Once you reach the State Pension age in the UK, which is currently 66 for both men and women, your eligibility for many income-related and disability benefits from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) changes significantly. This transition affects not just your entitlement to new benefits but also whether you can continue receiving existing ones.

As part of a broader policy to shift financial support to age-appropriate schemes like State Pension and Pension Credit, several DWP benefits either stop or become inaccessible once an individual crosses the State Pension threshold.

With further increases to the pension age planned between 2026 and 2028 (when it rises to 67), understanding what changes is crucial for planning retirement and avoiding unexpected financial gaps.

DWP Benefits That End or Cannot Be Newly Claimed at Pension Age

1. Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
   You are no longer eligible for this benefit once you reach State Pension age. It is designed for working-age individuals seeking employment.
2. New Style (Contributory) JSA
   This benefit also ends at State Pension age, even if you’re actively looking for work.
3. Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
   ESA is not available to pensioners, as it’s intended for those of working age unable to work due to illness or disability.
4. New Style ESA (Contributory ESA)
   This benefit is also not payable beyond State Pension age.
5. Income Support
   This low-income benefit is stopped once you reach State Pension age.
6. Universal Credit (UC)
   Universal Credit is generally not claimable past State Pension age unless you are part of a mixed-age couple (one partner under pension age).
7. Bereavement Support Payment
   This support is only available to those under State Pension age at the time of their partner’s death.
8. Widowed Parent’s Allowance
   This stops at pension age, with financial support transitioning to other schemes such as Pension Credit.
9. Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
   You cannot make a new PIP claim once you reach pension age, though existing claims may continue under specific conditions.
10. Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
    Like PIP, no new claims are allowed past State Pension age, though existing recipients may continue to receive it.
11. Adult Disability Payment (Scotland)
    This Scottish benefit follows the same rule: no new claims after State Pension age.

Benefits You Can Still Claim After Reaching State Pension Age

While several benefits become inaccessible, the government offers other age-specific support:

• State Pension – Automatically payable if you’ve made sufficient National Insurance contributions.
• Pension Credit – Top-up for low-income pensioners to boost weekly income.
• Attendance Allowance – For individuals needing care support due to illness or disability past pension age.
• Carer’s Allowance – For individuals caring for someone for 35+ hours weekly.
• Housing Benefit – May be available to help cover rent if you’re on a low income.
• Council Tax Reduction – Help with council tax bills for low-income pensioners.
• Winter Fuel Payment – Annual tax-free payment for heating bills.
• Cold Weather Payment – Paid if the temperature falls to zero degrees or below for seven days.
• Warm Home Discount – Energy discount for eligible pensioners.
• Free NHS Prescriptions and Eye Tests – Available after turning 60 in most parts of the UK.
  Check NHS eligibility
• Free Bus Pass and TV Licence Concession – Available in England and devolved nations once you reach pension age. TV licences are free for over-75s receiving Pension Credit.

Special Notes for Mixed-Age Couples

If you’re in a couple where only one person has reached State Pension age, you may still qualify for certain working-age benefits like Universal Credit. However, once both partners reach pension age, eligibility transitions to pension-age-specific benefits.

Final Thoughts

As you approach retirement, it’s important to regularly review your benefit entitlements. Many benefits phase out, but others take their place to ensure older citizens receive adequate financial support.

To avoid any disruption to your income, stay informed by consulting Citizens Advice or Turn2Us, both of which offer comprehensive tools and free guidance for benefit checks.

This article has been carefully fact-checked by our editorial team to ensure accuracy and eliminate any misleading information. We are committed to maintaining the highest standards of integrity in our content.