In the UK, reaching 66 — the state pension age — means you can finally gain access to the pension you’ve been paying into your working life. But you also may be eligible for some government grants or assistance, both before you reach retirement age and after it. If you’d like to find information on benefits, grants and other help for over 60s that may be available to you today, read on.
UK Residents aged over 60 benefits
Finding out what exact benefits for over 60s are available can be hard as the information out there is not always clear and eligibility criteria can be confusing at times. We often get asked questions across these lines, such as “Do I get winter fuel allowance at 60?”, “Am I able to get free insulation?” or “can I get a free boiler”? Well, we are here to help you on your search to make your golden years stress-free.
There are several government benefits for senior citizens that can help you make your home more energy efficient, with high-quality free insulation being just one example. Unfortunately, the schemes we discuss below do not usually include residential care for the elderly, although you may find Age UK’s pensions advice and living arrangements useful if your living situation is applicable.
You can get a lot of benefits if you are an older citizen in the UK, as you are eligible for discounts and other perks that you were not previously able to access. You can receive things like a free bus pass (usually through the local authority) and other concessionary travel cards, railway cards, dental care at a discounted rate, discounted cinema tickets, and English heritage trips, among many other things. These are all incredibly advantageous, but we will be looking at benefits and schemes that are relevant to keeping your home warm, energy efficient, and help you cope with the escalating cost of energy bills.
What heating schemes are relevant to individuals that are 60 or over?
The ECO4 (Energy Company Obligation) programme is just one of several initiatives offered by the UK government to help low-income and vulnerable households to get free or substantially discounted energy-efficient home improvements such as insulation. This initiative, in addition to contributing to the government’s objective of lowering carbon emissions countrywide and improving efficiency, aims to reduce our negative impact on global warming and help minimise energy bills for those struggling with the energy crisis price hikes.
What are the benefits of the ECO4 scheme?
There are many reasons why homeowners and privately renting tenants over 60 should check their eligibility for the ECO4 scheme, including:
- You can access energy-efficient home improvements that are usually worth thousands of pounds completely for free.
- The funding is free, you will never have to pay back the grant for your new insulation.
- You can make a difference in the UK’s battle with climate change by reducing your carbon emissions.
- The certified installers that will be carrying out the work will be trustworthy and reliable.
- Your property will feel noticeably warmer, especially in the winter as the new measures work to retain more heat.
- You can save a substantial amount of money on your energy bills.
What about other benefits and grants for over 60s?
The ECO scheme is not the only benefit the government has introduced to help make sure older households are kept warm in the cold winter months. Here are a few examples of financial support you could access as a pensioner.
Do I get the winter fuel payment at 60?
Winter fuel payments are applicable to those who have reached the state pension age of 66, including those who receive pension credit or other means-tested benefits and those whose income is below a certain threshold. As senior citizens, it is essential that you look after yourself. Both children and older adults are more vulnerable to colder temperatures and generate illnesses easier. That is why if you are claiming pension credits (or any other benefits) or your income is below £35,000, it is likely you will receive a Winter Fuel Payment to contribute towards your heating costs which have the added benefit of being tax-free.
Those eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment could receive between £200 per household, or £300 where there is someone aged 80 or over. Payment is automatically made, there is no need for pensioners to take action to receive the benefit.
Eligibility was changed by the Labour Government so that Winter Fuel Payments no longer apply automatically to al people of pensionable age. Originally, the payments were only going to be available to those receiving Pension Credit or certain other income-related benefits, but a backlash led to a rethink and a change in eligibility rules.
There is now an income threshold whereby anyone over the State Pension age in England and Wales and with an income of, or below, £35,000 will benefit from the Winter Fuel Payment. Around three quarters of pensioners are thought likely to be eligible to receive the payment.
Are those who have reached the state pension age eligible for the Cold Weather Payment?
You may be able to get a Cold Weather Payment if you’re getting at least one of a number of benefits including Pension credit, income support, income-based JSA, income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Universal Credit or Support for Mortgage Interest. Typically, for pensioners you’ll usually get Cold Weather Payment if you receive pension credit.
You’ll get a payment if the average temperature in your area is recorded as, or forecasting to be, zero degrees celsius or below over 7 consecutive days. The payment amounts to £25 for each 7 day period of very cold weather. If you live in Scotland, you cannot get Cold Weather payments, but instead might be able to get a Winter Heating Payment.
Can I get Warm Home Discount Scheme help?
With the Warm Home Discount Scheme, you could be eligible to have money deducted from your electricity bill in the winter to help with high energy costs. In some instances it may be possible to apply the discount to your gas bills if your energy supplier provides you with both gas and electricity.
If you already receive government benefits for UK pensioners, like pension credits, the one-off discount of £150 should have already been taken off your bill, if you are with an electricity company that is signed up for the government’s scheme. You can contact your supplier if you’re unsure whether you have received the financial assistance discount. The Warm Home Discount does not affect eligibility to Cold Weather Payments of Winter Fuel Payments.
Other Government benefits for those who have reached the state pension age…
Pension Credit
Eligibility for certain benefits often rests on whether or not you are receiving Pension Credit — consisting of both Guarantee Credit and Savings Credit. This is extra money paid automatically to top up weekly income to a guaranteed minimum level, if you have reached state pension age, but are on a low income. Pension Credit is separate from the state pension and you can even receive it even if you have other income, savings or your own home.
If you claim Pension Credit, you may also be able to get other help such as Housing Benefit, Support for Mortgage Interest, Council Tax reduction, free TV licence, and help with NHS treatment, including free NHS dental treatment, free NHS prescriptions, or free eye tests.
Bereavement Support Payment
If your partner has died, it is possible to claim bereavement support payment. This provides support in the period after the death of a partner (meaning a husband, wife, civil partners, or someone you lived with as if you were married to them). However, funding is only available to those who have not yet reached State Pension age as those of pensionable age would be able to claim their State Pension instead.
Attendance Allowance
Attendance Allowance is provided to those who have reached state pension age and have care needs due to a long-term physical or mental disability. If you are over 60 but still under the state pension age, you may be eligible for Personal independence Payment instead. Attendance Allowance payments are not means-tested benefits so income and savings have no impact on the level of support received per week.
Free bus passes and other travel discounts
Those reaching the State Pension age of 66 (applicable to both men and women, but gradually increasing to 67 between 2026 and 2028, and eventually to 68) are able to get an older person’s bus pass. Some other areas offer free travel or concessions on buses, trains and other modes of transport to those 60 and over, but that depends on the area and local authority.
Contact our team
Get in touch with our team today if you need advice regarding available grants for pensioners, and those relevant to people over 60s or who are soon to reach state pension age, and see if you can qualify for free insulation through a government funding scheme.
