Nearly one million pensioners are failing to claim a benefit worth an average of £4,300 a year, according to DWP data

Christian Abbott and Rory Poulter

04:45, 21 Jan 2026

Senior couple calculating home finances using calculator and laptop, worried about debts and expenses

Approximately 910,000 households could claim the benefit(Image: Daniel de la Hoz via Getty Images)

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has released figures revealing that nearly one million pensioners are losing out on £80 per week. This represents an average of £4,300 yearly, which is allocated to those who qualify for Pension Credit.

Approximately 910,000 households could claim the benefit, meaning roughly £2.5 billion remains unclaimed. Pension Credit provides a top-up for single people on the New State Pension whose total weekly income is below £227.10, or couples with combined weekly income under £346.60, reports Birmingham Live.

An individual is seated at a table, engaged in using a laptop computer. The setting includes a room with large windows, a patterned wall, and a decorative potted plant on the table.

Pension Credit provides a top-up for single people on the New State Pension(Image: inyourArea)

Elderly people may incorrectly assume they’re not entitled if they:

have savingsown their own homemay be workingmay be getting a small occupational pensionmay have been turned down in the past

Additional barriers might be that people:

do not want to be seen as needing to claimfeel that they’re able to managedo not think it’s worth applying – as the amount they get will be very smalldo not recognise themselves as a Pension Credit claimanthave not got around to itthink it’s a complex and confusing subjectalready get other help and do not want to mess up the benefits they are getting

Older people, or their friends and family, can quickly check their eligibility and receive an estimate of potential benefits by utilising the online Pension Credit calculator on GOV.UK. Pensioners can contact the Pension Credit helpline directly to submit a claim by calling 0800 99 1234.