The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is preparing to send a crucial letter to millions of retirees across the UK. The communication will be issued to everyone in receipt of the State Pension, Attendance Allowance, or Pension Credit.
This move comes ahead of a significant uplift in payments scheduled for the start of the new financial year in April 2026. The DWP initiative aims to ensure pensioners are fully informed about the increases and to encourage take-up of benefits many are entitled to but do not claim.
Substantial Payment Increases Confirmed
From April 2026, pensioners will see their incomes rise in line with inflation. The government uses the inflation rate for the year to September, which this year stands at 3.8%, to determine the annual uprating of benefits and tax credits.
The basic and new State Pension will see a larger increase of 4.8%. This means the full weekly rate for the new State Pension, for those who reached State Pension age on or after 6 April 2016, will rise to £241.30, up from £230.25.
For those on the basic State Pension, the core weekly amount will increase to £184.90, up from £176.45.
Beyond the State Pension: Other Vital Support
It is not just the State Pension that is increasing. Other key benefits for older people on low incomes or with health conditions are also set for a boost.
Pension Credit, a vital top-up for those on a low income, will rise. The weekly rate for single people will increase to £238 from £227, while couples will see their payment go up to £363 from £346.
Payments for severely disabled pensioners and the additional amount for carers will also see an uplift. Furthermore, Attendance Allowance (AA), which helps those of State Pension age with severe disability or illness, will increase in line with the 3.8% inflation figure.
The Challenge of Unclaimed Benefits
A persistent issue highlighted by this DWP campaign is the large number of pensioners who fail to claim all the financial support they are entitled to. This can be due to a lack of awareness about available benefits, confusion over eligibility rules, or concerns about the claiming process.
The DWP letter serves as a direct prompt for retirees and their partners to check their eligibility, especially if they are on a low income, have limited savings, or have a health condition or disability that makes daily life more challenging.
The government is legally required to review benefit levels annually to ensure they keep pace with the cost of living. The forthcoming letters are a key part of the process, informing claimants of the exact changes to their payments before they take effect in April 2026.
