Cancer benefits if you are of pension age

There are benefits you can claim if you are of state pension age.

State Pension

The State Pension is paid by the government every week. The age you can get State Pension depends on when you were born.

There are two types of State Pension:

• basic State Pension

• new State Pension

Basic State Pension

You can get basic State Pension if you're:

• a man born before 6 April 1951

• a woman born before 6 April 1953

You must have made or been credited with National Insurance contributions to get the basic State Pension. You need a total of 30 qualifying years to get the full amount. That can be:

• working and paying National Insurance

• receiving National Insurance Credits such as for unemployment, sickness or if you're a parent or carer

• paying National Insurance contributions on a voluntary basis

You can get basic State Pension only once you have reached State Pension age.

New State Pension

You qualify for the new State Pension if you're:

• a man born on or after 6 April 1951

• a woman born on or after 6 April 1953

You need a total of 10 qualifying years on your National Insurance record to get any new State Pension and 35 years to get the full amount. The 10 years don't have to be in a row and can be:

• working and paying National Insurance

• receiving National Insurance Credits such as for unemployment, sickness or if you're a parent or carer

• paying National Insurance contributions on a voluntary basis

People who have lived or worked in another country might still get some new State Pension.

If you've made married women's or widow's reduced rate contributions you might also qualify.

Pension Credit

Pension Credit (PC) gives financial support to people of State Pension age.

You may get more Pension credit if you have:

• a disability
• are a carer
• are responsible for a child or young person

To get Pension Credit, you must:

• live in England, Scotland or Wales

• have reached State Pension age

The process is slightly different in Northern Ireland.

A couple can get Pension Credit if either:

• you have both reached State Pension age

• one of you gets Housing Benefit for people over State Pension age

Where to get advice

You can get help and advice on benefits from the following people:

• a hospital or community social worker - they can give you advice on benefits and help you deal with debts
• a welfare rights adviser at a hospital
• Citizens Advice - their advisers can help with filling out benefit forms
• The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) provide its service through Jobcentre Plus offices. They deal with benefits for people who are unemployed or who can’t work because of a health condition or a disability

Northern Ireland

In Northern Ireland, the Department for Communities deals with benefits and pensions. For Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) and Income Support in Northern Ireland, you need to contact your Jobs and Benefits office.

Macmillan Cancer Support

Macmillan Cancer Support provides support and guidance on how to deal with the financial impact of cancer.

You can contact their team of trained Welfare Rights Advisors (Monday-Friday 8am-8pm) or Financial Guides (Monday-Friday 8am-6pm) on 0808 808 0000.