Pension Credit
If you're over State Pension age and you're struggling to make ends meet, Pension Credit could help top up your income.
If you're on a low income or you're out of work, you might be able to claim Universal Credit to help you cover your living costs.
Universal Credit is a means-tested, non-taxable benefit that's paid monthly. It's designed to help you if you're on a low income or out of work.
Universal Credit had been rolled out to all areas of the UK by December 2018 and is gradually replacing the following 'legacy' benefits:
If you currently receive any of these benefits, you'll continue to get them as normal unless your circumstances change or you get a letter, known as a Migration Notice, telling you that you need to switch to Universal Credit.
Most people can no longer make a new claim for a legacy benefit, and instead need to claim Universal Credit.
The amount of Universal Credit you might get depends on a few different things, such as how much you earn or how much you have in savings.
It may also vary depending on how much you earned in the month before, and whether your circumstances have changed.
The basic standard Universal Credit allowances depend on your age and whether you're single or a couple. In 2024-25, the basic standard allowances are as follows:
On top of the standard allowance, you might be entitled to extra money if you have:
If you received more from your benefits before moving to Universal Credit, or if you were entitled to the severe disability premium in your previous benefit, you could be entitled to a transitional element.
You can claim Universal Credit if you:
A claimant commitment outlines what you'll need to do to keep receiving Universal Credit. It's based on your individual circumstances.
You can't claim Universal Credit if you’re already receiving the following 'legacy' benefits:
If you receive these benefits, you'll be told when it's time for you to start claiming Universal Credit instead.
If you're a mixed aged couple (one of you is over State Pension age and the other isn't) and you're making a new claim, you'll need to claim Universal Credit rather than Pension Credit.
If you're a mixed age couple and you already receive Pension Credit, you can keep doing so for as long as you remain entitled to it.
Do you know what benefits you're entitled to? Our online benefits calculator can help you quickly and easily find out what you could be claiming.
You can claim Universal Credit by filling out the online claim form. When you're filling out the form, it's a good idea to have the following details to hand:
Apply for Universal Credit online on GOV.UK
You'll then normally be invited to a face-to-face interview with a work coach at your local Jobcentre Plus.
Find your local Jobcentre Plus on GOV.UK
During your interview, you’ll need to agree to certain conditions (this is known as making a 'claimant commitment'). For example, you might have to agree to a job search plan to help you get back to work or increase your income.
The conditions of the claimant commitment depend on your health, your responsibilities and your circumstances.
If you don't meet the conditions, your benefit might be reduced or stopped.
If you need help filling out the form, or you have any questions, call the Universal Credit helpline on 0800 328 5644 (or textphone on 0800 328 1344).
If you don’t feel confident about claiming online, ask your local Age UK for help or call the Age UK Advice Line on 0800 678 1602.
If you're claiming a legacy benefit and have a change of circumstances, you might need to stop claiming that benefit and make a new claim for Universal Credit.
If this happens, get advice before making a new claim – as you might not need to claim Universal Credit if:
Alternatively, you might be told to claim Universal Credit under the ‘managed migration’ process. This is where the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) moves people who are currently claiming legacy benefits over to Universal Credit, which means their legacy benefit stops.
If this managed migration process reduces the amount of money you’re paid, you’ll be given an amount of ‘transitional protection’ to make up the difference.
You might receive a letter inviting you to make a new Universal Credit claim, which stops your entitlement to existing benefits. If this happens, you should get advice before claiming to make sure you don’t lose any money.
Find out how to contact Citizen's Advice for advice on making a Universal Credit claim
We offer support through our free advice line on 0800 678 1602. Lines are open 8am-7pm, 365 days a year. We also have specialist advisers at over 120 local Age UKs.
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