UK households can no longer claim benefits once they reach the State Pension age
Once reaching the State Pension age, households can no longer claim certain benefits(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
Recent data from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) reveals the State Pension is currently delivering vital financial support to 13.2 million people throughout Great Britain.
This weekly payment now sits at up to £241.30 for those receiving the New State Pension (applied for after April 6, 2016), or £184.90 per week for the Basic State Pension (Category A or B), reports MirrorOnline.
The quantity a person receives from this contributory benefit hinges on the number of National Insurance years accumulated before reaching pension age – a minimum of 10 years is required to qualify for any State Pension entitlement.
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It’s crucial to note this threshold has begun rising from 66 to 67.
The UK Government has also modified how the State Pension age increase is being introduced, meaning instead of reaching State Pension age on a particular date, people born between March 6, 1961 and April 5, 1977 will become eligible to claim the State Pension upon turning 67.
This scheduled adjustment to the official retirement age has been enshrined in law since 2014, with a subsequent increase from 67 to 68 planned for the mid-2040s.
For elderly people nearing the official retirement threshold, it’s essential to understand which benefits will remain available, new entitlements you might qualify for, and those which are no longer open to fresh applications.
Your State Pension age matches your Pension Credit qualifying age unless you’re a man born before December 6, 1953.
Benefits impacted by your pension age
Turn2us has produced a vital guide outlining the benefits you’re unable to claim from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) once you reach State Pension age or Pension Credit age.
Pension Credit age
When 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.”
State Pension Rates 2026/27
Full New State Pension
Weekly: £241.30 (from £230.25)Four-weekly pay period: £965.20Annual amount: £12,547
Full Basic State Pension
Weekly: £184.90 (from £176.45)Four-weekly pay period: £739.60Annual amount: £9,614
Other State Pension rates
Category B (lower) Basic State Pension – spouse or civil Partner’s insurance: £110.75 (from £105.70)Category C or D – non-contributory: £110.75 (from £105.70)
The new payment rates will start on April 6.
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) once you have reached State Pension age.
However, if you were already in receipt of DLA, PIP, or ADP, you are able to renew your claim even after reaching State Pension age.
This is only permitted provided you are claiming for the identical health conditions for which you previously received the award, and your last claim concluded less than 12 months before you reached State Pension age.
Bereavement Support Payment and Widowed Parent’s Allowance are likewise unavailable 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 Payment