Benefits for Older People

Basic State Pension

You can claim the basic State Pension if you’re:

• a man born before 6 April 1951
• a woman born before 6 April 1953

If you were born later, you’ll need to claim the new State Pension instead.

The earliest you can get the new State Pension is when you reach State Pension age.  

To get either State Pension you must have paid or been credited with the required National Insurance contributions.

New State Pension

You’ll be able to claim the new State Pension when you reach State Pension age if you’re:

• a man born on or after 6 April 1951
• a woman born on or after 6 April 1953

If you were born before, these rules do not apply. Instead, you’ll get the basic State Pension. 

Your State Pension amount depends on your National Insurance record.

Your amount could be different depending on:

• if you were contracted out before 2016
• the number of National Insurance qualifying years you have
• if you paid into the Additional State Pension before 2016

Pension Credit

Pension Credit is an income-related benefit made up of 2 parts - Guarantee Credit and Savings Credit. You may not be eligible for Savings Credit if you reached State Pension age on or after 6 April 2016

You will be eligible to start getting Pension Credit if either:

• you and your partner have both reached State Pension age, or
• one of you is getting Housing Benefit for people over State Pension age.

Universal Credit

Universal Credit is a payment to help with your living costs. It’s paid monthly - or twice a month for some people in Scotland.

You may be able to get Universal Credit if:

• you’re on a low income or out of work,
• you’re 18 or over (there are some exceptions if you’re 16 to 17),
• you’re under State Pension age (or your partner is),
• you and your partner have £16,000 or less in savings between you, and
• you live in the UK.

Pension Age Disability Payment

Pension Age Disability Payment can give you extra money if you have both:

• care needs because of a disability or long-term health condition
• reached State Pension age

You can apply for Pension Age Disability Payment if you have both:

• reached State Pension age
• had care needs during the day or night for 6 months or more because of a disability or health condition

You can still apply if:

• you’ve not had care needs for 6 months or more (your award will begin 6 months from when your care needs started if your application is successful)
• you’re waiting for, or do not have, a diagnosis
• you have a terminal illness (there is a separate fast-track application process if you’re terminally ill)

Carer Support Payment

Carer Support Payment is money to help you if you’re a carer and you live in Scotland. This replaces Carers Allowance paid in the rest of the UK.

You will also receive additional Scottish Carer Supplement payments without having to apply.

If you are a young carer 16-18 and live in Scotland, you may be eligible for a Young Carer Grant

You must care for someone at least 35 hours a week for a person receiving certain benefits, and earning must be below the earnings threshold. 

If you do not qualify for this and you care for someone for at least 20 hours a week, you may be entitled to Carers Credit, which is a National Insurance credit that helps with gaps in your National Insurance record.

Housing Benefit

Housing Benefit can help you pay your rent if you’re unemployed, on a low income or claiming benefits. It has been replaced by Universal Credit for most people.

You can only make a new claim for Housing Benefit if either of the following apply:

• you have reached State Pension age
• you’re in supported, sheltered or temporary housing

If other cases, you’ll need to claim Universal Credit instead.

Council Tax Reduction

Council Tax Reduction can help you pay your council tax if you’re unemployed, on a low income or claiming benefits.

You could be eligible if you’re on a low income or claim benefits. Your bill could be reduced by up to 100%.

You can apply if you own your home, rent, are unemployed or working. If you live in West Dunbartonshire you can claim online.

Council Tax Discounts & Exemptions

You may qualify for a discount or exemption dependent on your circumstances.

Discount or Exemption may apply in the following circumstances:

• You are treated as being the sole adult in the household,
• All occupants are classed as 'disregarded persons', i.e. severely mentally impaired, 
• Your home has been adapted for a disabled person,
• Your property is empty.

Winter Heating Payment

Winter Heating Payment is to help people on low income benefits who might have extra heating needs. Social Security Scotland pays this to people living in Scotland.

It replaces the Cold Weather Payment from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and has the same eligibility requirements. 

Unlike the Cold Weather Payment, Winter Heating Payment does not depend on how cold the temperature gets.

Warm Home Discount

A one-off discount on your electricity bill, between September and March. You may be able to get the discount on your gas bill instead if your supplier provides you with both gas and electricity. Contact your supplier to find out.

There are 2 ways to qualify for the Warm Home Discount Scheme:

• you get the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit - known as the ‘core group’, or
• you’re on a low income and meet your energy supplier’s criteria for the scheme - known as the ‘broader group’.

How you apply for the Warm Home Discount Scheme depends on how you qualify for the discount.

Help with NHS health costs

You may qualify for help if you receive certain benefits or are on a low income. 

You can pick up the HC1 form for the Low Income Scheme, available from community pharmacies, GP practices, Citizens Advice Bureau and Jobcentre Plus offices.