Pension Credit

If you're over State Pension age and finding it tricky to make ends meet, you might be able to claim Pension Credit to top up your income. It comes in two parts: Guarantee Credit and Savings Credit.

What is Pension Credit?

Pension Credit is a means-tested benefit for people over State Pension age who have a low income. It comes in 2 parts: Guarantee Credit and Savings Credit. It's separate from your State Pension.

How much Pension Credit could I get?

Pension Credit comes in 2 parts. You might be eligible for one or both parts.

What is Guarantee Credit?

Guarantee Credit tops up your weekly income to a guaranteed minimum level. This level is currently:

• £227.10 if you're single
• £346.60 if you're a couple.

What is Savings Credit?

Savings Credit is extra money if you've got some savings or if your income is higher than the basic State Pension. It's available to people who reached State Pension age before 6 April 2016. You could get up to:

• £17.30 extra per week if you're single
• £19.36 extra per week if you're a couple.

By claiming Pension Credit, you might become eligible for other benefits too, such as help with health and housing costs. We've outlined these below.

Am I eligible to claim Pension Credit?

There are different eligibility requirements for each of the parts of Pension Credit.

Can I get Guarantee Credit?

You might be eligible for Guarantee Credit if you've reached State Pension age. This is currently 66 for both men and women.

If you've reached State Pension age, you can claim Guarantee Credit if your weekly income is less than:

• £227.10 if you’re single
• £346.60 if you’re a couple.

Even if your weekly income is higher than these thresholds, you could still claim Guarantee Credit if you meet one of the following criteria:

• you're a carer
• you have a severe disability
• you have certain housing costs, such as service charges
• you're responsible for a child or young person who usually lives with you.

Can I get Savings Credit?

If you reached State Pension age before 6 April 2016 – or if you're a couple and both of you did – you might be eligible to claim Savings Credit.

There isn’t a savings limit for Pension Credit. However, if you have over £10,000 in savings, this will affect how much you receive.

If you're a mixed-age couple (meaning only one of you is over State Pension age), you normally have to claim Universal Credit until you've both reached State Pension age. Then you might be eligible to claim Pension Credit as a couple.

How do I claim Pension Credit?

To claim Pension Credit, you can either:

• claim online on GOV.UK (if you already claim State Pension and there aren't any children or young people included in your claim)
• call the Pension Credit claim line on 0800 99 1234 and they can fill in the application for you over the phone (lines are open Monday to Friday, 8am-6pm).

It can be helpful to have the following details to hand before you get started:

• your National Insurance number
• your bank account details
• information about your income, savings and investments
• information about your pension (if you have one)
• details of any housing costs you have (such as a mortgage, interest payments or service charges)
• your partner’s details, if you have a partner.

If you need help at any stage, contact your local Age UK.

What other help can I get by claiming Pension Credit?

Claiming Pension Credit doesn't just top up your income – it could help you get other benefits, too.

Pension Credit can help with health costs

• You’ll get free NHS dental treatment, and you can get help with the cost of glasses and transport to hospital.
• If you care for someone, you might get an extra amount known as Carer Addition, which is worth up to £46.40 a week.
• If you have a disability, you may get an extra amount known as Severe Disability Addition, which is worth up to £82.90 a week.

Pension Credit can help with housing costs

• You probably won't have to pay Council Tax (unless other people live with you).
• If you rent your home, you might get your rent paid in full by Housing Benefit.
• If you own your home, you might be eligible for a help with mortgage interest, ground rent and service charges.

Pension Credit can help with other costs

• You'll be eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment. 
• If you're 75 or over, you can get a free TV licence.
• You’ll be eligible for a Cold Weather Payment during particularly cold weather.
• Only people who have reached state pension age and are entitled to a means-tested benefit will be eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment, an annual payment to help with heating costs during the colder months.

You have nothing to lose by applying, and potentially a lot to gain – and if you've previously been turned down, you can still make a new claim each year.