipt of a low income, you could be eligible to claim Pension Credit, which could provide you with help towards your living and housing costs.
If you’re severely disabled, a carer, or responsible for a child or young person, you might be eligible for some extra help.
With Pension Credits, your weekly income will be topped up by £218.15 if you’re single, and £332.95 if you have a partner.
In 2024, it was revealed that up to 880,000 eligible UK households could be missing out on Pension Credit. It’s very important that you claim pension credit if eligible - even if you only qualify for a small amount. This is because receiving Pension Credit can make you eligible for other benefits.
How to claim:
You can start your Pension Credit application up to 4 months before you reach the State Pension age. You can also apply after you’ve reached State Pension age, although your claim can only be backdated by 3 months.
If you’ve already claimed your State Pension, you can apply for Pension Credit either online, by calling 0800 99 1234, or through the post.
Useful links:
- Council Tax Support
Council tax needs to be paid each year, even in retirement, and can be a fairly sizeable chunk of money. Each UK council will offer some form of financial support to those in need of assistance in paying their council tax. How much discount you will receive will depend on a number of factors, but if you receive guarantee pension credit you may find your whole bill is paid for - so certainly worth investigating.
How to claim:
Contact your local council, or search online for [your local council] + "council tax support scheme". For example, "Wiltshire Council tax support scheme".
Useful links:
Health & Wellbeing
- Attendance Allowance
If you need assistance to look after yourself due to a physical or mental disability, and are over State Pension age, then you may be entitled to Attendance Allowance.
There are two different rates of Attendance Allowance; the one you receive will depend on the care you need.
If you need regular help or ongoing supervision throughout the day, or supervision at night, you could be eligible to receive the lower rate of £72.65 per week.
The higher rate of £108.55 per week could be available for those who need help throughout both the day and night. You may also be able to claim the higher rate if a medical professional has told you that you’re nearing the end of your life.
Please note that, as of spring 2025, anyone currently in receipt of Attendance Allowance will be automatically moved to Pension Age Disability Allowance. Once this migration has started, you should receive a letter from the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) or Social Security Scotland.
How to claim:
There are several ways to apply for Attendance Allowance.
- Apply online
- Call the Attendance Allowance helpline on 0800 731 0122.
- Print off, complete, and send the claim form to: Freepost, DWP Attendance Allowance. You can also request the claim form by calling the above contact number.
Useful links:
- Carer's Allowance
If you’re a carer for someone else for at least 35 hours a week, you may be able to claim Carer's Allowance, which is paid weekly at the rate of £81.90.
Before you claim Carer’s Allowance, you’ll need to make sure that you meet the eligibility criteria. The person you care for must be in receipt of certain benefits and you must earn less than £151 a week after deductions.
You can find out more about Carer’s Allowance on the Gov.uk website.
Please note that in Scotland, you’ll need to apply for a Carer Support Payment instead.
How to claim:
You can either apply for Carer’s Allowance online, by phone on 0800 731 0297, or by post.
Useful links:
- NHS Discounts
If you claim the Guarantee element of Pension Credit, then you may qualify for significant NHS discounts. Note that these discounts are in addition to the free prescriptions and free eye tests you qualify for once you turn 60.
These discounts may include help paying for:
- Dental treatments on the NHS.
- Glasses and contact lenes.
- Travel costs and parking when attending NHS appointments.
- Wigs and fabric supports on the NHS.
How to claim:
If you qualify for the discounted treatments, then you should mention this when booking an appointment and then show your benefit award letter when attending.
Useful links:
- Bereavement
If your partner has passed away, you may be able to claim Bereavement Support Payment, which could be a one-off payment of up to £3,500, or 18 payments of up to £350 per month. The cut off for making a claim will depend on the amount you could be due – if eligible for the higher amount, you’ll need to make a claim within 3 months of your bereavement.
There is a certain eligibility criteria that you’ll need to meet before you make a claim. For further information, please visit the Gov.uk website.
One major caveat to this payment is that you need to have been under State Pension age when your partner passed, so this is not applicable to those who are older.
How to claim:
There are a number of ways to claim a Bereavement Support Payment.
- Online
- By phone – 0800 151 2012
- By post. You can request a claim form from the number above or download one here.
Useful links:
Transport
- Bus Pass, Rail & Coach Discounts
As we get older, cars may be less and less practical for travelling around. Failing eyesight or disability may make driving hazardous or not possible. Luckily, there are certain discounts available to help older citizens remain mobile and connected to the wider world.
Those of State Pension Age in England are entitled to free bus travel. In Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, you’ll be eligible for this perk once you turn 60.
Additionally, if you’re over 60 and live in London, you can travel on busses and tubes within the city for free.
While this free travel isn't applicable to national coach travel, many coach companies offer discounts to senior citizens in different forms. For instance, National Express offer a Senior Coachcard to over 60s, which costs £18 per year, including postage. With this card, you’ll get 1/3 off coach travel, as well as access to other discounts.
Check the relevant travel provider for more details of their offers.
Those over the age of 60 can also buy a Senior Railcard for as little as £30 per year or £70 for three years, which provides up to 1/3 off rail fares. The average annual saving for senior railcard holders is £96, so it could be helpful if you regularly travel by rail.
How to claim:
- If eligible, you can apply for a free bus in England through your local council, which you can locate here.
- You’ll need to apply for coach service cards and discounts through the individual company’s website.
- A Senior Railcard can be applied for here.
Useful links:
Free bus pass details on the Gov.uk website.
*Calls to 0300 numbers cost no more than a national rate call to an 01 or 02 number, whether from a mobile or landline. If you get inclusive minutes, calls to an 0300 number will be included free of charge.
Information correct as of February 2025.