The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is sending 660,000 Pension Credit advice leaflets to households in seven areas across the UK, including Glasgow, as part of a campaign to help older people access financial support worth more than £4,500 a year on average.
The leaflets aim to tackle common misconceptions that stop people from claiming the means-tested benefit. They will explain how to check eligibility, make a claim, and help an older family member apply for Pension Credit.
Who is eligible for Pension Credit?
Around 1.4 million pensioner households already receive the benefit, but the DWP said many more people could be entitled without realising it. The campaign follows a 2025 awareness drive that led to an additional 33,500 applications.
Pension Credit provides extra money to people of State Pension age on a low income and can also open the door to additional help with household bills and other everyday costs. The DWP has confirmed that owning a home, having savings, or receiving a private pension does not automatically prevent someone from qualifying.
People with savings may still be eligible because the first £10,000 is ignored when entitlement is calculated. For every £500 above that amount, the DWP assumes an additional £1 a week in income. Receiving a State Pension does not automatically rule someone out either, as Pension Credit can be paid alongside it. However, the benefit is not awarded automatically, so eligible pensioners must make a claim.
Campaign targets seven areas
Minister for Pensions Torsten Bell said: "Far too many pensioners are missing out on support they’re entitled to. Pension Credit is worth more than £4,500 a year on average and can make a real difference to people’s finances, while also opening the door to help with bills and other everyday costs."
He added: "If you think you might be eligible, it’s worth checking. We want to make sure pensioners get the support they’re entitled to and don’t miss out on money that could help them in retirement."
The campaign will see leaflets distributed in Glasgow, Powys, Stockton-on-Tees, inland Cornwall, Birmingham, East Suffolk, and Manchester. It also includes advertising across television, radio, print, and social media, including a partnership with ITV's The Chase.
Charity highlights unclaimed support
Independent Age has welcomed the campaign after its analysis found that more than one million eligible older people on low incomes missed out on Pension Credit in 2023/24. The charity estimated the combined value of unclaimed support was £2.5 billion.
Morgan Vine, Director of Policy and Influencing at Independent Age, said: "Our analysis found that in 2023/4 more than a million older people on low incomes who are eligible for Pension Credit did not receive it, missing out on a combined £2.5 billion of life-changing support."
She added: "Every day we hear heartbreaking stories of older people enduring financial hardship because they aren’t aware of Pension Credit, or that they qualify for the support."
The DWP is encouraging pensioners and their families to check eligibility rather than assume they will not qualify because of their financial circumstances.
How to check and claim
There are two types of Pension Credit: Guarantee Credit and Savings Credit. To qualify for Guarantee Credit, you must be State Pension age, with weekly income below the minimum amount the UK Government says you need to live on. This is £238.00 for a single person and £363.25 for a couple, though it could be higher if you're disabled, a carer, or have certain housing costs.
Guarantee Credit tops up weekly income to £238.00 for a single person or £363.25 for a couple. Savings Credit can give up to £17.96 a week for a single person or £20.10 a week for a couple. The exact amount depends on income and savings, including assumed income from savings and capital over £10,000.
People can check eligibility using the online Pension Credit calculator on GOV.UK or by calling the Pension Credit helpline on 0800 99 1234, open 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday. Expert help is also available from Independent Age, Income Max, Citizens Advice, and Age UK.
If you qualify for Pension Credit, you can also get other help such as Housing Benefit, Support for Mortgage Interest, Council Tax discount, a free TV licence if you are aged 75 or over, help with NHS dental treatment and glasses, the Warm Home Discount Scheme, and a discount on the Royal Mail redirection service.
The DWP advises that you can start your application up to four months before reaching State Pension age, and claims can be backdated for three months. You will need your National Insurance number, information about income, savings, and investments, and bank account details if applying by phone or post.
