State Pension providing essential financial help

The latest figures from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) show the State Pension is providing essential financial support for many people living in Lanarkshire.

This regular payment is now worth up to £221.20 per week for those on the New State Pension (claimed after April 6, 2016), or £169.50 each week for the Basic State Pension (Category A or B).

How much someone receives from the contributory benefit depends on the number of National Insurance years they have accrued before reaching the current retirement age of 66.

You need at least 10 to qualify for any State Pension payment.

For older people in Lanarkshire approaching the official age of retirement over the coming months this year, it’s important to know which benefits will continue, new ones you may now qualify for and those you can no longer make a new claim for.

Your State Pension age is the same as your Pension Credit qualifying age unless you are a man born before December 6, 1953.

People can check their State Pension age and whether they can start claiming

Pension Credit on the‘check your State Pension age’page of the GOV.UK website.

When you reach State Pension age you can no longer claim Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance; Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA); Income Support; or Universal Credit.

You cannot make a new claim for Disability Living Allowance (DLA), Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Adult Disability Payment (ADP).

The new devolved disability benefit has replaced all new claims for PIP for people in Scotland once you have reached State Pension age.

However, if you were already receiving DLA, PIP, or ADP you can renew the claim even though you are over State Pension age.

This can only be done as long as you are claiming for the same health conditions you received the award for and your last claim ended less than 12 months before you reached State Pension age.

The DWP has said DLA claimants in Lanarkshire who were born before April 8, 1948, will not be transferred to PIP, however, those born after that date will be.

Visit GOV.UK to find out further information.