Pension Credit: check if you or a loved one are missing out

On 13 October 2026 the Department for Work and Pensions launched a new campaign urging pensioners to check whether they could get Pension Credit. 660,000 leaflets are being posted to homes in Glasgow, Powys, Stockton-on-Tees, inland Cornwall, Birmingham, East Suffolk and Manchester.

DWP says Pension Credit is worth more than £4,500 a year on average, and around 1.4 million pensioner households already get it — but many more who are eligible have never claimed. The leaflets encourage people to check, help a loved one claim, and pin the information to the fridge.

You must live in England, Scotland or Wales and have reached State Pension age. (Northern Ireland has its own scheme.) If you have a partner, you apply together.

Pension Credit tops your weekly income up to £238 if you're single, or £363.25 for a couple. Income includes your State Pension, other pensions, earnings and most benefits — but not things like Attendance Allowance, Disability Living Allowance, PIP, Housing Benefit or Winter Fuel Payment.

Common myths: owning your home does not stop you claiming, and having some savings does not automatically rule you out. Your income may also be higher than the limits and you could still qualify if you're disabled, a carer, have housing costs or have savings.

Around £86.05 a week extra if you have a severe disability and get a qualifying benefit such as Attendance Allowance.

Around £48.15 a week extra if you get Carer's Allowance or Carer Support Payment.

Extra amounts if you're responsible for a child or young person who lives with you.

Figures are from GOV.UK at the time of writing and change each year — always check the latest amounts there.

Getting Pension Credit can also open the door to help with bills and other everyday costs, such as help with housing costs, Council Tax, heating support and a free TV licence if you're 75 or over. Exactly what you get depends on your circumstances — GOV.UK and your council can confirm.

Online: use the GOV.UK Pension Credit service if you've already applied for your State Pension.

By phone: call the Pension Credit claim line on 0800 99 1234 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm). A friend or family member can call for you.

By post: print and fill in the claim form from GOV.UK, or ask the claim line to send one.

Have ready: your National Insurance number, details of income, savings and investments, and your bank details.

Backdating: you can apply up to 4 months before reaching State Pension age. Claims can be backdated by up to 3 months if you were eligible then — so don't wait.

Many people who miss out are older relatives who assume they won't qualify. Sit down together, gather their pension and savings details, and use the GOV.UK eligibility calculator or call the claim line with them. Citizens Advice and Age UK can also help fill in forms for free.

Campaigns like this are often copied by scammers. Only apply through GOV.UK or the official claim line number above, never through a link in an unexpected text or email, and never pay anyone to claim for you. If you're unsure whether a message is genuine, contact DWP directly using details from GOV.UK.