State pensioners on a low income and living alone can get a weekly payment of up to £227 from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). Pension Credit is a benefit that gives extra money to eligible pensioners to help with living costs and is paid separately to the State Pension. You can get it even if you have other income, savings or your own home, and it can be claimed either individually or as a couple. For those who live alone, the benefit tops up your weekly income to £227.10 and if you have a severe disability, you could get an extra £82.90 on top.
The weekly payment was uprated by the DWP back in April, rising by 4.1% in line with the annual increase in the Average Weekly Earnings (AWE) index for May to July 2024, meaning claimants now get a bit of extra cash compared to last year’s rates. The uprating came alongside increases to the new and basic State Pension rates, which also both increased by 4.1%.
The DWP said: “The minimum guarantee for Pension Credit – the minimum amount that someone on Pension Credit will receive – is also set to increase by 4.1% from 7 April. For single pensioners it will increase from £218.15 to £227.10. For couples it will increase from £332.95 to £346.60.”
But Pension Credit not only provides extra cash to those on low incomes, it also unlocks access to a wealth of additional financial benefits and is worth around £4,300 per year on average.
If you claim it, you can also get access to help with housing costs, Council Tax discounts, the Winter Fuel Payment, NHS treatment costs, and a free TV licence if you’re aged 75 or over.
Sarah Pennells, consumer finance specialist at Royal London, explains: “People can apply for Pension Credit any time, and it could be worth over £4,000 a year. Our research shows that many people are missing out because they haven’t checked to see if they qualify.
“Three in ten people over State Pension age who were on a low income hadn’t checked to see if they were entitled to Pension Credit, while one in ten pensioners who had been told they qualified for Pension Credit have yet to apply.
“You can backdate your claim for Pension Credit by up to three months, and the sooner you claim, the sooner you could start receiving payments. Not only that, but, if you’re entitled to Pension Credit, you’ll be able to get extra help with costs such as rent and Council Tax, which could make a big difference.”
You must live in England, Scotland or Wales and have reached State Pension age – which is currently 66 for both men and women – to qualify for Pension Credit.
When you apply for Pension Credit your income is calculated and this includes your State Pension, other pensions, earnings from employment and self-employment and most social security benefits.
The DWP explains: “If you have £10,000 or less in savings and investments this will not affect your Pension Credit. If you have more than £10,000, every £500 over £10,000 counts as £1 income a week. For example, if you have £11,000 in savings, this counts as £2 income a week.”
You can use the DWP’s Pension Credit calculator to get an estimate of how much you could get and you can start your application up to four months before you reach State Pension age.
You can apply any time after you reach State Pension age but your application can only be backdated by three months, so you’ll get up to three months of Pension Credit in your first payment if you were eligible during that time.
