Pension Credit 2026/27: Who Qualifies and How to Claim

Pension Credit is one of the most valuable -- and most unclaimed -- benefits in the UK. The government estimates that around 800,000 households who are entitled to Pension Credit are not receiving it. For many, that represents thousands of pounds left unclaimed every year. If you or someone you know is over State Pension age and living on a modest income, this guide explains who qualifies and how to claim.

What Is Pension Credit?

Pension Credit is a means-tested benefit administered by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). It comes in two parts: Guarantee Credit and Savings Credit.

Guarantee Credit tops up your weekly income to a minimum level. For 2026/27, the standard minimum guarantee is GBP 218.15 per week for a single person and GBP 332.95 per week for a couple. If your income falls below these figures, Guarantee Credit makes up the difference.

Savings Credit is only available to people who reached State Pension age before 6 April 2016. It rewards people who made some provision for retirement beyond the basic state pension. The maximum Savings Credit is GBP 17.01 per week for a single person and GBP 19.04 per week for a couple (2026/27 figures).

Who Can Claim?

You must have reached State Pension age (currently 66) to claim Pension Credit. Both you and your partner must be over State Pension age if you are claiming as a couple -- unless your partner is receiving Housing Benefit for people over State Pension age, in which case different transitional rules may apply.

There is no savings or capital limit that automatically disqualifies you from Guarantee Credit, unlike Universal Credit. However, the DWP assumes you receive a notional income of GBP 1 per week for every GBP 500 (or part thereof) of savings above GBP 10,000. So if you have GBP 15,000 in savings, that is assumed to generate GBP 10 per week of income, which is counted against your entitlement.

What Income Counts?

When assessing your Pension Credit, DWP counts:

• State Pension (the full new State Pension is GBP 241.30 per week -- GBP 12,548 per year for 2026/27)
• Occupational and private pensions
• Employment income (if you are still working)
• Benefits such as Carer's Allowance
• Most investment income and rental income

Some income is ignored, including Attendance Allowance, Disability Living Allowance, Personal Independence Payment and Housing Benefit.

Additional Elements Within Pension Credit

On top of the standard Guarantee Credit, you may be entitled to additional amounts:

• Severe Disability Addition: GBP 81.50 per week if you receive certain disability benefits and nobody claims Carer's Allowance for looking after you.
• Carer Addition: GBP 45.60 per week if you receive Carer's Allowance or meet the caring conditions.
• Housing costs: Pension Credit does not pay rent directly, but claiming it automatically qualifies you for Housing Benefit (if you rent) and Council Tax Reduction in most local authorities.

Why Pension Credit Is So Important to Claim

Claiming Pension Credit unlocks a cascade of other entitlements. These include:

• Free TV licence if you are 75 or over
• Cold Weather Payment (GBP 25 per week during very cold periods)
• Warm Home Discount (GBP 150 off electricity bill)
• Free NHS dental treatment, glasses and sight tests
• Help with NHS costs under the Low Income Scheme
• Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction

Missing Pension Credit often means missing all of these passported benefits too.

How to Claim

You can claim Pension Credit by phone on 0800 99 1234 (free, Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm). You can also claim online via the gov.uk website or by post. You will need your National Insurance number, information about your income and savings, and your bank account details.

Importantly, you can backdate a Pension Credit claim by up to 3 months. So even if you have been eligible for a while without knowing, you can recover some of what you missed.

The claim process typically takes a few weeks. Once approved, Pension Credit is usually paid directly into your bank account every 4 weeks. It is reviewed periodically and you must tell DWP if your circumstances change.

A Note on Mixed-Age Couples

If one partner is under 66 and the other is over State Pension age, the couple must claim Universal Credit rather than Pension Credit. This is a significant change from older rules and can result in a lower entitlement. If both partners reach State Pension age, they should switch to Pension Credit promptly, as UC stops being paid and Pension Credit will need to be claimed separately.

Check Your State Pension Position

Understanding your State Pension income is the starting point for working out whether you might qualify for Pension Credit. Use the CalcHub pension income calculator to see where you stand:

Pension Calculator -- CalcHub