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Over 50s
Guide to benefits in retirement
When you retire, your income will usually be less than when you were working. To help you manage,you may be able to get certain benefits and financial support in addition to your State Pension. Some benefits are age-related, others depend on your income test.
Veterans' benefits and pensions
Anyone who has served in the UK Armed forces, including widows, widowers and their dependants, may be entitled to help with pensions, health, employment and other payments.
Understanding Pension Credit
If you're 60 or over you may be entitled to Pension Credit – extra money to top up your income. It's made up of two elements – the 'guarantee credit' element and the 'Savings Credit' element (which may be payable from age 65).
Pension Credit and free school meals
Children whose parents, carers or guardians receive the guarantee credit element of Pension Credit are entitled to free school meals or milk. The education department of your local authority must provide free school meals to eligible students where requested.
Cold Weather Payment
You may be eligible for a Cold Weather Payment to help with extra heating costs during periods of very cold weather. Payments are made automatically – you don't need to claim.
Winter Fuel Payment
If you're aged 60 or over you may get a Winter Fuel Payment to help with fuel bills. The tax-free annual benefit is normally paid from November - most payments are made by Christmas.
The Social Fund
The Social Fund provides one-off payments and interest-free loans to help with expenses in certain situations.
Crisis Loans
Crisis Loans are interest-free loans if you need financial help with an emergency or disaster.
Budgeting Loans
Budgeting Loans may be provided to help people on a low income to pay for things like furniture, clothes and travel.
Community Care Grants
If you need financial help to live independently in the community or to ease exceptional pressure on you or your family, you may be eligible for a Community Care Grant. You don't have to pay it back.
Funeral Payments
If you need financial help to pay for a funeral you're arranging, you may be able to get a one-off Funeral Payment. You might have to repay some or all of it from the estate of the person who died.
Help for people who have lost out on a pension
If you've lost out on a pension or your company becomes insolvent with insufficient funds in its pension scheme, there may be a way to access your pension.
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