Benefits: what people affected by dementia need to know

Claiming benefits can sometimes seem daunting, but you could be surprised by what you’re eligible for. 

Even for means-tested benefits, which take savings and income into account, the value of your home is always ignored. 

And not all benefits are means-tested – some are based on national insurance or the specific needs that you have. 

If a benefit doesn’t seem worth getting in your situation, check what additional help (such as cost of living payments) you get with it, as that could make a claim worthwhile. 

Get a benefits check to see what you’re entitled to receive. Here are some examples.

Note: for some means-tested benefits, a partner or spouse’s finances may be taken into account as well as yours.

I have dementia and I’m of working age 

If you stop working, you may be able to draw from a workplace pension (but always get financial advice before doing this). 

Working or not, Personal independence payment (PIP) covers additional costs due to disability, and this can include dementia.

You may get daily living or mobility components, or both. If both, this could be up to £184.30 per week. 

Universal credit helps with living costs. You get a standard allowance at first, but if you’re assessed as having ‘limited capability for work and work-related activity’ you’ll get an extra £416.19 per month. How much you get may be affected by savings over £6,000, or by a partner’s income. 

Employment and support allowance (ESA) is based on national insurance contributions and isn’t affected by savings or income. If you can’t do work-related activity (including training courses or voluntary work), you could claim this for longer than a year.

I have dementia and I’m over state pension age 

The Guarantee credit element of Pension credit helps with living costs. Whether you’re eligible depends on your income and how much you’re seen as needing. 

For example, if a person who’s single and disabled has less than £299.65 per week, this would be topped up.

Even if you’d only get a small amount from Pension credit, claiming it makes you eligible for other help, such as full housing and council tax benefit. 

Attendance allowance helps with the costs of having a disability. It isn’t means-tested and could give you £108.55 per week. This doesn’t count as income if you claim Pension credit too. 

I’m a carer of working age 

You may be able to claim Universal credit, including a ‘carer element’. 

Or you could apply for Carer’s allowance, which isn’t means-tested so a partner’s income or your savings won’t matter. This would give you £81.90 per week.

You can work at the same time as claiming if you earn £151 or less a week after tax, national insurance and expenses. 

If you can’t get Universal credit or Carer’s allowance and aren’t working, Carer’s credit could prevent gaps in your national insurance contributions. 

I’m a carer on state pension 

State pension and Carer’s allowance overlap – even if you’re eligible for both, you’ll only actually get whichever one pays the most. 

However, if you’re eligible for Pension credit, claiming Carer’s allowance will top you up with an extra £45.60 per week. 

Help is out there 

Although the rules can seem complicated, a lot of help is available. Even if you’re initially turned down, 62% of appeals are successful overall – don’t give up! 

Find out which benefits you are entitled to, get a benefits check from a benefits adviser in your area through Citizens Advice or Age UK.