Unlock financial benefits: How state pension boost adds £3,900 to yearly income

Ahead of next month’s Pension Credit awareness week, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is encouraging individuals to assist family members, friends, neighbours and loved ones in checking their eligibility for an income boost averaging £3,900 annually.

This call to action, part of a DWP social media campaign, aims to increase uptake of the benefit. A weekly award of just £1 can unlock additional financial support, including Winter Fuel Payments up to £300, assistance with housing costs, Council Tax, and a free TV Licence for those over 75.

The DWP recently confirmed that new Pension Credit claims made before December 21, 2024, can be backdated by up to three months, aligning with this year’s Winter Fuel Payment qualifying week from September 16 to 22.

Approximately 880,000 pensioners are eligible for Pension Credit but aren’t claiming it, resulting in lost Winter Fuel Payments for around 10 million people over 66. This should serve as a strong incentive to check eligibility, either for oneself or someone known.

Eligibility for Pension Credit may apply if you’re a single person on the New State Pension with a total weekly income below £218.15, or part of a couple with combined weekly incomes less than £332.95.

Similarly, if you’re over 65 and reached State Pension age before April 6, 2016, you may still qualify for Pension Credit if your weekly income is less than £260.68 as a single person or £380.55 as part of a couple, reports the Daily Record.

Nearly 1.4 million elderly individuals across Great Britain, including over 125,000 residing in Scotland, are currently receiving the means-tested benefit.

Despite some older people believing that their savings or home ownership would disqualify them from the means-tested benefit, it’s still worth investigating.

Pension Credit boosts weekly income to a guaranteed minimum level of £218.15 a week for single pensioners or £332.95 for couples. This tax-free payment is available for those who:

• have reached Pension Credit qualifying age, which is State Pension age, and
• live in Great Britain

To check eligibility for Pension Credit

Elderly individuals, or their friends and family, can swiftly verify their eligibility and get an estimate of potential benefits using the online Pension Credit calculator on GOV. UK here.

Alternatively, pensioners can reach out to the Pension Credit helpline directly to make a claim on 0800 99 1234 – lines are open from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday.

Expert assistance and advice is also accessible from:

More details about claiming Pension Credit can be fond on GOV.UK here.

Additional help if you receive Pension Credit

If you qualify for Pension Credit, you can also access other forms of assistance, such as:

• Housing Benefit if you rent the property you live in
• Support for Mortgage Interest if you own the property you live in
• Council Tax discount
• Free TV licence if you are aged 75 or over
• Help with NHS dental treatment, glasses and transport costs for hospital appointments
• Help with your heating costs through the Warm Home Discount Scheme or Winter Fuel Payments
• A discount on the Royal Mail redirection service if you are moving house

Mixed age older couples and Pension Credit

In May 2019, legislation was altered so that a ‘mixed age couple’ – a pair where one partner is of State Pension age and the other is below it – are considered a ‘working age’ couple when assessing entitlement to means-tested benefits.

This implies that they are unable to claim Pension Credit or pension age Housing Benefit until both of them reach the State Pension age. Prior to this change by the DWP, a mixed-age couple could be eligible to claim the more generous State Pension age benefits when just one partner reached the State Pension age.

Here’s how to use the Pension Credit calculator

To utilise the calculator on GOV. UK, you’ll need details of:

Your earnings, benefits and pensions.

Your savings and investments.

If you have a partner, you’ll need their details as well. You will be presented with a series of multiple-choice questions:

• Your date of birth
• Your residential status
• Where in the UK you live
• Whether you are registered blind
• Which benefits you currently receive
• How much you receive each week for any benefits you get
• Whether someone is paid Carer’s Allowance to look after you
• How much you get each week from pensions – State Pension, private and work pensions
• Any employment earnings
• Any savings, investments or bonds you have

Once you’ve answered these questions, a summary screen will display your responses, allowing you to go back and modify any answers before submitting. The Pension Credit calculator will then show how much benefit you could receive each week.

All that’s left is to follow the link to the application page to find out exactly what you will get from the DWP, including access to other financial support.

There’s also an option to print off the answers you provide using the calculator tool to help you fill out the application form faster without having to look up the same details again. Try the Pension Credit Calculator for yourself or a family member to ensure you’re receiving all the financial support you’re entitled to claim.

Who can’t use the Pension Credit calculator?

You cannot use the calculator if you or your partner:

• are deferring your State Pension

• own more than one property

• are self employed

• have housing costs (such as service charges or Crown Tenant rent) which are neither mortgage repayments nor rent covered by Housing Benefit

To make a claim, 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.

This means you can get up to three months of Pension Credit in your first payment if you were eligible during that time.

You will need your National Insurance number, information about your income, savings and investments, and your bank account details, if you’re applying by phone or by post. If you’re backdating your claim, you’ll need details of your income, savings and investments on the date you want your claim to start.

You can apply online if you have already claimed your State Pension and there are no children or young people included in your claim. To check your entitlement, phone the Pension Credit helpline on 0800 99 1234 or use the GOV.UK Pension Credit calculator here to find out how much you could get.