Benefits for People Living with Dementia
Understanding which benefits to claim
There are some benefits particularly relevant for people living with dementia. This page will give you an idea of the main benefits you may be entitled to as a person over State Pension age living with dementia, or as a carer. State Pension age is being increased from 66 a little at a time, and will reach 67 by March 2028.
About Benefits
Benefits you are entitled to could help with the additional costs of living with dementia, such as care or travel costs. There are also benefits that can provide support someone who cares for you. Benefit rates change from time to time, usually in April of each year.
For advice about entitlements and to book a benefit check, call the Age Scotland helpline on 0800 12 44 222.
Pension Credit
Pension Credit is a benefit that can give you extra money if you are living on a low income and you and your partner have both reached State Pension age. There are two parts – Guarantee Credit and Savings Credit. You might be eligible for one part or both. There is no savings limit for Pension Credit, but if you have capital over £10,000 your Pension Credit amount will be reduced.
Guarantee Credit will top up your income to a minimum level set each year by the UK Government. You may be entitled to a higher amount of Pension Credit if you receive Pension Age Disability Payment or the care component of Adult Disability Payment. You may also receive an extra amount if the benefits system recognises you as a carer, you are responsible for a child or children, or you have certain housing costs such as occupancy or service charges.
If you receive Pension Credit and own your own home, you may be entitled to Support for Mortgage Interest, to help with the interest payments on your mortgage or home-improvement loan. Support for Mortgage Interest is in the form of a loan secured on your home, that must be repaid with interest either when your property is sold, its ownership is transferred, or in settling your estate after your death.
Savings Credit is extra money you may be entitled to if you have some money put aside in the form of savings or a private pension. You can only claim it if you and your partner reached State Pension age before 6 April 2016.
To claim Pension Credit: contact the Department for Work and Pensions on 0800 99 1234 or visit the gov.uk website. If you need help with filling in a form, call the Age Scotland helpline on 0800 12 44 222. They may refer you to the Department for Work and Pensions home visiting service, or provide contact details of a local benefits advice agency that can help you.
Making a claim for Pension Credit
Pension Credit on gov.ukPension Age Disability Payment
You may be able to claim Pension Age Disability Payment if dementia has affected your ability to look after yourself and you need extra help. Pension Age Disability Payment is a benefit for people who have reached State Pension age and who have a disability or health condition that means they require care or supervision.
You can apply for Pension Age Disability Payment regardless of how much income or savings you have. You must normally have needed care or supervision for 6 months before your award can begin; if you have been diagnosed with a terminal illness, you can ask your medical professional to complete an BASRiS form, and make a claim straight away.
There are two rates of Pension Age Disability Payment:
1. a lower rate if you need help during the day OR during the night
2. a higher rate if you need help both day AND night
You do not have to spend the money on care. You can decide to spend it on anything you want.
For more detailed information, see our Pension Age Disability Payment guide.
Making a Claim for Pension Age Disability Payment
To claim Pension Age Disability Payment, you can call Social Security Scotland on 0800 182 2222 or apply online at mygov.scot.
If you need help with filling in a form, call the Age Scotland helpline on 0800 12 44 222 for contact details of a local advice agency who can help you.
Carer Support
If you care for someone living with dementia who receives Pension Age Disability Payment or the daily living component of Adult Disability Payment, you may qualify for Carer Support, Scotland's benefit for unpaid carers.
Carer Support has replaced Carer's Allowance for people who live in Scotland. Carer Support has three elements: Carer Support Payment, Scottish Carer Supplement and Carer Additional Person Payment.
Carer Support overlaps with State Pension, meaning you won't receive a payment if your State Pension or take-home pay is too high. However, it may still be worth applying, as you may have an 'underlying entitlement'. This can increase the amount you receive in means-tested benefits like Pension Credit, or give you an entitlement you wouldn't otherwise have.
Claiming Carer Support can also reduce the amount of benefit received by the person you provide care for, if they have a Severe Disability Premium included in any of their benefits. You should get advice about this before making a claim.
Applying for Carer Support
To claim Carer Support, call Social Security Scotland on 0800 182 2222 or visit www.mygov.scot/carer-support-payment/how-to-apply.
To book a free benefit check, or more information about benefits, call the Age Scotland helpline on 0800 12 44 222.
Help with rent and Council Tax
If you have a low income and modest savings, and have reached State Pension age, you may be entitled to Housing Benefit to help with your rent. You may also qualify for a reduction or discount on your Council Tax bill. You claim these benefits from your local council.
If you are receiving the Guarantee Credit part of Pension Credit, you will be entitled to the full amount of Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction unless other people live with you.
There are several types of Council Tax help, some of which are means-tested and some of which are not. To find out what you may be eligible for, visit Citizens Advice Scotland's Check My Council Tax tool, or see our Help with Council Tax guide.
Further Information on Benefits
If you would like more information on benefits, including benefits
for people of working age, call the Age Scotland helpline on 0800 12 44 222 or visit our Money and Benefits information pages.
Dementia resources
Find out more about Age Scotland's work and services to support people affected by dementia.
