Money you might be missingBenefits & entitlements
Up to 900,000 pensioners are missing out on Pension Credit. How to check before winter
New government figures out on 22 October say up to 900,000 families entitled to Pension Credit did not claim it, leaving about £2,500 a year each on the table. A claim can be backdated three months and opens the door to other winter help.
Published 26 October 2026Last checked 26 October 2026England, Scotland, WalesFrom Department for Work and Pensions
Illustration generated with AI
What's happening
Pension Credit tops up the weekly income of people over State Pension age to at least £238.00 for a single person or £363.25 for a couple in 2026 to 2027. The government's latest estimate, published on 22 October 2026, says up to 900,000 entitled families did not claim it in 2024 to 2025, missing out on about £2,500 a year on average. You can claim by phone or online, a claim can be backdated up to three months, and getting it opens up other help such as Cold Weather Payments and the Warm Home Discount.
The question: Could I or someone I know get Pension Credit, what is it worth, and what does it unlock this winter?
This applies to you if…
- You have reached State Pension age
- Your weekly income is below £238.00 if you are single or £363.25 if you are a couple, or you have extra costs such as caring, a severe disability or housing costs that raise the amount you are allowed
- You live in England, Scotland or Wales (Northern Ireland has its own Pension Credit)
- If you have a partner, you both normally need to have reached State Pension age (unless one of you gets Housing Benefit for people over State Pension age)
Not for you if…
- Most couples where one partner is under State Pension age, who may be able to get Universal Credit instead
- People whose income is well above the guaranteed amount and who have no extra amounts for disability, caring or housing costs
- People who are not living in Great Britain
What it's worth
Pension Credit tops up income to the standard minimum guarantee of £238.00 a week (single) or £363.25 a week (couple) for 2026 to 2027, with extra amounts for severe disability (£86.05 a week) and caring (£48.15 a week). The DWP says the average award is over £4,500 a year.
Tax year 2026 to 2027
Illustrative calc: a single pensioner with £200 a week
- The guaranteed amount for a single person is £238.00 a week.
- Her income from State Pension and a small private pension is £200 a week.
- Pension Credit tops this up by £238.00 minus £200, which is £38 a week.
- £38 a week over 52 weeks is £1,976 a year.
- If she asks for it to be backdated the full three months, that is about 13 weeks, or £494.
About £1,976 a year, plus up to about £494 backdated
Illustrative calc only. It ignores housing costs, savings over £10,000 and any extra amounts, which can change the result.
How to do it
- 1
The government's Pension Credit calculator asks about income, savings and housing costs and gives an estimate.
Takes about About 10 minutes
- 2
Your National Insurance number, information about income, savings and investments, and your bank details. If you have a partner, their details too.
- 3
Phone the Pension Credit claim line on 0800 99 1234 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm). You can claim online if you have already applied for your State Pension, or ask for a paper form.
Takes about About 30 minutes
- 4
Ask for the claim to be backdated
Pension Credit can be backdated up to three months if you were eligible during that time.
- 5
Look out for the other help it unlocks
Once you get Pension Credit, check whether you can get Council Tax Reduction, Housing Benefit if you rent, and a free TV licence if you are 75 or over.
Deadline
No closing date. Backdating is limited to three months, so a later claim can mean losing money you were owed.
You can apply up to four months before you reach State Pension age.
The catches
Backdating has a three-month limit
If you were eligible for longer than that, the earlier months are lost.
Savings over £10,000 count
The first £10,000 of savings is ignored. Savings above that are treated as giving you some income, which can lower the award.
Mixed-age couples
If one partner is under State Pension age, the couple usually cannot get Pension Credit, though they may be able to get Universal Credit. Couples already getting Pension Credit on 14 May 2019 are protected.
It is not paid automatically
The DWP stresses that you have to claim it. Getting the State Pension does not mean you get Pension Credit too.
Reviews of existing claims
The government has announced checks on Pension Credit claims at risk of being wrong between April 2026 and April 2029. Reporting changes in income or savings promptly helps avoid overpayments.
Illustrative example
A widower who assumed he would not qualify
Arthur is 79, lives alone in the house he owns, and has £7,000 in savings. His State Pension and a small works pension come to £215 a week.
- He thinks owning his home rules him out. It does not, because the home you live in is not counted.
- His savings are under £10,000, so they are ignored.
- Pension Credit tops his income up to £238.00, an extra £23 a week, about £1,196 a year.
- Because he now gets Pension Credit and is over 75, he can also get a free TV licence. He can also ask his council about Council Tax Reduction.
About £1,196 a year in Pension Credit, plus a free TV licence and possible help with council tax.
Illustrative example. Names and details are made up. Real awards depend on full circumstances.
What this means for…
- State Pension age or over: If your weekly income is below £238.00 (single) or £363.25 (couple), you could be entitled. Owning your home does not stop you claiming.
