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Pension Credit \u2013 Could you or someone you know be eligible?<\/p>\nLow-income pensioners on disability benefits, or those providing unpaid care, may be entitled to extra financial support.<\/p>\n
13:46, 30 Jun 2025Updated 05:31, 01 Jul 2025<\/p>\n
Pension Credit \u2013 Could you or someone you know be eligible?<\/p>\n
Online guidance from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) on GOV.UK<\/a> explains that if someone of State Pension age on a low income receives Attendance Allowance or the middle or highest rate care component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA), Personal Independence Payment (PIP), or Adult Disability Payment (ADP), they may be entitled to extra Pension Credit.<\/p>\n This will also include older people in Scotland claiming the new Pension Age Disability Payment <\/a>(PADP). The disability element of Pension Credit is worth \u00a382.90 per week, which amounts to \u00a3331.60 every four-week pay period.<\/p>\n Similarly, a couple claiming Pension Credit<\/a> where one person is claiming a disability benefit, will also receive an extra \u00a382.90 each week and if someone is paid Carer\u2019s Allowance they may be entitled to extra weekly Pension Credit of \u00a346.40.<\/p>\n READ MORE: Attendance Allowance rules older people should know or monthly DWP payments could stop<\/a>READ MORE: Pensioners claiming new health benefit could get payment decision in six days<\/a><\/p>\n Older people may also get this extra Pension Credit if they are entitled to Carer\u2019s Allowance but are not being paid it, or being paid it at a lower amount than normal, because they are being paid a higher amount by another, income-related benefit such as the State Pension<\/a> – more commonly referred to as an ‘underlying entitlement’.<\/p>\n Nearly 1.4 million older people across Great Britain, including more than 125,000 living in Scotland, are currently receiving Pension Credit, which the DWP recently confirmed could provide an average of \u00a34,300 in support during the year ahead.<\/p>\n However, the latest figures from the DWP suggest there are still more than 700,000 eligible pensioners not claiming the benefit they are entitled to.<\/p>\n Some older people think because they have savings or own their home they would not be eligible for the means-tested benefit, which can also provide access to help with housing costs, heating bills and Council Tax.<\/p>\n Pension Credit tops up weekly income to a guaranteed minimum level of \u00a3227.10 a week for single pensioners or \u00a3346.60 for couples. It is a tax-free payment for those who:<\/p>\n Quickest way to check eligibility for Pension Credit<\/p>\n Older people, or friends and family, can quickly check their eligibility and get an estimate of what they may receive by using the online Pension Credit calculator on GOV.UK here.<\/a><\/p>\n Alternatively, pensioners can contact the Pension Credit helpline directly to make a claim on 0800 99 1234 – lines are currently open 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday.<\/p>\n Expert help and advice is also available from:<\/strong><\/p>\n Below is an overview of the benefit including who should check eligibility, how to go about it and how much you could get.<\/p>\n Pension Credit gives people extra money to help with their living costs if they are over State Pension age and on a low income. It can also provide access to a range of other benefits.<\/p>\n The benefit tops up income to a minimum of \u00a3227.10 per week for single pensioners and \u00a3346.60 for couples – more if a person has a disability or caring responsibilities.<\/a><\/p>\n Other help if you get Pension Credit<\/p>\n If you qualify for Pension Credit you can also get other help, such as:<\/p>\n Mixed aged older couples and Pension Credit<\/p>\n In May 2019, the law changed so a \u2018mixed age couple\u2019 – a couple where one partner is of State Pension age and the other is under it – are considered to be a \u2018working age\u2019 couple when checking entitlement to means-tested benefits.<\/p>\n This means they cannot claim Pension Credit or pension age Housing Benefit until they are both State Pension age. Before this DWP change, a mixed age couple could be eligible to claim the more generous State Pension age benefits when just one of them reached State Pension age.<\/p>\n How to use the Pension Credit calculator<\/p>\n To use the calculator on GOV.UK<\/a>, you will need details of:<\/p>\n You\u2019ll need the same details for your partner if you have one. You will be presented by a series of questions with multiple choice answer options.<\/p>\n This includes:<\/strong><\/p>\n Once you have answered these questions, a summary screen shows your responses, allowing you to go back and change any answers before submitting. The Pension Credit calculator then displays how much benefit you could receive each week.<\/p>\n All you have to do then is follow the link to the application page to find out exactly what you will get from the DWP, including access to other financial support.<\/p>\n There\u2019s also an option to print off the answers you give using the calculator tool to help you complete the application form quicker without having to look out the same details again. Try the Pension Credit Calculator<\/a> for yourself or your family member to make sure you\u2019re receiving all the financial support you are entitled to claim.<\/p>\n Who cannot use the Pension Credit calculator?<\/p>\n You cannot use the calculator if you or your partner:<\/p>\n How to make a claim<\/p>\n You can start your application up to four months before you reach State Pension age. You can claim any time after you reach State Pension age but your claim can only be backdated for three months.<\/p>\n This means you can get up to three months of Pension Credit in your first payment if you were eligible during that time.<\/p>\n You will need:<\/strong><\/p>\n If you\u2019re backdating your claim, you\u2019ll need details of your income, savings and investments on the date you want your claim to start.<\/p>\n Apply online<\/p>\n You can use the online service if:<\/p>\n To check your entitlement, phone the Pension Credit helpline on 0800 99 1234 or use the GOV.UK Pension Credit calculator here<\/a> to find out how much you could get.<\/p>\n Join the conversation on our Money Saving Scotland Facebook group<\/a> for money-saving tips, the latest State Pension and benefits news, energy bill advice and cost of living updates.<\/p>\n Sign up to our Record Money newsletter and get the top stories sent to your inbox daily from Monday to Friday with a special cost of living edition every Thursday – sign up here<\/a>.<\/p>\n You can also follow us on X<\/strong> (formerly Twitter) @Recordmoney_<\/a> for regular updates throughout the day or get money news alerts on your phone by joining our Daily Record Money WhatsApp community<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n
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Low-income pensioners on disability benefits, or those providing unpaid care, may be entitled to extra financial support.(Image: Getty Images )Pension Credit in a nutshell<\/p>\n\n
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