A particular DWP scheme could provide £105.70 a week in the 2025 to 2026 tax year but only to those who qualify
Some pensioners may be eligible for extra DWP payments(Image: Westend61)
The UK Government provides State Pension payments to millions of older people across the country. But many may not know that people over a certain age can be entitled to some extra cash.
The money can be available if pensioners meet the right criteria. It would come through the Over 80 pension which, as the scheme’s name suggests, is for people aged 80 or over.
To be eligible, you must get either a basic State Pension of less than £105.70 a week, or no basic State Pension at all. It can give you £105.70 a week in the 2025 to 2026 tax year. This comes as ChronicleLive listed the Winter Fuel Payment amounts pensioners are to get in 2025.
With regards to the Over 80 pension, what you get depends on how much basic State Pension you get, if any. If you do not get the basic State Pension or you get less than £105.70 a week, you could get the difference paid up to this amount.
The DWP gives an example of how this would work. It explains: “You’re 80 years old and you get £43 a week basic State Pension, your basic State Pension may be topped up by £62.70 to £105.70 a week.”
Who is eligible
The Department for Work and Pensions clarifies that you cannot get the Over 80 pension if you reached State Pension age on or after 6 April 2016. You can claim the over 80 pension if all of the following apply:
- you’re 80 or over
- you do not get basic State Pension or your basic State Pension is less than £105.70 a week in 2025 to 2026
- you were resident in the UK for at least 10 years out of 20 (this does not have to be 10 years in a row) – this 20 year period must include the day before you turned 80 or any day after
- you were ‘ordinarily resident’ in the UK, the Isle of Man or Gibraltar on your 80th birthday or the date you made the claim for this pension, if later
Your eligibility for the Over 80 pension is not based on National Insurance contributions. If you want to claim it, you can get a claim form from either your local Jobcentre Plus or the Pension Service.
You can also call the Pension Service to get a claim form sent to you. The number is 0800 731 7898. The earliest you can claim is three months before your 80th birthday. More information is available here.
Will the Over 80 pension have an effect on other benefits?
The Over 80 pension counts as taxable income, so it may affect other benefits you’re getting. You must include the Over 80 pension as income if you’re claiming other income related benefits.
You must tell the Pension Service if your circumstances change. For example, if you change address or bank details.
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