Benefits Guide
If you need advice on what benefits you are entitled to, we can explain what benefits are available for older people and if required assist with completing benefit applications.
The main benefits you may qualify for are:
- The State Pension - the basic pension is paid to people who have reached pension age and have made sufficient National Insurance contributions.
- Pension Credit (replaces Minimum Income Guarantee or Income support) This tops up your pension if you have a low income and limited savings.
- Housing Benefit and council tax benefit
These benefits can help towards your rent and/or council tax. This benefit depends on your income and level of savings. - Attendance Allowance
You may qualify for attendance allowance if you are aged 65 or over and need help with personal care or if you need someone with you perhaps because you are in danger of falling.or need supervision. Attendance allowance is not means tested and it does not matter whether you actually receive any help - what matters is that you need help. - Disability Living Allowance
This benefit is for people under 65 who need help with personal care and / or have mobility problems. - Carers Allowance - you may be eligible if you care for someone who receives Attendance Allowance or Disability Living Allowance. This depends on the level of State Pension or earnings you receive.
- Help with Health Costs
If you receive the guarantee part of Pension Credit you can also receive help with some NHS costs such as free dental treatment, fares to hospital and help towards glasses. You may get some help towards these costs if you do not receive Pension Credit, but you are on a low income and have limited savings.
Age Concern Torbay can carry out a free confidential benefit check and help you to apply for any benefits you may be entitled to. If you would like to have a benefits check, or if you need further information on benefits or would like to discuss anything about benefits please contact us :
email reception@ageconcerntorbay.org.uk or Telephone 01803 555181.
If you do make an appointment for a benefits check, it would help us if you would download and complete the Benefit Sheet before you meet with us.
Download 
More about pdfs
Benefit Sheet
Information on benefits can also be found on our fact sheet.
fs 18: A Brief Guide to Money Benefits
You can also visits the Department of Work and Pensions website www.dwp.gov.uk for further information regarding all benefits