Some people believe that because they have savings or own their home, they would not qualify for this benefit
Linda Howard and Fiona Callingham Lifestyle writer
14:37, 26 Oct 2025
Around 700,000 people in the UK are missing out on this payment(Image: Getty)
Pensioners are being encouraged to see if they’re eligible for an annual financial boost of around £4,300, with hundreds of thousands believed to be missing out. It’s thought that 760,000 people over the State Pension age could qualify for this extra cash but aren’t claiming it.
Pension Credit offers more than just direct financial help; it can also provide additional assistance with heating bills, housing costs, Council Tax and free TV licences for those aged 75 and above. However, as pointed out by the Daily Record, Pension Credit is one of the most under-claimed benefits in the UK.
It’s specifically designed to offer extra financial support for older people on a low income – both singles and couples. Nearly 1.4 million older people across Great Britain are currently receiving this means-tested benefit that could provide an average of £4,300 in additional support in the upcoming months.
Pension Credit is the most under-claimed benefit in the UK(Image: Getty)
However, some elderly people believe that because they have savings or own their home, they would not qualify for this means-tested benefit, which can also provide help with housing costs, heating bills and Council Tax. An award of merely £1 per week is sufficient to unlock other forms of support.
Here’s a summary of the benefit including who should check eligibility, how to do it, and how much you could receive.
Who can apply for Pension Credit?
There are two forms of Pension Credit – Guarantee Credit and Savings Credit. To be eligible for Guarantee Pension Credit, you need to have reached the State Pension age of 66 and your weekly income must be less than the minimum amount the UK Government believes is necessary to live on.
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This amount is £227.10 for a single person and £346.60 for a couple – these amounts could go up if you’re disabled, a carer or have certain housing costs.
To qualify for Savings Credit, you need to have reached State Pension age before 6 April 2016, or have a partner who reached State Pension age before this date and was already receiving it. You also need a qualifying income of at least £198.27 a week for a single person and £314.34 a week for a couple.
Pension Credit can boost your income to £227.10 a week for a single person and £346.60 for a couple(Image: Getty)What you can receive from the DWP
Guarantee Credit tops up your weekly income to £227.10 for a single person or £346.60 for a couple (whether married, in a civil partnership or living together). You might be able to get more if you’re disabled or a carer, or you have certain housing costs.
Savings Credit can give you up to £17.30 a week for a single person or £19.36 a week for a couple (married, in a civil partnership or living together). The exact amount you’ll get depends on your income and savings.
Your income includes assumed income from savings and capital over £10,000.
Check your eligibility for Pension Credit
Elderly individuals, or their friends and family, can swiftly check their eligibility and get an estimate of what they might receive by using the online Pension Credit calculator on GOV.UK here.
Alternatively, pensioners can directly contact the Pension Credit helpline to make a claim on 0800 99 1234 – the lines are open from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday.