Benefits for elderly parents in the UK: what they can claim and how to apply

Attendance Allowance

What is Attendance Allowance?

Attendance Allowance is a non-means-tested benefit for people over State Pension age who need help with personal care or supervision because of a long-term condition.

Your parent does not need to be receiving professional care to qualify.

When might your parent be eligible?

Your parent may qualify if they:

• Are over State Pension age
• Have a physical disability, a mental disability or a health condition
• Need help with daily tasks such as washing, dressing, eating, or staying safe
• Have needed that help for at least six months
• Must be a UK resident.

How much could your parent receive?

There are two weekly rates, depending on how much help your parent needs. Rates are reviewed annually and paid tax-free:

• £73.90 per week: If your parent needs frequent help or supervision during the day, or support at night
• £110.40 per week: If your parent needs help or supervision both day and night, or has been diagnosed as nearing the end of life

You don’t need to decide which rate applies – the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will assess this based on the information you provide. For more information, read GOV.UK’s guidance on Attendance Allowance.

Does Attendance Allowance affect other benefits?

Yes, often positively. Claiming Attendance Allowance can increase your parent’s entitlement to:

• Pension Credit
• Council Tax reduction
• Housing-related support.

Important: Your loved one can’t get Attendance Allowance if they already get Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or Personal Independence Payment (PIP).

How to help your parent apply

Applying for Attendance Allowance usually involves completing a claim form and providing details about your parent’s care needs.

Before applying, it helps to have:

• Your parent’s National Insurance number
• GP or consultant details
• A list of medications
• Notes on where your parent needs help day to day.

Many families find it useful to keep a short diary of care needs before completing the form. You can apply online or by phone, or apply on your parent’s behalf with their permission.

Carer’s Allowance

What is Carer’s Allowance?

Carer’s Allowance is for people who provide regular care to someone with significant care needs, including elderly parents.

Could you be eligible?

You may qualify if you:

• Are 16 or over
• Are not in full-time education, or studying for more than 21 hours a week
• Care for your loved one for at least 35 hours a week
• You’ve lived in England, Scotland or Wales for two out of the last three years (with some exceptions, e.g. armed forces)
• Your earnings are £196 or less a week after tax, National Insurance and expenses.

How much is Carer’s Allowance?

Carer’s Allowance is paid weekly at a fixed rate and counts as taxable income. You could get £83.30 a week if you care for someone at least 35 hours a week and they get certain benefits. For more information, read the government’s guidance on Carer’s Allowance.

Does Carer’s Allowance affect other benefits?

Yes, Carer’s Allowance can affect other benefits you receive, particularly means-tested benefits. In some cases, you may not be paid the full amount if you already receive certain benefits, such as the State Pension. However, it’s still usually worth applying.

Even if you’re not paid Carer’s Allowance directly, you may be entitled to an underlying entitlement, which can increase other benefits you receive, such as Pension Credit. Importantly, applying will not reduce your overall benefits, and they may increase.

Carer’s Allowance can also be taxable if it takes your total income above the tax threshold.

Will Carer’s Allowance affect my parent’s benefits?

Receiving Carer’s Allowance will not affect your parent’s State Pension or disability benefits, such as Attendance Allowance.

However, it can mean your parent loses a severe disability addition in Pension Credit, if they receive one. Because of this, it’s worth checking the overall impact before applying if your parent receives Pension Credit.

If you’re unsure, organisations such as Age UK can help you understand how this applies to your situation.

How to apply for Carer’s Allowance

You can apply for Carer’s Allowance online through the government website, or apply on behalf of someone else with their knowledge.

Before applying, it helps to have basic details about:

• You and your income
• The person you care for
• The benefits they receive.

The application itself is straightforward, even if some of the questions feel detailed.

If you’re unsure whether you’ll be paid Carer’s Allowance directly, it’s still worth applying to understand your full entitlement.

Pension Credit

What is Pension Credit?

Pension Credit tops up your parent’s income if they’re over State Pension age and on a low income. There are two different types of Pension Credit available:

• Guarantee Credit – ensures a minimum weekly income
• Savings Credit – for people with modest savings (for older claims).

When might your parent qualify?

Your parent may be eligible if they’re over State Pension age and have a low weekly income. Pension Credit is made up of two parts:

Guarantee Credit

This tops up weekly income to a minimum level if your parent’s income is below a set threshold.

