Pension Credit

Pension Credit is a benefit for people over State Pension age. It tops up your income if you're struggling to make ends meet. It comes in two parts: Guarantee Credit and Savings Credit.

What is Pension Credit?

Pension Credit is extra money to help you cover your costs if you're over State Pension age and living on a low income. You might be able to get it even if you have other income, savings or assets.

Pension Credit comes in two parts: Guarantee Credit and Savings Credit. It's separate from your State Pension.

How much Pension Credit could I get?

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

Guarantee Credit tops up your weekly income to a guaranteed minimum level:

• £182.60 if you're single
• £278.70 if you're a couple.

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:

• £14.48 extra per week if you're single
• £16.20 extra per week if you're a couple.

By claiming Pension Credit, you might unlock 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 two parts of Pension Credit.

Can I get Guarantee Credit?

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

To find out when you'll reach State Pension age, you can use GOV.UK's State Pension calculator.

If you've reached State Pension age, you can claim Guarantee Credit if your weekly income is less than £182.60 if you’re single, or £278.70 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 have a severe disability
• you're a carer
• you have to pay housing costs, such as a mortgage.

Can I get Savings Credit?

If you reached State Pension age before 6 April 2016 – or if you're a couple and one 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.

How do I claim Pension Credit?

To claim Pension Credit, you can either:

• claim online (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 (textphone 0800 169 0133). They'll fill in the application for you over the phone.

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.

Are there other benefits to claiming Pension Credit?

Claiming Pension Credit doesn't only give you a bit of extra cash – it could help you get other benefits, too.

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’re a carer, you might get an extra amount known as Carer Addition, which is worth up to £38.85 a week.

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 help with mortgage interest, ground rent and service charges.

Help with other costs

• 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 spells.

There's nothing to lose by applying, but potentially a lot to gain – and even if you've previously been turned down, you can make a new claim each year.