There are five DWP benefits which stop the day you reach state pension age and many pensioners are ‘blindsided’ by the cut off
Countless Brits are being ‘blindsided’ by ‘cut-off’ regulations that withdraw five Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) benefits the moment they reach State Pension age. Ed Gallois, Managing Director of Funeral Guide, says pensioners are losing out on vital support simply because they’re unaware of what happens as soon as they become 66 years old.
“We regularly see people missing out on thousands because they simply don’t realise what changes overnight at State Pension age,” Gallois said. “The system isn’t easy to navigate. You have to ask the right questions, and sadly, too many people only discover the changes when their income suddenly drops.”
This emerges as a government review explores potential future rises to the State Pension age, reports Wales Online. Based on official figures, males aged 66 in 2025 are expected to live another 19.2 years, and females another 21.8 years.
Data from the Third State Pension Age Review reveals the number of people at State Pension age or above will surge by 55% over five decades. The statistics show it’s predicted to leap from 12.6 million in 2025 to 19.5 million by 2075.
The existing legislative blueprint will increase the State Pension age to 67 between 2026 and 2028 and then to 68 between 2044 and 2046. This follows costs climbing from around 3.5% of GDP in the early 2000s to approximately 5%.
Once you hit State Pension age, it’s time to claim your State Pension, which is a steady payment from the government, and you’ll no longer need to pay National Insurance. Remember, you have to claim it on your own; it doesn’t happen automatically, but you’ll get an invitation letter to guide you. After that, you can decide whether to start getting your payments right away or hold off on them to possibly boost your future payments.
What DWP benefits stop at 66?
- Universal Credit
- Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Employment and Support Allowance
- Income Support
- New PIP claims (must switch to Attendance Allowance instead)
Personal Independence Payment (PIP) cannot be initiated once you reach State Pension age, even if you develop a disability later. Instead, people must apply for Attendance Allowance, which pays up to £108.55 a week.
Universal Credit also concludes, with Pension Credit taking over. This tops up income for single pensioners earning less than £218.15 a week or couples below £332.95, and it serves as a gateway to other support like free TV licences for those over 75.
Employment and Support Allowance ends at 66, as does Jobseeker’s Allowance. Government data reveals employment rates drop by more than ten percentage points between age 65 and 66.
Pensioners may be eligible for Housing Benefit or Council Tax Reduction. Those over pension age can’t claim the New Style Bereavement Support Payment either, though surviving partners may receive a portion of their late partner’s State Pension.
Is there anything you can claim instead?
Winter Fuel Payments worth up to £300 kick in at State Pension age, while weather-payments-2019-what-13874235>Cold Weather Payments may be available during freezing spells. Free NHS prescriptions and eye tests are also provided in England, while the Senior Railcard offer significant transport savings.
According to Gallois, one particularly valuable scheme is the Funeral Expenses Payment. It is worth up to £2,000 for those on qualifying benefits and covers burial or cremation costs and other essentials.
If you’ve reached state pension age, you typically won’t be able to claim the Bereavement Support Payment, however you might still qualify for a Funeral Expenses Payment from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) provided you’re receiving certain benefits and satisfy the eligibility requirements for the funeral you’re organising in England, Wales, or Northern Ireland.
You must submit a claim within six months of the funeral, and you’re able to claim beforehand if you possess an invoice from the funeral director. The payment is a grant that doesn’t require repayment, though it could be recovered from the deceased’s estate if they possessed adequate assets.
According to the UK Parliament, numerous people lose out on Funeral Expense Payments because they’re unaware of the assistance or find the eligibility and application process bewildering. “As living costs rise, knowing your rights is a lifeline, not a luxury,” Gallois added.
“Even small top-ups or discounts can make the difference between just scraping by and having a little breathing space.” He explained this phase of life is when many individuals begin considering not just their own future, but their families’ as well. “Covering day-to-day bills, planning for care needs, and even considering funeral costs, it can all feel overwhelming. That’s why it’s so important to understand what support is available.”