The UK government offers several benefits for older people, including helping with heating costs and providing free TV licenses. These can either be paid as regular payments or through Universal Credit and Pension Credit benefits.
People aged 60 or over may also qualify for discounts on travel and entertainment costs, and can claim cash payments to help with disability, health issues, housing heating needs, funeral arrangements and other related costs.
Free bus travel
The National Entitlement Card (formerly bus pass) offers those aged 60 or over in Scotland free travel on most local and long-distance buses in Scotland, regardless of time of day or travel frequency. You can use your card any number of times – except premium fare night buses and city sightseeing buses (non-public services are excluded from this). Your National Entitlement Card also grants half fare discounts on Glider services from Colonsay to Islay via Jura Shetland Caithness North West Sutherland; for more information please visit Transport for Scotland’s website (TfS).
Bus passes are popular with people over 60, yet some campaigners have advocated to increase the age threshold to 66. One such campaigner initiated an online petition which has amassed over 18,300 signatures – as evidenced by over 18,300 signers of his online petition.
This petition asserts that free bus travel for older people promotes social inclusion and combats isolation – particularly in rural areas where public transport is essential to access healthcare, shops, and amenities.” According to research findings, bus pass holders were 37% less likely to engage in weekly sedentary behavior and 33% less likely to experience social isolation compared with non-pass holders; these benefits appear equal across various socioeconomic status (SES) groups. It has been reported that the government may revisit plans to raise eligibility ages for free bus passes.
Free rail travel
Senior Railcards allow those aged 60 or over as well as some disabled residents of Scotland to receive free or discounted train travel, providing one third off standard and first-class Anytime, Off-Peak, and Advance fares. You can check eligibility by visiting Transport Scotland’s website.
Many attractions offer discounts for older adults; be sure to inquire when making reservations or visiting attractions. It may also be worthwhile checking your local or regional council websites as they could provide even more attractive offers.
When reaching women’s state pension age (66 for men), pensioners in England qualify for free bus travel. You may also receive discounted or even free travel on buses and trains in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland at this age; in London residents aged 60 or above can use an Oyster photocard to travel across buses, tubes, trams and National Rail services from that point on.
There’s also the new Veterans Railcard, available for three years and offering 34% discounts off train tickets – perfect if you like taking day trips with the kids or visiting relatives! For more information about this and other travel cards available for over 60s visit Transport for All Scotland website.
Free TV Licence
An age 75+ pension credit recipient can obtain a complimentary TV licence. Unfortunately, many who qualify do not claim it; estimates suggest around one third do not claim.
Senior Citizens can take advantage of many discounts when travelling by bus and railway, such as discounted bus travel tickets and reduced railway ticket rates. Furthermore, seniors receive free prescriptions, NHS eye tests and dental treatment if certain criteria are met; those over 60 can even apply for a pensioner rail card to save money when booking tickets for trains.
The BBC is being accused of harassing elderly individuals who refuse to pay the PS159 annual TV license fee – previously free for over-75s until its discontinuation in 2020 – after failing to do so. Campaigners claim they have received “threatening” letters from the corporation after failing to do so.
Scottish Labour intends to address this problem by passing legislation to make it simpler and faster for eligible pensioners to secure their free television licence. They also plan on setting up a ‘Staying Connected’ fund which offers grants up to PS159 value towards paying the licence fee or digital connectivity bills.
Free funeral support
This new payment offers help for people arranging funerals with the costs. It will be distributed directly to either you or the individual arranging it if certain benefits are being received by both. You may qualify if the funeral takes place within six months.
Social Security Scotland will use a list that includes siblings, children and parents as potential sources of payment; aunts/uncles or cousins will only be considered if they were close enough for you.
Social Security Scotland will calculate reasonable funeral costs and deduct any money that the deceased owed toward paying for them; this amount should amount to around £1,800 without including additional items like flowers, cars or newspaper notices as part of this calculation.
Before applying, however, you will need to inform them if there was a will or estate that needed legal clearance – known in England and Wales as probate or confirmation respectively.
Your Funeral Support Payment can be reviewed or you may appeal the decision – to learn more, refer to our guide on appealing or contesting decisions.