Pension Credit

Pension Credit is a benefit for people over State Pension age. It tops up your income if you're struggling to make ends meet.

How much could I get?

Pension Credit comes in two parts:

Guarantee Credit tops up your weekly income to a guaranteed minimum level. For the financial year April 2024 to March 2025 this is:

• £218.15 if you’re single.
• £332.95 if you’re a couple.

Savings Credit is extra money if you've got some savings or your income is higher than the basic State Pension. It's only available to people who reached State Pension age before 6 April 2016. You could get up to:

• £17.01 extra per week if you’re single.
• £19.04 if you’re a couple.

Could Pension Credit help me get other benefits?

If you’re eligible, Pension Credit will not only give you a bit of extra cash, it could also help you get some other entitlements too:

1. It’s unlikely you’ll have to pay Council Tax (unless other people live with you).
2. You’ll get free NHS dental treatment, and you can claim help towards the cost of glasses and travel to hospital.
3. You’ll get a Cold Weather Payment of £25 when the temperature is 0°C or below for 7 days in a row.
4. If you rent your home, you may get your rent paid in full by Housing Benefit.
5. If you own your home, you may be eligible for help with mortgage interest, ground rent and service charges.
6. If you’re a carer, you may get an extra amount known as Carer Premium, or Carer Addition if it’s paid with Pension Credit. This is worth up to £45.60 a week.
7. You may get an additional amount of £81.50 a week for severe disability.
8. Since 1 August 2020, if you're 75 and over you'll need to be claiming Pension Credit to get a free TV licence. 

You have nothing to lose by applying, but potentially a lot to gain, and even if you've previously been turned down, it's always worth making a new claim every year. Benefits rates change every year, as can your finances.

Am I eligible to claim Pension Credit?

Even if you own your home, you may still be eligible for Pension Credit. Nearly 9 out of 10 claims are successful and 2.5 million households across the UK receive Pension Credit.

Can I get Guarantee Credit?

You may be eligible for Guarantee Credit if you've reached State Pension age (as of April 2021, this is 66 for both men and women). 

If you are unsure when you will be able to recieve your State Pension, you can check by using GOV.UK's State Pension calculator.

If you’re an eligible age, you can claim Guarantee Credit if your weekly income is less than £218.15 if you’re single, or £332.95 if you’re a couple.

If you’re an eligible age, but your weekly income is higher than these thresholds, you may still claim Guarantee Credit if you meet one of the following criteria:

• you have a severe disability
• you are a carer
• you have to pay housing costs like a mortgage.

Am I entitled to Savings Credit?

Only people who’ve reached State Pension age before 6 April 2016 may be eligible to claim the Savings Credit part of Pension Credit.

If you’re a couple and one of you reached State Pension age before 6 April 2016, you may be able to claim.

There isn’t a savings limit for Pension Credit, but if you have over £10,000 this will affect how much you receive.