Answers · UK 2025/26
What extra amounts can carers receive through Pension Credit?
Carers who receive Carer's Allowance (or have underlying entitlement to it) get a Carer Addition of £45.60 per week on top of standard Pension Credit in 2026/27. This also triggers Council Tax Reduction, free NHS dental, eye tests, and Cold Weather Payments. Apply through the Pension Credit claim process.
Full answer
If you receive Carer's Allowance (CA) or have underlying entitlement to it (i.e. your CA is not paid because it overlaps with your State Pension), your Pension Credit award includes an additional Carer Addition of £45.60 per week (2026/27). This is added on top of the standard Guarantee Credit minimum (£218.15/week single, £332.95/week couple) and can substantially increase the total Pension Credit award. The Carer Addition is a significant uplift -- £45.60 per week equates to over £2,371 per year. Combined with the passported benefits that Pension Credit triggers, the total financial benefit of claiming can be much larger than the headline Pension Credit rate suggests. Passported benefits include: up to 100% Council Tax Reduction (reducing or eliminating a council tax bill); Housing Benefit (if you are renting); free NHS dental treatment, eye tests and a voucher towards glasses; free hospital travel costs for NHS appointments; Cold Weather Payments (£25 for each 7-day period of very cold weather); and -- if aged 75 or over -- a free TV licence. If both you and your partner are carers, it is possible for both partners to receive the Carer Addition, increasing the couple's Pension Credit further. You do not need to be receiving the cash payment of Carer's Allowance -- the underlying entitlement (where CA has been displaced by the State Pension under the overlapping benefit rule) is sufficient to trigger the Carer Addition. When you apply for Pension Credit, the Pension Service will ask about caring responsibilities and will include the Carer Addition automatically if you are eligible. If your caring circumstances change (you take on or cease caring responsibilities), notify the Pension Service promptly as this affects your entitlement. Applications can be made up to 3 months before you reach State Pension Age and backdated up to 3 months in some circumstances.
Try the calculator
Related guides
More answers
This answer is informational only and does not constitute financial, tax or legal advice. Figures are for the 2025/26 UK tax year. See our methodology and sources.