Benefits for older people
These are the benefits that you could claim if you are over state pension age and blind or partially sighted
Attendance Allowance
If you’re a pensioner, and you have a sight problem, you may have all sorts of extra expenses. Attendance Allowance can help you with these extra costs.
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Pension Credit
Pension Credit helps you top up your state retirement pension if you have a relatively low income. You may even get it if you have some savings and a modest retirement income, and it can be paid on top of your state retirement pension.
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Calculate your benefits
The benefits you’re entitled to depend on your own personal circumstances. We have an easy-to-use calculator that asks you some questions about your situation and then tells you exactly how much you may be missing out on.
Other benefits and concessions for older blind and partially sighted people
There are a number of concessions that you may be entitled to because of your age or sight loss or both.
- You can get free NHS sight tests if you are aged 60 or over. Find out more about help with NHS costs.
- You can get a free TV Licence if you, as the licence holder, are 75 or over and you or your partner, if you live at the same address, are in receipt of pension credit. Alternatively you can also get a 50 per cent reduction in the price of your TV Licence if you or someone you live with is registered blind (severely sight impaired).
- Your partner or someone else who cares for you may be able to get extra benefit for helping you. Find out more about benefits for carers.
People still in receipt of Disability Living Allowance (adults)
Personal Independence Payment (PIP) has replaced Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for all new claims, except in the case where you’re reclaiming within a year (for the same condition) and you were aged 65 years of age or over on 8 April 2013 (20 June 2016 if you are living in Northern Ireland).
Anyone aged 65 years or over on 8 April 2013 will continue to receive DLA and will not be assessed for PIP. You’ll stay on DLA if your entitlement is re-assessed after state pension age, provided the threshold for benefit continues to be met.
Anyone aged less than 65 years on 8 April 2013 will be reassessed for PIP, even if you’re over state pension age.
We’ve written a factsheet that you can download that explains more about the rules around continuing to claim DLA after state pension age.
If you are applying for DLA on behalf of a child, please see our Benefits for carers and children section.
Related FAQs
Questions that others have found useful.
