State pensioners with additional care responsibilities are set to receive weekly top-up payments of £49.15 from April with a single claim to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
The payment is available as an extra Pension Credit amount for people in England, Scotland and Wales who have reached State Pension age, are on a low income and care for another adult. Currently, Pension Credit can top up your weekly income to £238 if you're single or your joint weekly income to £363.25 if you have a partner, but in some cases the payment can be topped up with additional amounts.
Who qualifies for the extra amount
For those who get Carer's Allowance Support (or Carer Support Payment in Scotland), or have claimed Carer's Allowance but aren't being paid because you already get another benefit at a higher amount, it's possible to get an extra £48.15 per week from the DWP.
But this rate is due to increase by 3.5% from April in line with Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation for the year to September 2026, taking the weekly payment up to £49.15 from April.
As the benefit is paid by the DWP every four weeks, this amounts to £196.60 in each four-week payment period, on top of your regular Pension Credit amount.
How the boost fits with other payments
Pension Credit, plus the additional weekly amount, is paid separately to the State Pension, so it effectively acts as a boost to your regular payments, and it can be claimed even if you have other income, savings or own your own home.
Confirming the 3.5% rise to the Pension Credit additional amount for pensioners who care for another adult from April, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Pat McFadden said: “The standard minimum guarantee in Pension Credit will also increase by 3.9% in line with the increase in average weekly earnings. From April, it will be £247.30 a week for a single pensioner and £377.40 a week for a couple, ensuring the incomes of the poorest pensioners are protected.
“Other State Pension and benefit rates covered by my statutory review will be increased by 3.5%, in line with the increase in the consumer prices index in the year to September 2026.
“This includes most working-age benefits and other benefits for people below State Pension age; benefits to help with additional needs arising from disability; statutory payments including statutory sick pay and statutory maternity pay; and additional state pension. The Pension Credit savings credit maximum amount will also increase by 3.5%.”
Take-up remains low
According to the DWP, Pension Credit is currently worth £4,500 per year on average but the benefit also unlocks access to a wealth of other freebies and financial support, including a council tax discount, help with housing and NHS treatment costs, and free TV licences for those over 75, making it a valuable source of income for older people.
According to the government statistics, only 62% of entitled pensioners are currently claiming Pension Credit, so take-up for the benefit remains relatively low across the UK. This leaves up to an estimated £2.5 billion unclaimed funds annually, which amounts to around £2,600 per year for each claimant entitled to receive it who didn't claim it.
DWP statistics show there was a 34% decrease in Pension Credit applications in the 2025/26 financial year compared to the year before, suggesting many pensioners are still missing out on support they are entitled to.
Commenting on the perks of claiming Pension Credit, 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.”
