Benefits Maze

Making sense of the benefits system

Accessing benefit entitlements can provide vital money in your pocket to support you, so it is worth knowing what you could claim. But benefits can seem complicated. Many people do not claim their benefit entitlements, either because they don't realise they have an entitlement, or they don't know how to claim it.

The Age Scotland Benefits Maze guide provides information about the benefits most relevant to older people. It aims to help you through the maze of benefits, pensions and social security, enabling you to claim any extra money you are entitled to. 

Who qualifies for benefits?

Each benefit has a set of criteria that you must meet in order to qualify for a benefit award. Your entitlement to benefits could depend on:

• your age and sometimes your partner’s age
• your income and savings, and sometimes your partner’s income and savings
• your National Insurance contributions or credits
• your immigration status and how long you have lived in the UK
• whether you are working or retired
• whether you have a health condition or disability
• if your health condition or disability was caused or made worse by service in the Armed Forces
• if you provide unpaid care for someone

If you'd like support to check your benefit entitlements, book a benefit check by calling the Age Scotland helpline on 0800 12 44 222. You can also check your entitlements online at www.age.scot/benefitscalculator.

Benefit Workshops

The benefits system is complicated. It can be difficult to work out what you are entitled to, and how to claim it. Find out more about joining one of our Benefit Workshops here.