- Retired: A small works or private pension does not rule you out. Pension Credit tops up total income to the guaranteed level.
- Caring for someone: If you get Carer's Allowance, a carer addition of £48.15 a week raises the amount you are allowed, so you may qualify on a higher income.
Common misreadings
You might hear: You cannot get Pension Credit if you own your home.
Actually: The home you live in is not counted. Homeowners can get it, and it can sometimes help with mortgage interest.
You might hear: Having some savings rules you out.
Actually: The first £10,000 of savings is ignored. Savings above that reduce the award gradually rather than stopping it.
You might hear: Pension Credit is how you get the Winter Fuel Payment.
Actually: For winter 2026 to 2027 the Winter Fuel Payment does not depend on Pension Credit. It goes to people born on or before 27 June 1960 and is taken back by HMRC if income is over £35,000.
Where the UK nations differ
- England and Wales
- Pension Credit usually brings Cold Weather Payments of £25 for each seven-day spell at 0°C or below between 1 November 2026 and 31 March 2027.
- Scotland
- Pension Credit is claimed from the DWP as elsewhere in Great Britain. Scotland has no Cold Weather Payments; it has a yearly Winter Heating Payment instead, which Pension Credit can qualify you for.
- Northern Ireland
- Pension Credit is run separately in Northern Ireland, with claims taken by the Northern Ireland Pension Centre. Details and how to claim are on nidirect. Cold Weather Payments are also paid there.
What you could do
are over State Pension age with a weekly income near or below £238 (single) or £363.25 (couple)
have an older relative or neighbour who might qualify
already get Pension Credit
Timeline
22 October 2026
New take-up figures
DWP estimates up to 900,000 entitled families did not claim in 2024 to 2025.
1 November 2026
Cold Weather Payment period starts
£25 for each seven-day cold spell until 31 March 2027, in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, for people on Pension Credit and some other benefits.
31 March 2027
Cold Weather Payment period ends
The detail
The rules
- Pension Credit has two parts. Guarantee Credit tops up weekly income to a set level. Savings Credit is an extra amount for some people who reached State Pension age before 6 April 2016.
- Standard minimum guarantee 2026 to 2027: £238.00 a week single, £363.25 a week couple (up from £227.10 and £346.60 in 2025 to 2026).
- Extra amounts: severe disability £86.05 a week, carer £48.15 a week. Help with some housing costs can also be added.
- Backdating: up to three months. You can apply up to four months before reaching State Pension age.
- Pension Credit can lead to Housing Benefit, Support for Mortgage Interest, Council Tax Reduction, a free TV licence at 75 or over, NHS dental treatment and glasses (Guarantee Credit), the Warm Home Discount and Cold Weather Payments (Winter Heating Payment in Scotland).
References
- Income-related benefits: estimates of take-up, FYE 2025: Up to 900,000 entitled families not claiming, up to £2.4bn unclaimed, about £2,500 average
- DWP press release, 13 October 2026: Average award over £4,500 a year; leaflet campaign in seven areas
Words explained
- Guarantee Credit
- The main part of Pension Credit, which tops up your weekly income to a set minimum.
- Savings Credit
- A smaller extra payment for some people who reached State Pension age before 6 April 2016 and saved for retirement.
- Backdating
- Being paid for a period before you made your claim, up to three months for Pension Credit.
- Take-up
- The share of people entitled to a benefit who actually claim it.
- Mixed-age couple
- A couple where one partner has reached State Pension age and the other has not.
In short
Pension Credit tops up a pensioner's weekly income to at least £238 if single or £363.25 for a couple. Up to 900,000 eligible families don't claim. Owning your home doesn't stop you, and the first £10,000 of savings is ignored. Ring 0800 99 1234 and ask for three months' backdating. It also unlocks other winter help.
Related dates
- 1 Nov Cold Weather Payment period startsChange · in 6 days
Sources
- Income-related benefits: estimates of take-up: financial year ending 2025, Department for Work and Pensions (2026-10-22)
- Pension Credit: what you'll get, GOV.UK
- Pension Credit: how to claim, GOV.UK
- Pension Credit: other help, GOV.UK
- Pension Credit: eligibility, GOV.UK
- Hundreds of thousands of pensioners urged to check they're not missing out on vital Pension Credit, Department for Work and Pensions (2026-10-13)
- Benefit and pension rates 2026 to 2027, Department for Work and Pensions
- Cold Weather Payment, GOV.UK
- LA Welfare Direct 10/2026, Department for Work and Pensions (2026-10-15)
- Pension Credit, nidirect
This is guidance, not regulated financial advice. Check figures against the linked official source before you act. Written with AI assistance and checked against primary sources. How Kitty works. For free, impartial help, try MoneyHelper or Citizens Advice.