Benefits rates and income/savings thresholds

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This factsheet provides details of benefits rates and savings thresholds as of April 2015. It is designed to be used in conjunction with various Alzheimer's Society factsheets about benefits and how to apply for them, especially factsheet 413, Benefits (see list in 'Further reading' section at the end of this factsheet.)

Care and mobility benefits

Attendance allowance

Higher rate £82.30 weekly
Lower rate £55.10 weekly

Disability living allowance

Personal care component

Higher rate £82.30 weekly
Middle rate £55.10 weekly
Lower rate £21.80 weekly

Mobility component

Higher rate £57.45 weekly
Lower rate £21.80 weekly

Personal independence payment

Personal independence payment (PIP) has replaced Disability living allowance for all new claims after June 2013.

Daily living component

Enhanced rate £82.30 weekly
Standard rate £55.10 weekly

Mobility component

Enhanced rate £57.45 weekly
Standard rate £21.80 weekly

Paying for care

NHS-funded nursing care

The standard rate in England is £112.00 per week.
In Wales, the rate is £140.90 per week.
In Northern Ireland, the rate is £100 per week.

Payment of home care and care home fees

Upper savings threshold in England (above which the person has to pay all their costs) is £23,250.

Lower savings threshold in England (below which a person's savings are no longer taken into account, although all other income including benefits and pensions is still counted) is £14,250.

In Wales, the upper amount is £24,000 (so that if people have savings below £24,000 the local authority will pay for all of their care).

Personal expenses allowance for people in care

£24.90 weekly in England
£25.50 weekly in Wales

Benefits if unable to work

Employment and support allowance (ESA)

For the first 13 weeks of your claim you will be paid the assessment phase rate.

If aged 25 or over £73.10 weekly
If aged 18-24 £57.90 weekly

From week 14 onwards you will receive main phase ESA with either a work-related activity component or a support component in addition to your basic rate.

Basic rate £73.10 weekly
Work-related activity component £29.05 weekly
Support component £36.20 weekly

Incapacity benefit

Long-term (after 52 weeks) £105.35 weekly

Statutory sick pay

Standard rate £88.45 weekly (you need to be earning at least £112 a week to qualify).

Income support

Available to people over the age of 16 until they are eligible for Pension credit. You need to have capital (savings and other assets) of less than £16,000 to be able to claim.

Personal allowance (if aged over 25) £73.10 weekly
Couple (both aged over 18) £114.85 weekly
Enhanced disability premium £15.75 weekly
Severe disability premium £61.85 weekly

People entitled to Pension credit should claim this instead of Income support.

Carers' needs

Carer's allowance is £62.10 weekly (earnings threshold is £110 - if you earn £110 a week or more after deductions, you are not entitled to claim).

Retirement

Basic pension is £115.95 weekly.

Pension credit

Standard minimum guarantee

Single person £151.20 weekly
Couple £230.85 weekly
Additional amount for severe disability is £61.85 weekly per qualifying person.
Additional amount for carers is £34.60 weekly.

Savings credit (maximum payable)

Single person £14.82 weekly
Couple £17.43 weekly

Help with housing costs

Housing benefit

Capital limits

Upper capital limit is £16,000 (if Pension credit guarantee is being paid, there is no upper capital limit).
Lower capital limit if under the qualifying age for Pension credit guarantee is £6,000.
Lower capital limit if above the qualifying age for Pension credit guarantee or permanently residing in a care home is £10,000.

Benefits cap

Claimants may find their Housing benefit reduced if their income is more than £350 per week for single people or £500 per week for couples.

Winter fuel payments for winter 2015/16

This year, for a person born on or before 5 January 1953 and living in the UK throughout the week of 21 September 2015 (these dates change every year), living alone, or living with other people who do not qualify for a winter payment, £200 (one-off payment).

For a person receiving Pension credit, income-based Jobseeker's allowance (JSA), or income-related Employment and support allowance (ESA), £200. Please note the husband/wife or civil partner living with the person will not be entitled to a payment.

£100 each (£200 in total) for a couple who both qualify.

£300 for people aged 80 or over (maximum per household).

To qualify for the winter fuel payment if you live in a care home, you need to have been living there for 13 weeks or more (prior to the qualifying date, see above). Additionally, you must not be receiving income-based Jobseeker's allowance, Pension credit, or income-related Employment and support allowance. If you do qualify, the amount of your payment will be £100, or £150 if aged over 80.

Help with NHS costs

NHS benefits

You can qualify if you receive certain benefits or have a valid tax credit exemption certificate, or if you receive income-related Employment and support allowance or Pension credit guarantee.

NHS low income scheme

You need to have capital under £16,000 (£23,250 if living in a care home) to qualify.