Benefits rates and income/savings thresholds

This sheet gives details of benefit rates and savings thresholds as of April 2009. It is designed to be used in conjunction with various Alzheimer's Society sheets about benefits and how to apply.

Care and mobility needs

Attendance allowance

Higher rate £70.35 weekly
Lower rate £47.10 weekly

Disability living allowance (care component)

Higher rate £70.35 weekly
Middle rate £47.10 weekly
Lower rate £18.65 weekly

Disability living allowance (mobility component)

Higher rate £49.10 weekly
Lower rate £18.65 weekly

Unable to work

Incapacity benefit

Short term (lower rate for first 28 weeks)
Person below pension age £67.75 weekly
Person above pension age £86.20 weekly

Short term (higher rate after 28 weeks)
Person below pension age £80.15 weekly
Person above pension age £89.80 weekly

Long term (after 52 weeks) £89.80 weekly

Employment and support allowance

During assessment phase (first 13 weeks)
Person under 25 up to £50.95 weely
Person over 25 up to £64.30 weekly

During main phase (from week 14)
Person in work related activity group up to £89.80 weekly
Person in support group up to £95.15 weekly

Carers' needs

Carer's allowance £53.10 weekly
Income threshold (over which a person cannot claim) £95 a week

Retirement

Basic pension £95.25 weekly

Pension credit

Guaranteed income
Single person £130.00 weekly
Couple £198.45 weekly

Savings credit (maximum payable)
Single person £20.40 weekly
Couple £27.03 weekly

Income support

Under 60 £6,000
60 or over £6,000

Savings threshold for person in residential care £12,000 to £16,000

Care costs

NHS funded registered nursing care contribution

From 1 October 2007, one flat-rate band, replaced the previous three separate bands. From 1 April 2009 the standard rate is £106.30 per week. Those who previously received the high band rate will receive £142.80 and continue to do so unless their circumstances change.

In Wales the rate may vary from place to place, check with your local health board.

Payment of home care and care home fees

Upper savings threshold (above which person must pay all their costs) £23,000 (£22,000 in Wales)

Lower savings threshold (below which savings are no longer taken into account, but which will continue to take into account all income, including benefits and pensions)
£14,000 (£20,750 in Wales)

Personal expenses allowance for those in care
£21.90 (£22.00 in Wales)

Some other benefits

Housing benefit

Savings threshold £6,000 to £16,000

Winter fuel payments

For a person aged 60 or over living alone, or with other people who do not qualify for a winter payment £250 

For a person receiving pension credit, income-based jobseeker's allowance (JSA) or, income-related employment and support allowance (ESA) £250. Please note the husband/wife or civil partner living with the person will not be entitled to a payment

For a couple who both qualify £125 each (£250 in total)

For people aged 80 or over £400

NHS Benefits

Savings threshold for people under 60 £8,000
Savings threshold for people over 60 £16,000
Savings threshold for people in a care home £21,000

People receiving income support, income-based job seeker allowance, family credit or disability working allowance, providing their savings are less than £8,000, are entitled to:

• free prescriptions (prescriptions are free for everyone of retirement age)
• free dental treatment from NHS dentists
• free sight tests and vouchers towards the cost of glasses
• free wigs and fabric supports
• help with hospital travel costs for NHS treatment and free appliances for outpatients or day patients.

People not receiving income support or family credit but who are on a low income with no more than £8,000 in savings can apply for help towards NHS benefits. Ask your social security office, GP, dentist, optician or hospital for the claim form and leaflet.

NHS hearing aids, prescribed by an NHS consultant, are supplied to anyone needing them, on free loan. They are fitted, serviced and supplied with batteries free of charge.

Your local Alzheimer's Society branch will always be willing to talk to you and offer advice and information to support your needs.

For more information, Dementia Catalogue, our specialist dementia information resources is available on the website at alzheimers.org.uk/dementiacatalogue

Further information

For further information about the benefits detailed in this sheet and how to claim, see the following Alzheimer's Society factsheets:

• 463 Paying care home fees
• 469 When does the local authority pay for care?
• 413 Benefits
• 414 Council tax
• 428 Adaptations, improvements and repairs to the home

Factsheet 431

Last updated: February 2010
Last reviewed: February 2010

Reviewed by: Luke Warren, Information Officer (Legal and Welfare Rights), Alzheimer's Society