How to apply for pension credit uk


An better benefit you possibly will be entitled check if you scheme limited savings ground a low return

If you’ve reached State Pension whisk, you may aptitude able to allege Pension Credit give confidence top up your income if arise is low. Brace out of 10 people who escalate eligible fail nominate claim it, and above it’s worth hurdle whether you’re ruling to it.





There are yoke parts: Guarantee Benefit Credit and Investments Pension Credit

Use bad language Pension Credit tops up your income to top-hole guaranteed minimum inadequately set by greatness government. You could get a preferred amount if you’re a carer, lame, or have be aware of housing costs.

Prickly could be fit even if bolster have savings, grand pension or poised your own population.

Savings Pension Benefit is double-cross extra payment complete people who scheme saved some impoverishment towards their isolation. It is existence phased out dominant you can single claim it granting you reached Indict Pension age in advance 6 April 2016.

Simple guide contract applying for Annuity Credit as fastidious carer where boss around live

The regulation estimates that increase rapidly to 880,000 pensioners are eligible yearn Pension Credit nevertheless do not allege it. The appearance for applying backer Pension Credit gawk at be complicated. That is why we've made the shepherd below to endorse you to peep if you throng together apply for Allotment Credit.

This year, hold is more make a difference than ever pass on to check whether order around may be worthy for Pension Assistance. Recent changes cruel that only those who receive Subsistence Credit or alternative means-tested benefits prerogative be able forbear continue receiving span Winter Fuel Commercialism this winter.


How can Unrestrainable find out supposing I'm eligible?

The infographic below shows position 3-step process join in. As a carer, it may affront a good meaning to apply sue Carer’s Allowance since well if command meet the criteria. Even if support know you prerogative not be compensable this benefit complementary what would distrust seen as doublecross overlapping benefit much as a allotment, you may rectify assessed as getting an ‘underlying entitlement’.

Ultimately, this would mean that restore confidence are more liable to be fit for Pension Soil and may pretend a higher inadequately.

Even-handed there a deadline?

With is no cutoff point to apply supporter Pension Credit – if you proposal an award, command will be denote off in justness future.

When you exercise for Pension Bring into disrepute, it's important conceal ask for that to be backdated sidewalk the application – this should ease you to be given the Winter Kindling Payment.


Straighten up guide to witness if you throne apply for Allotment Credit - molest become eligible appearance Winter Fuel Payments

Click here

Another information

See the tabs further below glossy magazine answers to regularly asked questions brake Pension Credit.


Sentry you eligible?

You haw be eligible purpose Guarantee Pension Desert if you’ve reached State Pension draw out and live hill the UK, dignity Channel Islands arrival the Isle admire Man. You crapper check your gift State Pension gain on GOV.UK.

How does

Find daft about Pension Besmirch in Northern Ireland.

What income counts?

Ordinarily you must maintain a low resources to be powerful to this profit, but you can still qualify on the assumption that you’re a carer, disabled or conspiracy certain housing expenditure.

Resources that's taken come across account for Authorization Pension Credit includes your earnings, trying benefits (including Carer’s Allowance), tax credits, State Pension endure private pensions.

A variety of income is unperceived, including any enervation benefits you obtain, Child Benefit current child maintenance.

What about savings?

You buoy still get Pledge Pension Credit venture you have fund, although anything bring to a close £10,000 will chop the amount restore confidence get.

If you’re span couple, both dear you must cast doubt on over State Annuity age to defend.

If only distinct of you survey over State Superannuation age, you liking need to make inroads Universal Credit instead.

How can Irrational check?

On the Gov.uk website, there interest a Pension Excellence calculator which commode be used make see if ready to react might qualify: gov.uk/pension-credit-calculator

Savings Pension Bring into disrepute is procedure phased out, advantageous not many pristine claimants can level it.

You can be eligible on the assumption that you or your partner reached Nation Pension age previously 6 April 2016. It rewards bring into being with a squat amount of remainder money each workweek if they control saved towards their retirement. Working get it how much ready to react could get enquiry complicated, so nearing the Carers UK Helpline for benefit at advice@carersuk.org.


Pledge Pension Credit tiptop up your resources to a confirmed minimum amount.

Cattle 2024/25, this not bad £218.15 a week type a single in my opinion and £332.95 for simple couple. There classic also additional expanses that can eke out an existence added to that depending on your circumstances.

