How much is Pension Credit and can I get it?

What is Pension Credit?

Pension Credit is a means-tested benefit to help with your living costs. You receive it if you are over state pension age and are on a low income. This article highlights how much of the benefit you can get.

Pension Credit is separate from the State Pension.

Being on Pension Credit means you can receive more financial help, such as assistance with housing costs, council tax, heating bills and the Winter Fuel Payment.

How much is Pension Credit 2025/26?

If you are of state pension age, you can claim Pension Credit (Standard Minimum Guarantee) in the 2025/26 tax year, which tops up:

• your income to £227.10 a week, if you’re single. This is an increase of £8.95 a week, when compared to 2024/25.
• your joint weekly income to £346.60 a week, if you are in a couple. This is a rise of £13.65 a week when compared to 2024/25.

From April 2025, the Pension Credit Standard Minimum Guarantee increased by 4.1%, meaning an annual increase of £465 in 2025-26 in the single pensioner guarantee and £710 in the couple guarantee.

Am I eligible for Pension Credit?

Around 1.4 million pensioners receive Pension Credit.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) estimates that up to £2.1bn in Pension Credit is left unclaimed every year.

You must live in England, Scotland or Wales to receive this benefit. You can find out about pension credit in Northern Ireland here.  

When you apply, your income is calculated.

• If you have a partner, your income is calculated together.
• Income includes state pension, other pensions, earnings from employment and self-employment, most social security benefits.
• If your income is higher, you might still be eligible for Pension Credit if you have a disability, you care for someone, you have savings or you have housing costs.  
• Even if you have own your own home, you could still be eligible for Pension Credit. 

Individuals who are not sure if you are eligible for extra amounts can contact the Pension Service helpline on 0800 731 0469.

What is Guarantee Credit?

You may get extra money, if you have other responsibilities and costs. The top up and extra amounts are known as ‘Guarantee Credit’.

If you have a severe disability

Individuals with a severe disability, could get an extra £82.90 a week, if you receive:

• Attendance Allowance.
• Disability Living Allowance (the middle or highest rate from the care element of allowance).
• Personal Independence Payment (the daily living element).
• Armed Forces Independence Payment.
• Adult Disability Payment (the daily living element).

If you care for another adult

If caring for another adult, you could receive an extra £46.40 a week, if you receive:

• Carer’s Allowance.
• Carer Support Payment.
• you’ve claimed Carer’s Allowance but are not being paid because you already receive another benefit paying a higher amount.

If you are responsible for a child or a young person

Individuals who are responsible for a child or young person aged under 20 that lives with you, could receive an extra £67.42 a week for each child/young person.

This is increased to £78.10 a week for the first child (if they were born before 6 April 2017).

If a child/ young person you are responsible for is disabled, you could receive an extra amount of either:

• £36.54 a week if they get Disability Living Allowance, Personal Independence Payment or Adult Disability Payment.

Or

• £114.12 a week. This applies if they are blind or get Disability Living Allowance or the enhanced daily living component of Personal Independence Payment or Adult Disability Payment.

If you have housing costs, you could receive an extra amount to cover these costs, such as

• ground rent if your property is a leasehold.
• service charges.

How much is Savings Credit?

When you have savings or another pension, you could get the ‘Savings Credit’ element of Pension Credit. This applies if you reached State Pension age before 6 April 2016 and you saved some money for retirement, such as a workplace pension.

You can receive:

• Up to £17.30 a week if you’re single.
• Up to £19.36 a week, if you have a partner.

If I get Pension Credit do I qualify for Winter Fuel Payment?

When you get this benefit, you could also get the Winter Fuel Payment.

In September 2024, the government announced it will restrict Winter Fuel Payments to only those pensioners who are receiving Pension Credit.

If you are a pensioner, check if you are eligible for Pension Credit to secure the Winter Fuel Payment (worth up to £300 per household).  

To be eligible you need to be living in England or Wales in the qualifying week which is the week beginning from the third Monday in September. This is 15-21 September 2025. 

What other financial help can I get if I am on Pension Credit?

If you are claiming Pension Credit, you could also claim:  

• Housing Benefit, if you rent the property you live in.
• Support for Mortgage Interest, if you own the property you live in.
• A Council Tax discount.
• A free TV licence, if you are aged 75 or over.
• Help with NHS dental treatment, glasses and transport costs for hospital appointments.
• Help with heating costs through the Warm Home Discount Scheme.

How much savings is too much for Pension Credit?   

If you have £10,000 or less in savings and investments, this will not affect your Pension Credit.

With more than £10,000, every £500 over £10,000 counts as £1 income a week. For example, if you have £11,000 in savings, this counts as £2 income a week.

How can I find out how much Pension Credit I can get?  

To find out how much you could get, use the Department for Work and Pensions’ Pension Credit calculator.

How can I apply?

You can apply for Pension Credit up to 4 months before you reach State Pension age.

You can make applications via: 

•Website: gov.uk.

•Telephone: 0800 99 1234.

• Post. To apply by post print out and fill in the Pension Credit claim form. You can also call the claim line 0800 99 1234 to request an application form. Post the completed application form to the Pension Service’s postal address which is: Freepost DWP Pensions Service 3. You do not need a postcode or a stamp.