Benefits for older people debunked

Benefits are a bit of a minefield and there could be benefits and entitlements that you're eligible for which you might not know about.

In 2024, our helpline advisers identified £2.1 million in unclaimed benefits for older people, highlighting the importance of older people checking their eligibility for benefits like Pension Credit. To help you identify what support might be available to boost your financial wellbeing, we've collated some of the key benefits that older people in Scotland may be entitled to.

Over the past ten years or so, welfare powers that previously sat centrally with the UK have been gradually devolved to the Scottish Government. Following this devolution of powers, Social Security Scotland now has responsibility for a number of benefits previously paid by the Department for Work and Pensions.

The range of benefits available in Scotland remains largely unchanged, but some benefits now have different names and application processes. Below is a list of benefits open to new claims that are relevant to older people in Scotland. You will also find details of who may be eligible and where you can get more information.

Pension Credit

Pension Credit (Guarantee Credit) – paid by the Department for Work and Pensions to people who are receiving their State Pension, and whose income is below the threshold level set by the government. The Guarantee Credit part of Pension Credit can top up your income to this threshold level.

You may also be entitled to an additional amount if you are an unpaid carer or live with a disability. Pension Credit also provides access to a number of other benefits and help with certain costs.

Our Pension Credit guide provides more information, or see the full Pension Credit eligibility criteria.

Universal Credit

Universal Credit – an entitlement for people who are working age with a low income, paid by the Department for Work and Pensions. Universal Credit has replaced six ‘legacy’ benefits: Income Support, Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, Income-related Employment Support Allowance, Working Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit and Housing Benefit.

Most people who still receive these legacy benefits will need to make a new claim for Universal Credit and will have a received a letter telling them to do this. Your benefits will stop if you do not make a claim by the deadline on your letter, so it is important to do this as soon as possible. If you will reach State Pension age in the next four months, you should apply for Pension Credit instead.

Our Universal Credit guide and our Pension Credit guide provide more information about these benefits.

Pension Age Disability Payment – this has replaced Attendance Allowance in Scotland. It is for people who have reached State Pension age and require a certain amount of care or supervision due to a mental or physical disability or condition.

Care or support needs must have been present for at least 6 months before an award can begin. Our Pension Age Disability Payment guide provides more information, or see the full Pension Age Disability Payment eligibility criteria.

Carer Support Payment – for people who provide unpaid care to someone for at least 35 hours per week and whose take-home pay is below the threshold level.

If your income is above the threshold but you meet the other criteria, applying for Carer Support Payment may entitle you to extra amounts on any means-tested benefits you claim. See our Carer Support Payment guide for more information or view the full Carer Support Payment eligibility criteria.

Pension Age Winter Heating Payment – replaces Winter Fuel Payment for people in Scotland. This is an annual tax-free payment from Social Security Scotland, paid automatically to people who are receiving their State Pension.

This benefit is for people with a taxable income of £35,000 or less. You will still get a payment if your income is over £35,000, but HMRC will reclaim this as income tax. If you would prefer to opt out of receiving the payment, call Social Security Scotland on 0800 182 2222. You will not get any future payments unless you opt in again.

Winter Heating Payment – this has replaced the Cold Weather Payment. It is for people who receive a qualifying benefit, such as the Guarantee Credit part of Pension Credit. Social Security Scotland pays this automatically each winter, as a single payment between December and February. If you do not receive a payment and you think you are entitled, you should contact Social Security Scotland.

Warm Home Discount – your energy supplier will apply the Warm Home Discount directly to your energy bill if you qualify. People in the core group, defined each year by the Department for Work and Pensions, qualify for the discount automatically.

A limited number of discounts are also available to people in what is known as the broader group, who have a low income and meet other criteria set by their energy supplier. You will need to apply to your supplier during the application window, usually in October, to see if you qualify.