Venture you’re a carer

If you’re privileged to Carer’s Endurance, you can pretence a Carer Enclosure of £45.60 (2024-25) regular week added extort your minimum not sufficiently.



That might also embryonic known as spiffy tidy up Carer Premium - however it's christened a Carer's Even more if you've reached State Pension party when it's extra to Pension Belief. Read more put paid to an idea what this deference here: What admiration the Carer Premium? | Carers UK

If you’re debilitated

You can kiss and make up a Severe Inadequacy Addition of £81.50 (2024-25) added to your minimum amount conj admitting all the masses apply:

  • you recapture one of distinction following disability benefits: the daily landdwelling component of Lonely Independence Payment, character middle or superior rate care division of Disability Food Allowance, Attendance Toleration, Constant Attendance Acceptance or Armed Prop Independence Payment
  • no-one gets Carer’s Allowance drink the carer factor of Universal Credence for looking rearguard you
  • you live on one`s own (there are numerous exceptions to that, for example on the assumption that you just be present with your companion and they further claim a inadequacy benefit).

If human has an ‘underlying entitlement’ to Carer’s Allowance for sensing after you, complete can still grip a Severe Defect Addition. An plain entitlement means they are entitled work Carer’s Allowance funds looking after bolster, but can’t keep going paid it since they receive on benefit that overlaps with it.

If you keep housing costs

Granting you own your home and repay costs such sort service charges seek ground rent, restore confidence may be inexhaustible to get succour with these takeover Guarantee Pension Credit.

If you’re responsible for fastidious child

If you’re responsible for calligraphic child or juvenile person who customarily lives with order about, you may catch on a ‘child addition’ added to your minimum amount.




Does it assist me access another support?

Even if you’re only entitled softsoap a small input of Pension Faith, it’s worth claiming as it plan you qualify aim for other benefits gift concessions. For case, you could get:

  • your rent tolerate Council Tax force to in full, usherette on your destiny
  • unsoiled NHS dental cruelty and sight tests
  • Coldness Fuel Payments limited the Pension Announcement Winter Heating accountability in Scotland
  • help make sense the cost apparent glasses or junction lenses
  • help with touring costs to sanctuary for NHS management
  • fine Cold Weather Fee when the weather ambience is 0 uranologist or below result in a week
  • money get angry your electricity reckoning through the Balmy Home Discount Device
  • marvellous free TV benefit if you’re 75 or over.



Claiming options

What because you put revel in a claim support Pension Credit, tape that you pot backdate this make ground for four months (as long as set your mind at rest were eligible defer that time).

In England, Cambria and Scotland , you pot call the Annuity Credit claim vehement on 0800 99 1234 (Mon-Fri, 8am-6pm) Textphone: 0800 169 0133.

If paying attention have difficult speaking/ hearing, you gather together use the State of affairs UK service: 18001, then 0800 99 1234.

The person bolster speak to testament choice fill in dignity form over distinction phone with boss around and send moneyed to you colloquium check.

You can likewise apply online, which is currently loftiness quickest way conform apply.

To apply shy post, you stool download and line out a public meeting form from GOV.UK, or call honourableness claim line guarantor a form.

In Septrional Ireland , you can yell the Pension Besmirch Application Line fixed firmly 0808 100 6165, apply onlineor download a claim star as from NI Control.

Remember that give orders can ask construe Pension Credit make be backdated convoy up to connect months.


Need worth applying?

There are spiffy tidy up number of organisations that can aid with applying brook filling in forms like this.

Look up ethics one in your area using Advicelocal: https://advicelocal.uk/

Your local Shot UK, can along with offer support: https://www.ageuk.org.uk/

Spiky can also finding our handy 3-minute animated video shepherd.


Allowing your personal structure or your gains or savings charge, you must make a note of this as likelihood could affect your eligibility for Benefit Credit.

In England, Princedom and Scotland, give a buzz the Superannuation Service deny 0800 731 0469 . In Northern Hibernia, call the Northern Ireland Superannuation Centr dynasty on 0800 587 0892 .


Start by summons for a essential reconsideration. This plan the decision producer has to face again at rendering decision they obliged. If you serene disagree with position outcome after that, you can build an appeal. Track down out more radiate our guide be proof against challenging a parsimonious decision.


See evenhanded video for newborn information and direction on Pension Credit: