If you’re over State Pension age and on a low income, Pension Credit gives you extra money to help with your living costs.
Pension Credit can also help with housing costs such as ground rent or service charges and will entitle you to a Winter Fuel Payment.
Visit GOV.UK – Easy read: Pension Credit.
You might get extra help if you’re a carer, severely disabled, or responsible for a child or young person.
Pension Credit is separate from your State Pension. You can get Pension Credit even if you have other income, savings or own your own home.
Act now if you're not already claiming Pension Credit
If you make a new claim for Pension Credit before 21 December, you will also continue to receive the Winter Fuel Payment this winter.
The Winter Fuel Payment is an annual tax-free payment of £200 or £300 depending on your household. In the past it has been paid to all people over Pension Credit age but this winter it will only be paid to people receiving certain means-tested benefits, including Pension Credit.
To find out how much you could get, please contact the Pension Service helpline Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm (except public holidays).
- Telephone: 0800 991234
- Textphone: 0800 169 0133
- Relay UK (if you cannot hear or speak on the phone): 18001 then 0800 991234
British Sign Language (BSL) video relay service if you’re on a computer – find out how to use the service on mobile or tablet.
You can also apply online or by post.
You will need to have ready:
- your National Insurance number
- information about your income, savings and investments
- the details for the account you want the payment to go to
If you get Pension Credit you can also get other help, such as:
- Housing Benefit if you rent the property you live in
- Winter Fuel Payment
- Support for Mortgage Interest if you own the property you live in
- a Council Tax discount
- a free TV licence if you’re aged 75 or over
- help with NHS dental treatment, glasses and transport costs for hospital appointments, if you get a certain type of Pension Credit
- help with your heating costs through the Warm Home Discount Scheme
- a discount on the Royal Mail redirection service if you’re moving house
Eligibility
You must live in England, Scotland or Wales and have reached State Pension age to qualify for Pension Credit. If you’re from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein, you and your family usually also need settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme to get Pension Credit.
If you have a partner
You must include your partner on your application. You’ll be eligible if either:
- you and your partner have both reached State Pension age
- one of you is getting Housing Benefit for people over State Pension age
Your income
When you apply for Pension Credit your income is calculated. If you have a partner, your income is calculated together.
Pension Credit tops up:
- your weekly income to £218.15 if you’re single
- your joint weekly income to £332.95 if you have a partner
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.
Your savings and investments
If you have £10,000 or less in savings and investments this will not affect your Pension Credit.
If you have 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.
Calculator and videos
You might be able to use the Pension Credit calculator to check if you’re eligible and how much you could get.
The calculator will only give you an estimate and should only be used as a guide.