Pension Credit — the most underclaimed benefit
Pension Credit tops up your income if you are over the State Pension age and your income is below a certain level — around £218 per week for a single person or around £332 for couples (figures subject to annual review). It is separate from the State Pension and does not reduce it.
Receiving Pension Credit also acts as a gateway to other entitlements including: free NHS dental treatment, free prescriptions, free sight tests, help with housing costs and the Warm Home Discount.
Around a third of eligible pensioners do not claim Pension Credit. This represents thousands of pounds per year in unclaimed support. Check eligibility at GOV.UK or via the Pension Service.
Council Tax Reduction for pensioners
Pensioners on low incomes can apply to their local council for Council Tax Reduction. The rules for pension-age households are often more generous than for working-age households.
Single pensioners also receive a 25% single-person discount on their council tax bill automatically.
Winter Fuel Payment and Cold Weather Payment
The Winter Fuel Payment is an annual payment to help with heating bills. Since 2024, it has been targeted at households receiving Pension Credit or certain other means-tested benefits.
Cold Weather Payments are triggered when temperatures drop below a threshold for seven consecutive days. These are made automatically to eligible households.
Other entitlements
Free bus pass: available to everyone in England from State Pension age. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own schemes.
Free TV licence: for households with someone aged 75 or over who receives Pension Credit.
Attendance Allowance: for people over State Pension age with a disability or health condition who need help with personal care. It is not means-tested.