The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has recently disclosed that the State Pension plays a crucial role in supporting 12.9 million individuals in Great Britain. The current value of this regular payment is as high as £221.20 per week for those on the New State Pension, post-April 6, 2016, or £169.50 weekly for the Basic State Pension (Category A or B). Your entitlement to this financial support depends on the number of National Insurance years accumulated before hitting the current retirement age of 66. A minimum of 10 years of contributions is necessary to qualify for any State Pension payment.
As individuals prepare to transition to retirement age in the upcoming months, it becomes imperative to discern which benefits will persist, which new ones they might now become eligible for, and which benefits can no longer be claimed. It should be noted that one’s State Pension age aligns with their Pension Credit qualifying age unless they are a man born before December 6, 1953. To confirm your State Pension age and see if you are eligible to start claiming Pension Credit, you can check the ‘Check your State Pension age’ page on the GOV.UK website.
Turn2us has compiled a comprehensive guide to the benefits that become inaccessible from the DWP once you reach State Pension age or Pension Credit age. Benefits including Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), Income Support, and Universal Credit can no longer be claimed when you reach State Pension age. Understanding the intricacies of benefit eligibility, especially in cases where one partner is of pension age while the other isn’t, can be complex, and Turn2us suggests using their benefits calculator or consulting a benefits adviser for clarity.
Upon reaching State Pension age, individuals can no longer claim benefits such as Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) and Contributory/New Style Employment and Support Allowance (ESA). New claims for Disability Living Allowance (DLA), Personal Independence Payment (PIP), or Adult Disability Payment (ADP) are also not allowed after hitting State Pension age. For those already receiving DLA, PIP, or ADP, renewing the claim is possible as long as it pertains to the same health conditions that earned the initial award and the last claim ended less than 12 months prior to reaching State Pension age.
Additionally, schemes like Bereavement Support Payment and Widowed Parent’s Allowance become unavailable upon hitting State Pension age. However, benefits like Child Benefit, Carer’s Allowance, Guardian’s Allowance, and Statutory Sick Pay can still be claimed even if you are over State Pension age. Benefits such as Pension Credit, Housing Benefit, Council Tax Support, and Support for Mortgage Interest can also be claimed post-State Pension age, given that the benefit-specific income threshold is met.
In essence, as one approaches State Pension age, it becomes vital to be aware of the changing landscape of benefits eligibility and to plan accordingly. While certain benefits become unavailable upon reaching this milestone, others remain accessible, ensuring continued financial support during retirement. For further details on benefits available post-State Pension age, visit the Turn2Us website for a detailed breakdown.