Other state help
We want to make sure you get as much out of your retirement as you can. Some help is available to all people over certain ages and some is available only to those who need it. Follow these links to find out more.
- Pension Credit
- Age-Related Payments 2005
- Direct Payment
- Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit
- Winter Fuel Payments
- Community Care Grants
- Budgeting Loans
- Crisis Loans
- Living overseas
What is Pension Credit?
Pension Credit is an entitlement for people aged 60 and over living in Great Britain, which could top up your weekly income to a guaranteed minimum level. And, if you have saved towards your retirement, you could receive extra money too.
From 6 April 2010 the State Pension age for women will gradually start to increase from the current State Pension age of 60. The age from which people can get Pension Credit will increase in line with this.
Find out more about Pension Credit
What are Age Related Payments 2005?
The Age-Related Payments were one-off payments that were paid only during the winter of 2005/06.
The deadline to claim an Age-Related Payment was 30 March 2006.
If you have not had your Age-Related Payment and you think you qualify
for the payment contact the Winter
Fuel Payment Helpline.
What is Direct Payment?
We normally pay State Pension and Pension Credit straight into an account. This is the safest way to pay and lets you choose how and when you get your money. You can use a bank or building society. There are arrangements with some banks and building societies so that you can collect cash from some of their accounts at your Post Office branch. The Post Office also provides a bank account that we can pay benefits and entitlements into.
Find out more about Direct Payment
Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit
If you're on a low income, you may be able to get help to pay for your rent and Council Tax bills. You do not have to be getting any other benefits.
Your local council pays Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit. How much you can get will depend, among other things, on your income and your savings and how much rent and Council Tax you are currently paying.
Find out more about Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit on the Directgov website
Or you can get leaflet DWP1015 Help with housing costs from the Department for Work and Pensions resource centre, from your local council, or from your pension centre or social security office.
Find your local council on the Directgov website
If you live in Scotland and have a severe disability, you should contact your local council for more information about help you can get. You can find more information in the leaflet Council Tax in Scotland: a guide for people who have special needs and their carers. You can get the leaflet from local council offices or local advice centres. You can also write to: Council Tax Enquiries, The Scottish Government, Area 3-J, Victoria Quay, Edinburgh EH6 6QQ, or visit the Scottish Government website.
What is a Winter Fuel Payment?
If you're aged 60 or over, you could be entitled to a Winter Fuel Payment to help with your heating bills in winter.
In line with changes to State Pension age for women, the qualifying age for Winter Fuel Payments will rise gradually between 2010 and 2020, from 60 to 65.
Most people get these paid automatically, but to find out if you need to make a claim, you can contact the helpline or call them on 0845 9 15 15 15 (Monday to Friday 8.30am to 4.30pm, calls are charged at the local rate).
Find out more about Winter Fuel Payments
Community Care Grants from the Social Fund
You can apply for a Community Care Grant if you need help to:
- stay in your own home
- return to your own home from a place where you have been getting care
- ease exceptional pressures on you or your family
- care for a prisoner or young offender released from custody on temporary licence
- set up home as part of a planned resettlement
- meet certain travel expenses
You will need to be getting Pension Credit or likely to get Pension Credit when you move following a stay in care. If you're a carer, you can sometimes apply as well. The conditions for applying are varied, so you should check with The Pension Service or your social security office
Find out more about Community Care Grants on the Jobcentre Plus website. Or download the leaflets GL18 Help from the Social Fund and SB16 A guide to the Social Fund from the Jobcentre Plus website.
Budgeting Loans from the Social Fund
Budgeting Loans are interest-free and are meant to help spread the cost of one-off expenses over a longer period. You can get a Budgeting Loan if you need help to buy items such as furniture, household goods, clothes, shoes, or expenses such as rent, removal costs or home improvements, or help with hire purchase and other debts.
These loans could be for you if you have been getting Pension Credit and have been receiving:
- Pension Credit for at least 26 weeks or
- Income Support or income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (or payment on account of one of these benefits) for at least 26 weeks or
- a combination of these benefits for at least 26 weeks.
Find out more about Budgeting Loans on the Jobcentre Plus website or contact your social security office.
You can also download the leaflet DWP1007 The Social Fund from the Department for Work and Pensions website.
Crisis Loans from the Social Fund
You don't have to be getting any social security benefits to apply for a Crisis Loan. Crisis Loans may help you if you need a specific item or you need short-term help with living expenses. For example, there may be a fire or you may lose money through a robbery or burglary and need something to live on until you get your next pension.
Find out more about Crisis Loans on the Jobcentre Plus website or contact your social security office.
You can also download the leaflet DWP1007 The Social Fund from the Department for Work and Pensions website.
Pensioners living abroad
If you live abroad permanently, in certain countries you may get yearly increases in your State Pension. You may also be able to continue getting Winter Fuel Payments if, having qualified for a payment in the UK, you move to another country that follows the European Community rules on social security. You may also get Bereavement Payment anywhere in the world if you are entitled to it.
In certain circumstances, you may also be able to get other benefits if you live outside the UK.
If you are going abroad temporarily, you may be able to continue getting your benefit entitlements for a limited period. Any pensions and benefits that you pay tax on will still be taxed if you live abroad. You will have to pay UK tax on your income from the UK. See our section on tax.
Find out more about your State Pension and living overseas in our A to Z section.
You should get advice from The Pension Service as soon as possible if you are getting state pensions or benefits and planning to go abroad. If you live in the UK contact The Pension Service
If you need any information when you are abroad, you can contact The International Pension Centre
If your question is about Winter Fuel Payments abroad, contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre.
A to Z of benefits and services
For the full range of government help for pensioners, you can take a look at our A to Z of Benefits and Services
Did you know...?
People over 75 can apply for a free TV licence?
See our Travel and leisure section for more information.