Benefits for different ages
Last year more than £8 billion of state benefits went unclaimed because many people simply don’t realise what they are entitled to.
Although the process for claiming any benefit or grant can be arduous, it’s often worth the effort in the end.
Yvonne Davies, Chief Executive, Birmingham Citizens Advice Bureau, was one of the speakers at the Your Voice Ageing Disgracefully event.
Here are some extracts from her presentation, Different Benefits for Different Ages, which looked at many of the benefits available, and what steps you can take if your claim is rejected.
Yvonne said: “I would urge Link readers to find out whether they are entitled to additional benefit.”
Early Retirement
Sometimes it is simply not realistic for some people with disabilities to work until the statutory retirement age. It is important that people have the full range of choices open to them when they retire early, so that fully informed decisions can be made.
If you feel pressured by your employer to retire earlier than you want - because of your illness or disability, you may be able to bring a case using the Disability Discrimination Act 1995.
See Disability Rights Commission website on: www.drc-gb.org/the_law.aspx
Incapacity Benefit (IB)
This is a state benefit paid to compensate you for an inability to work, due to ill health or disability.
It can be paid up to pension age, but, if you are also claiming an occupational pension, the amount of IB you get will be reduced by 50p for every £1 of your occupational pension over £85.
Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
Paid to people who have need for care or supervision during the day and/or night or who have mobility difficulties. This benefit can be claimed up to the age of 65 years.
Attendance Allowance (AA)
This is paid to people who claim after their 65th birthday with need for care or supervision during the day and/or night. However there is no lower rate of care component or any mobility component at all with this benefit.
It is important that people claim DLA before their 65th birthday if they have any difficulties with mobility or low levels of care needs in particular.
Carers Allowance (CA)
(£48.65/Carers Premium £27.15)
Paid to carers who meet the following criteria:
If the person they are looking after is getting Disability Living Allowance (DLA) it must be at the middle or high rate.
If the person they are looking after is getting Attendance Allowance (AA) it can be at any rate.
They must ‘care’ for at least 35 hours a week, but time spent prior and post dealing with cared person can count. Care provided does not have to be active ‘caring’ – simply ‘watching’ without any intervention can count.
Aged 16 years +.
Must not earn more than £87 a week.
Not in full time education.
Pension Credit (PC)
A) Guarantee Credit (60 years +)
This is the Government safety net for people over 60 years. It tops up existing income to ensure older people have a basic minimum income guarantee.
This is more generous than previous years and more than 25% of people entitled to this benefit do not claim because they do no think they would qualify.
B) Savings Credit (65 years +)
This provides extra money to those who have made modest provision for their retirement. People who cannot qualify for the Guarantee Credit may still qualify for additional income through savings credit.