Pension Credit: What you need to know
Up to 880,000 households across the UK may be missing out on support worth on average over 拢3,900 a year. Read more about claiming for yourself or a loved one.
Pension Credit gives you extra money to help with your living costs if you鈥檙e over State Pension age and on a low income.听听听
The average Pension Credit award is worth over 拢3,900 per year and it opens doors to other support, including the Winter Fuel Payment, help with housing costs, council tax and heating bills.听听听
There are up to an estimated 880,000 households across the UK eligible for Pension Credit who are yet to claim, and we are urging people to check whether they or their loved ones are eligible for this support.听听
Who can claim Pension Credit?听听
You can claim Pension Credit if you鈥檙e of State Pension age and on a low income. You must live in England, Scotland or Wales to qualify.听听
Pension Credit is separate from your State Pension, and savings, a private pension or owning a home are not necessarily barriers to receiving it.听
When you apply for Pension Credit your income is calculated. If you have a partner, your income is calculated together.听听听
If your income is higher, you may still be eligible for Pension Credit if you have a disability, care for someone, or have housing costs.听听听
How much is it?听听
Pension Credit tops up:听听听
路听听听听听听听听 Your weekly income up to 拢218.15 if you鈥檙e single.听听
路听听听听听听听听 Your joint weekly income up to 拢332.95 if you have a partner.听听
Find out whether you鈥檙e eligible and how much you could get here.听听听
How to claim听听听
You can start your application up to four months before you reach State Pension age or听 any time after you reach State Pension age, but your application can only be backdated by three months.听听听
This means you can get up to three months of Pension Credit in your first payment if you were eligible during that time.听听听
You can claim Pension Credit by applying online . You can also claim over the phone or via post. A friend or family member can call for you if you cannot use the phone.听听
Apply by phone听听
A friend or family member can call for you if you cannot use the phone.听听
Pension Credit claim line 听
Telephone: 0800 99 1234 听
Textphone: 0800 169 0133
(if you cannot hear or speak on the phone): 18001 then 0800 99 1234
British Sign Language (BSL)
Find out how to 听
Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm 听
Apply by post听听
To apply by post, print out and fill in the Pension Credit claim form or call the claim line to request a form.听听
Send the claim form to the Pension Service, or ask someone to do it for you.听听
Freepost DWP Pensions Service 3听听
Do not write anything except the freepost address on the envelope. You do not need a postcode or a stamp.听听
Contact a voluntary organisation like or if you need help with the form.
This drive comes as the UK government has had to make some difficult decisions to fix the foundations of the economy due to the dire state of the public finances, with the Winter Fuel Payment 鈥� worth up to 拢300 - set to be means-tested and delivered to those on Pension Credit to make sure it鈥檚 targeted towards those in most need.听听
Our Pension Credit awareness drive will help identify households not claiming the benefit, and encourage pensioners to apply by 21 December 2024, the last date for making a backdated claim for Pension Credit, in order to receive the Winter Fuel Payment.听听听听
This work comes alongside wider plans to ensure economic stability for pensioners by protecting the Triple Lock, improving energy security and keeping energy bills low through the Warm Homes Plan.