State pensioners on low incomes who live alone can expect an extra cash boost of up to £47.23 per month from June, following a 4.8% increase in Pension Credit that took effect in April. The rise, aligned with the state pension triple lock, brings the standard minimum guarantee for single claimants to £238 per week, up from £227.10. Over the full tax year, this amounts to an additional £566.80.
Pension Credit is available to those of state pension age living in England, Scotland, or Wales on a low income, regardless of other income, savings, or home ownership. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) reports that the benefit is now worth an average of £4,300 per year. Claimants also gain access to other financial support, including help with housing costs, council tax reductions, free TV licences, and NHS treatment costs.
The DWP confirmed the increases, stating: “The government has already delivered above-inflation increases worth up to £395 in real terms over this Parliament. By its end, pensioners’ annual incomes are expected to rise by up to £2,100 – boosting financial security for millions.” The department also noted a £6 billion boost to spending on state pensions and pensioner benefits between 2026 and 2027.
To encourage uptake, the DWP launched a trial last year after identifying regional disparities, with the lowest uptake in the south west. Pensions Minister Torsten Bell urged eligible pensioners to apply, saying: “We’re committed to supporting harder-up pensioners however we can. Pension Credit is a simple way to give those who need it the most some extra support with bills or a free TV licence.”
Applications can be made up to four months before reaching state pension age, or any time after, with backdating of up to three months. The DWP provides an online calculator to estimate potential entitlement.
