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Pension Credit: the benefit a third of people miss

Pension Credit tops up a low income in retirement — and unlocks the Warm Home Discount, Cold Weather Payments, a free TV licence and more. Who may be eligible, and how to check in 10 minutes.

By Tom Calder · Updated 10 September 2026 · Sourced to GOV.UK & Age UK

Pension Credit: the benefit a third of people miss

What Pension Credit is

Pension Credit is extra money for people over State Pension age on a low income. It tops your weekly income up to a guaranteed minimum — for 2026/27, up to £238.00 a week if you're single, or £363.25 for a couple. You may get more if you're a carer, have a disability, or have certain housing costs.

You may be eligible even if you have some savings or own your home — it's your income that matters most, and the rules are more generous than many people assume. It's worth checking rather than ruling yourself out.

The benefit a third of eligible people miss

Pension Credit is one of the most under-claimed benefits in the country. Official figures suggest only around 62% of those entitled actually claim it — meaning roughly a third of eligible pensioners miss out, and up to around 910,000 households aren't getting money they're owed.

Part of the reason is that people assume they earn too much, or that a small award isn't worth the effort. But even a small Pension Credit award is worth claiming — because of what it unlocks.

It unlocks far more than the money itself

Pension Credit is a 'gateway' benefit: getting it — even a little — can open the door to a range of other help. That includes Council Tax Reduction, the Warm Home Discount, Cold Weather Payments (or the Winter Heating Payment in Scotland), a free TV licence if you're 75 or over, Housing Benefit if you rent, and help with NHS dental treatment and glasses.

It can also protect your Winter Fuel Payment. Whatever your income, HMRC won't take the payment back if you're entitled to Pension Credit, Income Support, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, income-related Employment and Support Allowance or Universal Credit on any day in the qualifying week, 21–27 September 2026 (Finance Act 2026, Schedule 10). So the real value of a Pension Credit claim is often far more than the top-up itself.

The £150 Warm Home Discount →Winter Fuel Payment & the £35k clawback →

How to check and claim

The quickest way to find out is the free, anonymous GOV.UK Pension Credit calculator — it gives you an estimate, it isn't a claim, and using it doesn't affect anything. If it looks like you might qualify, you can claim by phone, online or by post, and Age UK or Citizens Advice will help you do it for free.

Ten minutes with the calculator is worth it even if you're fairly sure you earn too much — the thresholds surprise people, and a successful claim can be worth hundreds of pounds a year in knock-on help.

See every bill-support scheme you can claim →

The honest bit

You may be eligible for Pension Credit even with modest savings or your own home, and even a small award is worth claiming because it unlocks the Warm Home Discount, Cold Weather Payments, a free TV licence and more. Use the free GOV.UK calculator to check — it's anonymous and it isn't a claim. This is general information, not a benefits assessment; check your own circumstances on GOV.UK or with Age UK.

Common questions

What is Pension Credit?

Extra money for people over State Pension age on a low income. It tops your weekly income up to a guaranteed minimum — £238.00 for a single person or £363.25 for a couple in 2026/27 — and can be more if you're a carer or have a disability or certain housing costs.

Am I eligible for Pension Credit?

You may be eligible if you're over State Pension age and on a low income. You can sometimes qualify even with savings or if you own your home. The only way to know is to check your own circumstances — use the free GOV.UK Pension Credit calculator, which is anonymous and isn't a claim.

Does claiming Pension Credit affect my other benefits?

It generally helps rather than harms: Pension Credit is a gateway benefit. Getting it can unlock Council Tax Reduction, the Warm Home Discount, Cold Weather Payments, a free TV licence at 75+, Housing Benefit and help with NHS costs. And if you're entitled to Pension Credit (or Income Support, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, income-related ESA or Universal Credit) on any day in the qualifying week, 21–27 September 2026, HMRC won't take back your Winter Fuel Payment, whatever your income.

Can I get Pension Credit if I have savings or own my home?

Possibly, yes. Owning your home doesn't rule you out, and savings are taken into account rather than being an automatic barrier. Because the rules are more generous than people expect, it's worth checking with the GOV.UK calculator rather than assuming you don't qualify.

How do I claim Pension Credit?

Start with the free GOV.UK Pension Credit calculator for an estimate. If it looks like you qualify, you can claim by phone, online or by post, and Age UK or Citizens Advice will help you apply for free.

Sources: GOV.UK — Pension Credit · GOV.UK — Pension Credit calculator · GOV.UK — Pension Credit: What you'll get · Age UK — Pension Credit · legislation.gov.uk — Finance Act 2026, Schedule 10. PreparedBritain is independent and not affiliated with HM Government.

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