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All the DWP benefits you will not be able to claim at pension age
Reach Daily Express | May 18, 2025 12:39 AM CST

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has unveiled new statistics indicating that the State Pension is now offering vital financial support to 13 million individuals across Great Britain.

This regular payment is currently valued at up to £230.25 per week for those on the New State Pension (claimed after 6 April 2016), or £176.45 each week for the Basic State Pension (Category A or B).

The sum a person receives from this contributory benefit hinges on the number of National Insurance years they have amassed before reaching the current retirement age of 66 - and a minimum of 10 years is necessary to qualify for any State Pension payment.

For older people approaching the official retirement age this year, be aware that there area new ones you may now be eligible for and those you can no longer lodge a new claim for.

Your State Pension age is the same as your Pension Credit qualifying age unless you are a man born before 6 December 1953. You can confirm your State Pension age and whether you can start claiming Pension Credit on the 'Check your State Pension age' page of the GOV.UK website

Benefits affected by your pension age

Turn2us has assembled an essential guide to the benefits you cannot claim from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) when you reach State Pension age or Pension Credit age. For details on each of the topics listed below, visit the Turn2us website .

Pension Credit age

Turn2us has explained that reaching State Pension age brings a significant shift in benefit entitlement, particularly for those in partnerships where one is not yet of pensionable age. They say: "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."

They recommend utilising their benefits calculator to discern potential entitlements or confer with 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)

Notably, after you have reached State Pension age, you are no longer able to make new claims for benefits like Disability Living Allowance (DLA), Personal Independence Payment (PIP). Nevertheless, if you were already receiving DLA or PIP before you hit State Pension age, you can continue to renew these for the same health conditions, provided you do so within 12 months of your previous award expiring.

Other benefits such as Bereavement Support Payment and Widowed Parent's Allowance become inaccessible upon hitting State Pension age.

Benefits not affected by your State Pension age

You can claim these benefits even if you are over State Pension age:

  • Guardian's Allowance
  • Child Benefit (delivered by HMRC)
  • Carer's Allowance - you may not be eligible for the full financial element depending on your income from State Pension
  • Statutory 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:

  • Cold Weather Payment - England and Wales only
  • Warm Home Discount Scheme
  • Winter Fuel Payment - only those over State Pension age in receipt of Pension Credit or other qualifying income-related benefits will receive the money from this year
  • Support for Mortgage Interest
  • Help with Health Costs
  • Housing Benefit
  • Council Tax Support
  • Pension Credit


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