DWP said hundreds of thousands of UK families are missing outLinda Howard Money and Consumer Writer and Kate Lally SEO writer
06:56, 16 Dec 2025
DWP said almost a million UK households are eligible but not taking up the support(Image: SolStock via Getty Images)
New figures from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) reveal that almost a million pensioner households are potentially losing out on support worth an average of £4,300 each year. Some 910,000 families eligible for Pension Credit failed to apply for the support, leaving a massive £2.5 billion sitting unclaimed in government coffers.
In a bid to boost uptake among those past State Pension age, the DWP is ramping up its campaign to encourage more people to access this crucial income-related benefit in the months ahead. The top-up is available to single individuals on the New State Pension earning less than £227.10 weekly, or couples with joint weekly earnings below £346.60, reports the Daily Record.
Retirement expert Stephen Lowe from Just Group highlighted the scale of the crisis: “The figures show the huge sums of Pension Credit that are going unclaimed by many of the nation’s poorest pensioners, who are missing out on thousands of pounds a year of valuable extra income.”
He warned that Britain’s benefits maze is leaving vulnerable people in the dark: “The benefits system is complicated and anyone feeling the squeeze on their finances should check their entitlement to benefits. That includes people who have savings or own their own homes, which they think may make them ineligible for benefits.
“Our own research among over-65s found that four in 10 (40%) pensioner homeowners had never checked their eligibility for State Benefits beyond the State Pension, that is more than twice the proportion of renters (15%).”
Currently, 1.4 million people are getting extra financial help via Pension Credit. The DWP is working to tear down hurdles preventing claims and debunks widespread myths that might discourage applications.
Often, older people can mistakenly believe they don’t qualify because they own property, have savings, receive a small workplace pension, or may have been turned down in the past.
Other factors may be that they don’t want to be seen as needing to claim, don’t think it is worth claiming, or think making a claim would be too much hassle or too complicated.
You can check if you’re eligible for Pension Credit, and get an estimate of what you may receive, using the online Pension Credit calculator on GOV.UK. Alternatively, pensioners can ring the Pension Credit helpline directly to lodge a claim on 0800 99 1234 – lines are open from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday.
Who’s eligible for Pension Credit?
There are two types of Pension Credit – Guarantee Credit and Savings Credit.
To be eligible for Guarantee Pension Credit, you must have reached State Pension age (66). Your weekly income needs to be below the minimum amount the UK Government deems necessary for living.
This stands at £227.10 for single individuals and £346.60 for couples – these figures could be higher if you’re disabled, a carer, or have certain housing costs.
You can only qualify for Savings Credit if:
you have qualifying income of at least £198.27 a week for a single person and £314.34 a week for a coupleyou reached State Pension age before April 6, 2016, or you have a partner who reached State Pension age before this date and was already receiving it
How much could you pocket from DWP?
Guarantee Credit boosts your weekly income to
£227.10 for a single person£346.60 for a couple
You might be entitled to more than this if you’re disabled or a carer, or you have certain housing costs.
Savings Credit can grant you up to:
£17.30 a week for a single person£19.36 a week for a couple
The exact sum you’ll receive hinges on your income and savings. Your income includes assumed income from savings and capital over £10,000.
Additional support if you’re on Pension Credit
If you’re eligible for Pension Credit, you could also be entitled to other forms of assistance, such as:
Council Tax discountHousing Benefit if you rent the property you live inHelp with NHS dental treatment, glasses and transport costs for hospital appointmentsHelp with your heating costs through the Warm Home Discount SchemeSupport for Mortgage Interest if you own the property you live inFree TV licence if you are aged 75 or overA discount on the Royal Mail redirection service if you are moving house