State pensioners in England, Scotland and Wales are facing a change in Pension Credit eligibility this June, following a law change that began in April. The State Pension age is set to rise from 66 to 67 in phases over the next two years, starting from April 6, 2026, until 2028, under the Pension Act 2014.
As the age increase is phased in gradually, individuals whose 66th birthday falls within this two-year period will not only have to wait longer for their State Pension but also face a delay in claiming Pension Credit, a key financial benefit for those on a low income.
What Is Pension Credit?
Pension Credit provides extra money to pensioners on a low income to help with living costs. It is paid separately from the State Pension and can be claimed even if you have other income, savings, or own your home. Eligibility can also unlock additional financial help, including free TV licences, Council Tax reduction, heating cost assistance, and some NHS treatments.
New Eligibility Timetable
Following a 4.8% uplift in April, Pension Credit is now worth £238 per week for single claimants and £363.25 per week for couples. The average claim is worth £4,300 per year, according to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
Eligibility for Pension Credit is linked to State Pension age, meaning pensioners must now wait until they are 66 plus a specified number of months before they can claim. The DWP confirmed that the eligibility for Pension Credit follows the same timetable as the State Pension age increase to 67, which began on April 6 and affects anyone born on or after April 1960.
A DWP spokesperson told The Express: “On background, the qualifying age for Pension Credit is linked to State Pension age. This means it is rising in line with the increase in State Pension age and is currently 66 plus a specified number of months, depending on an individual’s birthday.”
How the Phased Increase Works
The amount of time pensioners must wait after turning 66 before becoming eligible depends on their birthday. Some may be only a month or two away from their 67th birthday when they can claim their first payment. The DWP has set out the following timetable for the gradual increase of State Pension age to 67, which also applies to Pension Credit eligibility in England, Scotland, and Wales:
- April 6, 1960 – May 5, 1960: 66 years and 1 month
- May 6, 1960 – June 5, 1960: 66 years and 2 months
- June 6, 1960 – July 5, 1960: 66 years and 3 months
- July 6, 1960 – August 5, 1960: 66 years and 4 months
- August 6, 1960 – September 5, 1960: 66 years and 5 months
- September 6, 1960 – October 5, 1960: 66 years and 6 months
- October 6, 1960 – November 5, 1960: 66 years and 7 months
- November 6, 1960 – December 5, 1960: 66 years and 8 months
- December 6, 1960 – January 5, 1961: 66 years and 9 months
- January 6, 1961 – February 5, 1961: 66 years and 10 months
- February 6, 1961 – March 5, 1961: 66 years and 11 months
- March 6, 1961 – April 5, 1977: 67 years
The DWP stated: “The Pensions Act 2014 brought the increase in the State Pension age from 66 to 67 forward by eight years. The State Pension age for men and women will now increase to 67 between 2026 and 2028. The Government also changed the way in which the increase in State Pension age is phased so that rather than reaching State Pension age on a specific date, people born between 6 April 1960 and 5 March 1961 will reach their State Pension age at 66 years and the specified number of months. For people born after 5 April 1969 but before 6 April 1977, under the Pensions Act 2007, State Pension age was already 67.”
