More than 910,000 people across the United Kingdom are failing to claim a vital benefit worth up to £347 a week, according to new figures from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). The unclaimed support amounts to as much as £2.5 billion annually, meaning hundreds of thousands of older citizens could be missing out on roughly £2,600 each year in much-needed financial assistance.
The benefit in question is Pension Credit, a government payment designed to help people of state pension age on low incomes. Beyond the cash top-up itself, it also provides access to a range of additional support, including a free television licence for those aged over 75, assistance with council tax and housing costs, and help covering heating bills. For many older households struggling with the rising cost of living, the payment represents a crucial lifeline.
What Pension Credit Offers and Who Can Claim It
Pension Credit consists of two main parts: Guarantee Credit and Savings Credit. The first ensures a minimum income level for pensioners. According to the Department for Work and Pensions, Guarantee Credit tops up weekly income to £221.10 for single people and £346.60 for couples. The second component, Savings Credit, rewards those who have managed to put aside some money towards retirement before April 6, 2016, with up to £17.30 a week for individuals and £19.36 for couples.
The scheme is open to anyone over the state pension age, currently set at 66 years old, whose income falls below these thresholds. Applicants’ income is assessed jointly if they live with a partner, whether married, in a civil partnership or cohabiting. Pension Credit is often described as a “gateway benefit” because it opens the door to a number of other forms of support, such as help with rent, service charges, and access to free NHS dental treatment.
Eligibility may extend even to those whose income slightly exceeds the basic limits, as extra allowances can be added for people who are carers, severely disabled, or responsible for a child or young person. According to the DWP, individuals with savings or investments above £10,000 may receive reduced payments, as every £500 above this amount is treated as £1 income per week in the calculation.
How to Check Eligibility and Apply
Applications for Pension Credit can be made up to four months before reaching state pension age. It is also possible to apply after that age, with claims backdated for up to three months, ensuring eligible pensioners receive payments for that earlier period. To apply, individuals must provide their National Insurance number, details of income, savings, and bank account information.
The government’s official Pension Credit service allows online applications via the website apply-for-pension-credit.service.gov.uk. Alternatively, claimants can download a form from the DWP website and post it to Freepost DWP Pensions Service 3. A telephone helpline (0800 99 1234) is also available for those preferring to request or complete a claim by phone.
Several organisations provide free tools to help pensioners determine whether they qualify. According to charity Turn2Us, its benefits calculator can quickly estimate eligibility, while similar calculators are available from Entitledto, MoneySavingExpert.com, and StepChange, powered by Entitledto’s data. Policy in Practice also offers a calculator that shows potential benefits and estimates monthly disposable income after housing costs.
While the exact entitlement varies depending on each household’s situation, these calculators offer a clear first step for older Britons to check whether they are missing out on support. As the DWP figures reveal, hundreds of thousands may be entitled to far more financial help than they realise.
