State pensioners across the UK can boost their income by up to £14,289.10 from September with nine freebies and discounts from the Government. The money is available through several Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) benefits designed to support struggling pensioners with the rising cost of living, potentially giving those who are eligible a financial boost worth thousands of pounds.
Pension Credit is the key gateway benefit
The bulk of the financial support comes from the DWP benefit Pension Credit, which is available to pensioners on a low income in England, Scotland and Wales, and is paid separately to the State Pension. According to the DWP, the benefit is worth £4,300 per year on average and can top up your weekly income to £238 if you're single, or £363.25 if you have a partner.
But Pension Credit also unlocks access to a whole swathe of other freebies and financial perks, including a Council Tax discount, cheaper NHS treatment costs, and free TV licences for those over 75. According to the latest DWP statistics, the 2025 to 2026 financial year saw a 34% decrease in Pension Credit applications compared to the previous year, suggesting many pensioners are still missing out on support they are entitled to.
What the nine freebies and discounts include
Listed are the nine freebies and discounts pensioners could claim in September. Pension Credit itself is worth £4,300 on average, following a 4.8% uplift on April 6. It tops up weekly income to £238 for singles or £363.25 for couples. You must live in England, Scotland or Wales and have reached State Pension age to qualify.
If you're entitled to Pension Credit, you could also get Housing Benefit – worth around £1,000 per year according to Martin Lewis' MSE – if you rent and get the Guarantee element. A free TV Licence is available to those aged 75 and over, saving £180 on the annual fee, which rose from £174.50 to £180 on April 1. A Council Tax discount can range from around £300 for a 25% reduction on a typical Band D bill up to around £1,600 for a 100% discount.
Free NHS prescriptions are available in England to those getting the Guarantee Credit element, saving the £9.90 prescription charge. Free eye care, including a voucher for glasses or contact lenses, could be worth up to £215. Free NHS dental treatment, from a check-up to full dentures, could amount to up to £1,000 per year. A Royal Mail redirection discount saves £25 on the £87 standard cost, reducing it to £62 for Pension Credit claimants.
Attendance Allowance adds up to £5,959.20
Attendance Allowance helps with extra costs if you have a disability severe enough that you need someone to help look after you. As of April 6, it is worth £76.90 per week at the lower rate or £114.60 per week at the higher rate. If you have a severe disability requiring regular assistance day and night, you could claim the higher amount, worth up to £5,959.20 per year. There are around 56 categories of conditions which could make you eligible.
Sarah Pennells, consumer finance specialist at Royal London, said: “Pension Credit is a valuable benefit because it is a ‘gateway’ benefit. That means, if you’re able to claim it, you may also be able to get help with housing costs (through Council Tax discount and Housing Benefit or Support for Mortgage Interest).”
“You’re also eligible for a free TV licence if you’re aged 75 or over and you may be able to get help with NHS dental treatment, prescriptions and transport costs. If you’re entitled to these benefits, the state help you get could be very valuable and that could make a real difference to your finances. However, hundreds of thousands of people are missing out on Pension Credit. Our research showed that two in five people over State Pension age hadn't checked to see if they were entitled to Pension Credit.”
You can start an application for Pension Credit up to four months before you reach State Pension age and any time after, but your application can only be backdated by three months. You can apply online via GOV.UK or by calling the Pension Credit claim line on 0800 99 1234.
