Information & advice

This paper contains information on the concessions available to older people. Most concessions are ‘discretionary’, so you will need to ask about them and they may be limited to people with particular circumstances.

 

Health

• Prescriptions and eye tests are free to people of 60 or over, regardless of income or
  savings.
• NHS hearing aids are available on free loan; replacements and batteries are
  also free.
• Primary Care Trusts have criteria that they use to decide who is eligible for
  free NHS chiropody services. 
• No automatic entitlement for pensioners to free dental treatment, or help with the cost of glasses, wigs and fabric
  supports, or travel costs to hospital,
• The Department of Health leaflet HC 11 explains entitlement to help with health costs.

Money matters

• Pensions and money benefits are not ‘concessions’ but older people do become entitled to increases in tax allowances at age 65.
• People over 60 may be entitled to Pension Credit so it is worth checking entitlement occasionally.

Heating

• Energy efficiency Government grants are available for householders aged 60 or over who receive income related benefits. 
• Central heating systems will be offered in certain circumstances and these installations will be accompanied by insulation measures.
• Some households will be offered replacement energy efficient boilers or repairs.
• The maximum amount for a Warm Front Plus grant will be £2500.

Telephones

• There is no specific concession for older people wanting to have a telephone installed, or towards use of a telephone. Social Services are required (under the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970) to help with installation costs in certain circumstances;
  some local authorities also help to pay towards rental.
• British Telecom itself offers no concessions, although it has a Light User Scheme for people who make very few calls in
  any quarter.

Television

• There is a very limited television licence concessions scheme which grants a £5 licence to retired people of pension age, disabled people, or mentally ill or people with learning difficulties provided that they live in a ‘home’.
• This concession is not available to older people living on their own or with a partner in their own home.
• Households with someone of 75 or over have been entitled to a free TV licence since November 2000.

Education and Leisure

• Concessions on adult education classes and the use of leisure facilities are generally available but vary from 25% to 100% depending on the local provider.
• Some councils have ‘Leisure Passports’ which entitle the user to a whole range of services at a discount.
• Museums and galleries usually have free entry and places of entertainment, such as theatres, may offer reduced admission especially for matinees.
• Some libraries have free internet access.
• Hairdressers and barbers often offer special rates for older people at certain times of the week.
• Organisations such as the ‘National Trust’ provide reduced subscriptions.

Travel

There are two main classes of travel concessions for older people:

• The first type is known as the Senior Railcard. This can be bought at main railway stations; is available for all older people aged 60 and over. It entitles the holder to a third off most railway fares anywhere within Great Britain. Senior Railcard holders can also buy a Rail Europ Senior Card for savings of up to 25% on cross boarder rail travel in Europe.
• The second class of concessions is provided by local authorities. These may be a bus (and train) pass entitling the holder to free or reduced fare travel, or tokens to a set value which can be exchanged for journeys.
• All local authorities in England must offer free or reduced bus fares to everyone over 60.
• From April 2006 there will be free off peak bus travel for disabled people and those aged over 60, throughout England.

Passports

Since October 2004 every British Citizen born on or before 2 September 1929 is entitled to a free passport. Those eligible can apply for their free passport through the normal application route.

Further information

For more details please download our factsheet at the top right of this screen.