People approaching State Pension age need to understand which benefits they can no longer make new claims for, according to Turn2us guidanceLinda Howard Money and Consumer Writer and Lucy John
20:18, 20 Jan 2026
(Image: Richard Swingler)
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has released new data showing that approximately 13 million people across Great Britain, including over a million in Scotland, are currently relying on the State Pension for financial support.
At present, those on the New State Pension (claimed after April 6, 2016) can receive up to £230.25 per week, while those on the Basic State Pension (Category A or B) get £176.45 weekly. The amount one receives from this contributory benefit is determined by the number of National Insurance years they’ve accumulated before reaching the current retirement age of 66.
A minimum of 10 years is required to qualify for any State Pension payment. For money-saving tips, sign up to our Money newsletter here
For those nearing the official retirement age before the end of the current financial year (April 5, 2026), it’s crucial to understand which benefits will continue, which new ones you may now be eligible for, and those for which you can no longer submit a new claim.
Your State Pension age aligns with your Pension Credit qualifying age unless you’re a man born before December 6, 1953. You can verify your State Pension age and whether you’re eligible to start claiming Pension Credit on the ‘Check your State Pension age’ page of the GOV.UK website here, reports the Daily Record.
Benefits affected by your pension age.
Turn2us has published a crucial guide outlining the benefits you are no longer eligible to claim from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) once you reach State Pension age or Pension Credit age. For comprehensive information on each topic mentioned below, visit the Turn2us website here.
Pension Credit age
Once you reach State Pension age you can no longer claim:
Income-based Jobseeker’s AllowanceIncome-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)Income SupportUniversal Credit
Turn2us warns: “If you live with a partner and one of you is pension age and the other is not yet pension age, benefit entitlement can be complicated.” Use the Turn2us benefit calculator to determine what benefits you’re entitled to, or seek assistance from a benefits adviser.
State Pension age
When you reach State Pension age you can no longer claim:
Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)Contributory/New Style Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
You cannot submit a new claim for Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or Personal Independence Payment (PIP) after you have reached State Pension age.
However, if you were already in receipt of DLA or PIP you can renew your claim despite being over State Pension age. This is only possible provided you are claiming for the same health conditions for which you received the original award and your previous claim ended less than 12 months before you reached State Pension age. Bereavement Support Payment and Widowed Parent’s Allowance are also not available once you reach State Pension age.
Benefits not affected by your State Pension age
You can claim these benefits even if you are over State Pension age:
Child Benefit (delivered by HMRC)Carer’s Allowance – you may not be eligible for the full financial element depending on your income from State PensionGuardian’s AllowanceStatutory Sick Pay (SSP)
You can also claim these benefits even if you are over State Pension age, but only if you meet the benefit-specific income threshold:
Pension CreditHousing BenefitCouncil Tax SupportSupport for Mortgage InterestHelp with Health CostsWinter Heating Payment – Scotland onlyCold Weather Payment – England and Wales onlyWarm Home Discount SchemeWinter Fuel PaymentPension Age Winter Heating Payment – Scotland only, same qualifying rules as Winter Fuel Payment