Claiming benefits

Couple claiming benefits

More than £5 billion of means-tested benefits go unclaimed by older people every year - let us help make it easier.

opens link in new window Try our benefits calculator today and put some more money in your pocket

Disability benefits

There are several benefits avaliable to people living with a disability - find out how to claim them
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Home & housing

Whether you want to reduce your council tax or get some help with your heating costs, these benefits could make living at home a little easier.
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Doctor examines older woman

Health & Care

You may be eligible for help towards dental treatment or travel costs to hospital.

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Pension credit

There are two parts of Pension Credit - you may be eligible to receive one or both of them.

Low income support

The Social Fund provides financial help to people on a low income who need help with extra expenses - from funeral payments to specialist loans.
Older lady taking benefits

Challenge it

If you don't agree you are receiving the full benefits that you are entitled to, seek further advice and information on how to appeal...
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Your Age UK

Set your location to see what Age UK offers in your local area.

Age UK Advice:
0800 169 6565
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Are you thinking about retirement?

The Age UK pension calculator is a pre-retirement planning tool. It can help you plan ahead.

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Attendance Allowance

If you’re over 65 and need help looking after yourself because you have a disability or illness, you may be able to get Attendance Allowance

Useful information to download

  • A guide with information about claiming benefits if you're over 60.
  • An information guide about the benefits you are entitled to if you're under 60.
  • View all advice downloads
    Help with downloads

    Downloads

    What is a download?

    A download is a document (like a research report, a leaflet, or an application form) that can be transferred from our website to your computer. You can download a file, view it on your screen, print it, or save it to your computer.

    What is a PDF?

    PDF stands for ‘portable document format’.

    Most downloads on this website are PDFs. We use this format to ensure that the document looks the same on everyone’s computer (website pages, by contrast, appear differently depending on how people have set their computer up).

    How do I download a PDF?

    Computers use a program called Adobe Acrobat Reader to download PDFs. If you try clicking on a link to download a PDF and it doesn’t work, you will need to install Adobe Acrobat Reader onto your computer.

    How do I install Adobe Acrobat Reader?

    The process is quite straightforward and is free.

    1. Go to opens link in new window opens link in new window http://get.adobe.com/uk/reader/
    2. Click ‘Download’.
    3. Wait for the window to offer you the option to ‘Run’, then choose this option.
    4. Click ‘Next’.
    5. Click ‘Install’
    6. Wait for the window to offer you the option to ‘Finish’, then choose this option.

    How do I change a download?

    PDFs cannot be changed. If you need to be able to type into a downloaded document (for example, if we are offering a letter template that you need to put your name on) we will provide it as a Microsoft Word document rather than a PDF. You can then download it, type into it and save it to your computer.

    How do I print or save a download?

    Downloads will open on your computer in a new browser window.

    Inside this window (below all your web browser menus), there will be a toolbar with options for you to print or save the document.

    Close the browser window to return to the Age UK website.

    Can my screen reader read PDF downloads?

    We have made every effort to make our PDFs accessible to screen readers. Here is an overview of your accessibility options available in Acrobat Reader. Please ensure that you have downloaded the latest version of Acrobat Reader from the Adobe Reader website to ensure that they are included in your version of the programme.

    You can use Adobe Reader to read a PDF out loud with the following shortcut keys:

    • Read the document: Shift +Ctrl+Y
    • Read the open page only: Shift +Ctrl+V
    • Read to the end of the document: Shift+Ctrl+B
    • Pause: Shift+Ctrl+C
    • Stop Shift+Ctrl+E

    You can also convert a PDF into a web page by following these steps:

    • Copy the URL (web address) of the document (right-click on the link and select ‘Save target as’ or ‘Copy link’).
    • Open the Adobe online conversion tool in your browser and paste the URL into the URL box.
    • Tick the HTML box on the Format option and click ‘Convert’.

    You can convert a PDF document into a text file for use with other software and hardware such as Braille printers by opening the PDF and choosing ‘Save as text’ from the File menu.

We are grateful for the generous support of Dr Naim Dangoor CBE and The Exilarch's Foundation

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