DWP benefits people can claim when they reach state pension age worth up to £757

If you are reaching state pension age - currently 66 - then there is a whole host of benefits you may be entitled to. The state pension itself is worth £235.15 a week if you reached the eligible age after April 6 2016 - although it's worth substantially less if you reached 66 before that date.

To be eligible you need to be the right age and have paid enough in national insurance contributions. To confirm whether you have paid enough national insurance contributions to qualify, you can request a State Pension statement. You can do this online at GOV.UK: Check your State Pension or you can contact the Pension Service by telephone or post.

However, besides the state pension, there are a number of other benefits you might be able claim, worth up to £757.

Attendance Allowance

Those with the common health issue that also claim the state pension may qualify people for Attendance Allowance from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

Recent DWP data shows that almost 1.7 million older Brits benefit from extra financial help through Attendance Allowance, as of August 2024. The cash is paid at two different rates, either £73.90 or £110.40 per week, equating to four-weekly payments of £295.60 or £441.60, respectively.

Pension Credit

Hundreds of thousands of pensioners are eligible to claim Pension Credit benefit - yet, they haven't applied for it. The benefit can boost a person's income by up to £4,200 a year on average, and it's estimated that a staggering 700,000 people are missing out.

For those eligible they could claim:

• £227.10 per week for single people
• £346.60 per week for couples

Winter Fuel Payment

The Winter Fuel Payment is a one-off payment to assist Brits struggling with their heating costs during the colder months. The amount you get will depend on your age and your personal circumstances during the 'qualifying week' of 15 to 21 September 2025.

If you're eligible, you should receive a letter in October or November telling you how much you'll get.

If you live alone or no one you live with is eligible for a Winter Fuel Payment, you'll get:

• £200 if you were born between 22 September 1945 and 21 September 1959
• £300 if you were born before 22 September 1945

If you live with a partner or someone else who is eligible for a Winter Fuel Payment and have a joint benefit claim, you'll get:

• £200 if both of you were born between 22 September 1945 and 21 September 1959
• £300 if one or both of you were born before 22 September 1945