Interested in what benefits are available for over 65 yrs pensioners. — Scope | Disability forum
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Interested in what benefits are available for over 65 yrs pensioners.

patdoh20
patdoh20 Community member Posts: 1 Listener
  • Interested in what benefits are available for over 65 yrs pensioners.

Comments

  • BenefitsTrainingCo
    BenefitsTrainingCo Community member Posts: 2,621 Pioneering
    Hi patdoh20

    There are a number of benefits that can be claimed by people over 65.

    The main disability benefit for people over 65 is Attendance Allowance which you can find out more about on Scope's benefits pages here.

    Other key benefits include the retirement pension which is based on your national insurance record.

    Pension credit is similar to the retirement pension but is only paid if your income is below a certain level. Pension credit is an important benefit because it guarantees that your income does not fall below a certain amount (currently at least £155.60 for single people and at least £237.55 for couples).

    Lots of older people also get housing benefit to help pay the rent and/or council tax support/reduction to help with the cost of council tax.

    There may be others depending on your circumstances.

    David
    The Benefits Training Co:

  • pathurry2000
    pathurry2000 Community member Posts: 1 Listener
    I am in receipt of PIP and it finishes when I retire in 18 months do I stay on PIP once it's finished and is it given to people who have retired and already receiving it please? Many thanks Pat Hurry
  • Matilda
    Matilda Community member Posts: 2,593 Disability Gamechanger
    @pathurry2000

    If you are already on PIP before age 65 then you stay on it after age 65.
  • wildlife
    wildlife Community member Posts: 1,293 Pioneering
    @pathurry2000 as @Matilda says PIP doesn't finish when you retire but I'm wondering as you've mentioned something happening in 18 months it may be that you are due to have your PIP reviewed, in which case you will be notified about this and will be asked to fill in a form about any changes in your condition. If you are just assuming it will finish because you're retiring then, no, it will just continue for how ever long the DWP gave it you for when you first got it.  
  • CockneyRebel
    CockneyRebel Community member Posts: 5,209 Disability Gamechanger
    If you are in recipt of PIP when you pass state retirement age you will continue to receive what ever award you have as long as you meet the criteria. You will still be reassessed, usually a year before the end date of your award. If you have the mobility element then this will stay the same even if your needs increase as long as you meet the criteria.
    If you have the enhanced rate of mobility,you will still qualify for this until you are reassessed and a new decision made that you no longer meet the criteria. In which case you may lose it altogether or be awarded the standard rate.
    If you have the standard rate, you will not be able to increase this even if your needs change. You will still be reassessed and can have this element removed if you no longer meet the criteria. 
    Be all you can be, make  every day count. Namaste
  • Matilda
    Matilda Community member Posts: 2,593 Disability Gamechanger
    edited August 2017
    @pathurry2000

    I suggest that you start your own thread in Ask a benefits advisor category for a full and expert reply.

    You could also phone the Age UK helpline.
  • BenefitsTrainingCo
    BenefitsTrainingCo Community member Posts: 2,621 Pioneering
    pathurry2000,

    Hi Pat, I don't have much to add to the excellent advice above. There is no reason for your PIP to finish in 18 months but it may be that your current award is due to be reviewed then. If so you will be reassessed.

    You can remain on PIP regardless of your retirement. All that matters is that you claimed it before you were 65. The daily living component can stay at the standard rate, or be increased to the enhanced rate if you meet the conditions. The mobility component can't be included for the first time if you are 65 or over, and it can't be increased from the standard rate to the enhanced after that age either. The mobility component has to be for substantially the same condition as the one you were getting it for before you were 65.

    To put it another way, if it's to do with your mobility and getting around, you can't get any extra money for this in PIP after you turn 65. But you can get more money in the daily living component, if you previously only got the standard rate.

    Hope that helps.

    Will
    The Benefits Training Co:

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