Eligibility is based on:

• State Pension income (basic and additional)
• Other pensions
• Earnings or benefits
• Savings and investments (only amounts over £10,000 are counted)

Even if your parent’s income is slightly above the threshold, they may still qualify if they:

• Have a disability
• Are a carer
• Pay housing costs such as a mortgage.

Savings Credit

Savings Credit is only available to people who reached State Pension age before 6 April 2016. It provides a small extra payment for those who have modest savings or income above the basic State Pension.

Why claiming Pension Credit really matters

If your parent qualifies for Pension Credit, it can automatically entitle them to other help, including:

• Reduced or no Council Tax
• Free NHS dental treatment and help with glasses
• Help with rent or housing costs
• Winter Fuel and Cold Weather Payments
• A free TV licence if they’re over 75
• Extra amounts if they’re a carer or have a disability.

For many families, these additional benefits are worth more than the Pension Credit payment itself.

How to apply for Pension Credit

Applying is straightforward and can usually be done in one phone call.

You can apply:

• By phone with the Pension Credit claim line
• Online via GOV.UK.

For more information, read the government’s guidance on how to claim Pension Credit.

Council Tax Reduction

What is Council Tax Reduction?

Council Tax Reduction helps those on lower incomes, including those over retirement age, to pay their council tax bills. Making council tax payments manageable can help older people, or those who have a disability, remain at home. It is also sometimes called council tax support or council tax relief.

Who can qualify?

Your parent may be eligible for Council Tax Reduction if:

• They’re on a low income
• They receive Pension Credit
• They have a disability or long-term health condition
• They have dementia or are classed as severely mentally impaired

In some cases, your parent may be fully exempt from council tax, rather than receiving a partial reduction.

Pension Credit and Council Tax Reduction

If your parent receives Guarantee Pension Credit, they’ll usually qualify for a full council tax reduction – meaning they won’t have to pay anything.

If they receive Savings Credit only, they may still be entitled to a discount, depending on their income and savings.

How much could this benefit reduce costs?

Council Tax Reduction is worked out differently depending on where your loved one lives. It might be a percentage discount of their council tax bill, a fixed discount, or a complete payment of their council tax bill.

Does Council Tax Reduction affect other benefits?

No. Council Tax Reduction won’t reduce your parent’s existing benefits. Some benefits are also ignored when councils assess income, including:

• Attendance Allowance
• Disability Living Allowance
• Personal Independence Payment
• Child Benefit.

How to apply for Council Tax Reduction

Applications are made through your parent’s local council, usually online. You can apply on their behalf if they lack capacity.

If you don’t have all the information yet, you should still tell the council you intend to apply as claims can often be backdated.

Winter Fuel Payment

What is the Winter Fuel Payment?

The Winter Fuel Payment helps older people manage heating costs during winter.

Who is eligible?

Your loved one can get a Winter Fuel Payment if they were born before 22 September 1959 and live in England or Wales.

How much is the Winter Fuel Payment?

The amount ranges between £100 and £300 and depends on your parent’s age and living arrangements and is paid once per winter. For more information, read the government’s guidance on the Winter Fuel Payment.

When does the Winter Fuel Payment apply?

The qualifying week for determining eligibility for each year is usually around September, and the one-off payments are made in November or December. You’ll be told whether your loved one qualifies after the qualifying week, and how much they will get, usually by letter.

How to apply for the Winter Fuel Payment

If your parent doesn’t automatically receive the Winter Fuel Payment, you can help them claim it from 1st August for the upcoming winter. You’ll need their National Insurance number, bank details, and date of marriage (if applicable). Check they’re eligible (over 65 and UK residents during the qualifying week) and they’re not already receiving it. Claims can be made online or via phone.

Cold Weather Payment

What is the Cold Weather Payment?

Cold Weather Payments provide extra financial support during periods of very cold weather.

Who qualifies?

Your parent may qualify if they receive the following benefits:

• Pension Credit
• Income Support
• income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
• income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• Universal Credit
• Support for Mortgage Interest

How much is the Cold Weather Payment?

If your loved one is eligible, they will get £25 for each 7-day period of very cold weather between 1 November 2025 and 31 March 2026.

How to apply for the Cold Weather Payment

You or your loved one don’t need to apply. Payments are made automatically when the temperature drops below a set level.