State pensioners are being warned they are missing out on a £4,300 cash boost for winter. Older people and retirees might be able to claim extra financial support before the bone-chilling winter hits, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) says.

Raising awareness of Pension Credit, the DWP warns while around 1.4 million pensioners are already receiving Pension Credit, up to an estimated 700,000 households are eligible for the support but are not claiming it.

The benefit is worth £4,300 on average a year. Pension Credit is a benefit aimed at people over State Pension age, offering a top-up to their income. It’s made up of two parts. While some people get both, many qualify for just one of the two.

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Guarantee Credit is the main part of Pension Credit, giving you a top-up of your weekly income to a minimum guaranteed level. For 2025/26, this is £227.10 a week if you’re single, and £346.60 a week if you’re in a couple (you’ll get slightly more if you claim certain disability-related benefits, or have caring responsibilities).

Savings Credit is for those who reached state pension age before April 2016, there’s an extra boost available if you’ve made provision for your retirement via savings, work or a private pension.

This gives you up to £17.30 a week if you’re single, and £19.36 if you’re in a couple. To qualify, you’ve got to earn above a threshold amount of £198.27 if you’re single and £314.34 if you’re in a couple.

BBC and ITV star Martin Lewis said previously: “Pension Credit is complex, so rather than trying to work out if you can get it, just get in touch online or by phone to see if you’re eligible.

“It only takes a few minutes and can be worth thousands. The worst that can happen is they tell you you’re not – and you don’t get in trouble for trying.

“So don’t stall, just call (or go online, but we haven’t got a rhyme for that).”