Pension Credits
If you're aged 60 or over you may be entitled to Pension Credit
- extra money each week. It's made up of two elements - the
'Guarantee Credit' element and the 'Savings Credit' element (which
may be payable from age 65).
Who is eligible?
If you're aged 60 or above
If you're aged 60 or above, or within four months of your 60th
birthday, and living in Great Britain, you may be entitled to the
'Guarantee Credit' element (which guarantees a minimum income if
you're on a low income) if either of the following applies to
you:
If you're aged 60 or above, or within four months of your 60th
birthday, and living in Great Britain, you may be entitled to the
'Guarantee Credit' element (which guarantees a minimum income if
you're on a low income) if either of the following applies to
you:
If you are aged 65 and above
If you're aged 65 or over you could be entitled to the 'Savings
Credit' element if either of the following applies to you:
If you're aged 65 or over you could be entitled to the 'Savings
Credit' element if either of the following applies to you:
For more details you can call the Pension Credit helpline on
0800 99 1234 or textphone 0800 169 0133, open 8.00 am to 8.00 pm
Monday to Friday and 9.00 am to 1.00 pm on Saturday.
How much do you get?
Age 60 and above - Guarantee Credit element
If you're single, you’ll get the difference between £119.05 and
your total weekly income if it's less than this.
If you live with a partner or civil partner, you’ll get the
difference between £181.70 and your joint total weekly income if
it's less than this.
But you may get more money if you have caring responsibilities,
are severely disabled or have certain housing costs.
Age 65 and above - Savings Credit element
If you're aged 65 or over, you may be entitled to the guarantee
credit, the savings credit or both.
The savings credit is a maximum:
- £19.05 a week if you're single
- £25.26 a week if you have a partner or civil partner
Check how much Pension Credit you might get - use the Pension
Credit calculator.
How it's paid
Pension Credit is paid into your bank,
building society, Post Office® or National Savings account that
accepts Direct Payment.
If you're registered blind or need someone
who cares for you to collect the money, you can be sent a cheque to
cash at the Post Office®.
Effect on other benefits
If you're getting Pension Credit you may also
qualify for:
- Housing Benefit
- Council Tax Benefit
- Cold Weather Payment
- Funeral Payments
- Community Care Grant
- Budgeting Loans
- Crisis Loans
- Winter Fuel Payments
- Sure Start Maternity Grant
- free school meals
If you're getting some of these benefits, the
amount may be reduced when you get Pension Credit. But you should
still be better off claiming Pension Credit.
How to apply
Over the telephone
You can call the Pension Service 0800 99 1234 or textphone 0800
169 0133 (lines are open 8.00 am to 8.00 pm Monday to Friday and
9.00 am to 1.00 pm on Saturdays).
An adviser will help you apply for Pension Credit and let you
know what happens next.
Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit
The Pension Service can also help you apply for Housing Benefit
and Council Tax Benefit at the same time as your application for
Pension Credit.
Download a form and print
You can download, print and complete the application form to
post free of charge to your pension centre.
Download and fill out a form on screen
Or you can complete an application form online before posting it
free to your pension centre.
What to do if your circumstances change
Tell your pension centre if your circumstances change, so you
continue to get the right amount of Pension Credit.
How to appeal
If you're refused Pension Credit or think it's been calculated
wrongly, ask the office that dealt with your claim to reconsider
the decision. If you're still unhappy with the outcome you can
appeal to an independent Unified Appeal Tribunal.
You can find out more about the appeals process in the
Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) booklet 'If you think our
decision is wrong'.