Thousands of older people across Great Britain may be missing out on Pension Credit, a means-tested benefit that can provide an average of £4,300 in extra support during the 2026/27 financial year. Under Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) rules, successful claims can usually be backdated for a maximum of three months, as long as the claimant met the eligibility criteria during that period. This means new claimants could receive a lump sum on top of their ongoing weekly payments.
Nearly 1.4 million older people, including more than 125,000 living in Scotland, are currently receiving Pension Credit. However, the DWP estimates around 760,000 pensioners are entitled to the State Pension top-up but are not claiming it. Married pensioners with a combined weekly income of less than £363.25, or single pensioners with an income below £238.00, could be eligible.
Eligibility and Common Misconceptions
Some older people mistakenly believe that having savings or owning their home disqualifies them from the means-tested benefit. However, an award of just £1 per week can unlock additional support, including help with housing costs, heating bills, and Council Tax. The DWP recently confirmed that nearly 78% of all new claims for Pension Credit are processed within the target timeframe of 50 working days (10 weeks). This means older people on a low income making a new claim this month could receive their first payment and any arrears by October.
It is crucial for all older people—single, married, or cohabiting—to ensure they are claiming all the additional financial support they are entitled to this year to help boost their income and offset the ongoing cost of living crisis.
How Pension Credit Works
When you apply for Pension Credit, your income is calculated. If you have a partner, your income is calculated together. Pension Credit tops up your weekly income to £238.00 if you are single, or £363.25 if you have a partner. If your income is higher, you might still be eligible if you have a disability, care for someone, have savings, or have housing costs.
Income includes State Pension, other pensions, earnings from employment and self-employment, and most social security benefits such as Carer's Allowance. However, certain benefits are not counted as income, including Adult Disability Payment, Attendance Allowance, DWP Christmas Bonus, Child Benefit, Disability Living Allowance, Pension Age Disability Payment, Personal Independence Payment, social fund payments like Winter Fuel Allowance, Housing Benefit, and Council Tax Reduction.
Savings and Investments
If you have £10,000 or less in savings and investments, this will not affect your Pension Credit. If you have more than £10,000, every £500 over that amount counts as £1 income per week. For example, if you have £11,000 in savings, this counts as £2 income per week.
How to Check Eligibility and Apply
Older people, or friends and family, can quickly check eligibility and get an estimate of what they may receive by using the online Pension Credit calculator on GOV.UK. Alternatively, pensioners can contact the Pension Credit helpline directly to make a claim on 0800 99 1234, open from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday. Expert help and advice is also available from Independent Age, Income Max, Citizens Advice, and Age UK.
Additional Support for Pension Credit Recipients
If you qualify for Pension Credit, you can also access other help, such as Housing Benefit if you rent, Support for Mortgage Interest if you own your home, Council Tax discount, a free TV licence if you are aged 75 or over, help with NHS dental treatment, glasses, and transport costs for hospital appointments, help with heating costs through the Warm Home Discount Scheme, and a discount on the Royal Mail redirection service if you are moving house.
Mixed Age Couples and Pension Credit
In May 2019, the law changed so that a 'mixed age couple'—where one partner is of State Pension age and the other is under it—are considered a 'working age' couple when checking entitlement to means-tested benefits. This means they cannot claim Pension Credit or pension age Housing Benefit until both partners reach State Pension age.
Using the Pension Credit Calculator
To use the calculator on GOV.UK, you will need details of your earnings, benefits, pensions, savings, and investments, as well as the same for your partner if you have one. The calculator asks a series of questions, including your date of birth, residential status, where in the UK you live, whether you are registered blind, which benefits you receive, how much you receive each week from any benefits, whether someone is paid Carer's Allowance to look after you, how much you get each week from pensions, any employment earnings, and any savings, investments, or bonds. After answering, a summary screen shows your responses, and the calculator displays how much benefit you could receive each week. You can then follow a link to the application page to find out exactly what you will get from the DWP.
The calculator cannot be used if you or your partner are deferring your State Pension, own more than one property, are self-employed, or have housing costs that are neither mortgage repayments nor rent covered by Housing Benefit.
How to Make a Claim
You can start your application up to four months before you reach State Pension age. You can claim any time after reaching State Pension age, but your claim can only be backdated for three months. This means you can get up to three months of Pension Credit in your first payment if you were eligible during that time. You will need your National Insurance number, information about your income, savings, and investments, and your bank account details if applying by phone or post. If you are backdating your claim, you will need details of your income, savings, and investments on the date you want your claim to start. You can apply online if you have already claimed your State Pension and there are no children or young people included in your claim.
