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 Rowland · Updated 21 July 2026 · Sourced to GOV.UK & Age UK
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 also protects your Winter Fuel Payment: people receiving Pension Credit are exempt from the income clawback on that payment, whatever their income. So the real value of a Pension Credit claim is often far more than the top-up itself.
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.
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 it protects your Winter Fuel Payment from the income clawback.
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. PreparedBritain is independent and not affiliated with HM Government.
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