Pension Credit does more than provide direct financial support, it can unlock access to additional financial help with heating bills, housing costs, Council Tax<\/a> and free TV licences for those aged 75 and over. New research published on October 30 found Scotland has the highest Pension Credit uptake of any nation in the UK at 67 per cent.<\/p>\n However, the report published by the DWP suggests there are still a third of potentially eligible Scottish pensioners <\/a>yet to claim – adding up to around \u00a3150 million. Within Scotland, Glasgow is leading on uptake at 79 per cent while Orkney Islands and Aberdeenshire have the lowest uptake at 44 and 49 per cent respectively.<\/p>\n READ MORE: New State Pension update for thousands of people missing out on annual payment rise<\/a>READ MORE: Check if you are due \u00a359 winter heating payment before crucial qualifying week<\/a><\/p>\n Breakdown of Pension Credit uptake proportion in Scotland:<\/p>\n Aberdeen City – 61%Aberdeenshire – 49%Angus – 58%Argyll and Bute – 59%City of Edinburgh – 61%Clackmannanshire – 66%Dumfries and Galloway – 62%Dundee City – 73%East Ayrshire – 70%East Dunbartonshire – 58%East Lothian – 58%East Renfrewshire – 60%Falkirk – 70%Fife – 63%Glasgow City – 79%Highland – 59%Inverclyde – 72%Midlothian – 66%Moray – 56%Na h-Eileanan Siar – 67%North Ayrshire – 72%North Lanarkshire – 76%Orkney Islands – 44%Perth and Kinross – 56%Renfrewshire – 72%Scottish Borders – 57%Shetland Islands – 51%South Ayrshire – 63%South Lanarkshire – 71%Stirling – 62%West Dunbartonshire – 75%West Lothian – 71%<\/p>\n The new trial – in partnership with Age UK and Independent Age – consists of a letter sent to 2,000 pensioners across England urging them to claim Pension Credit. These pensioners have been identified through the analysis as being the most likely to be eligible for Pension Credit but not currently claiming the benefit.<\/p>\n The exact average amounts for Pension Credit:<\/p>\n \u00a3114.99 for a couple\u00a378.23 for an individual pensioner\u00a382.71 on average<\/p>\n The drive to put more money in the pockets of pensioners who need it the most is part of the Government\u2019s wider plan for national renewal, ensuring everyone across the country is seen, valued and treated with respect.<\/p>\n Minister for Pensions Torsten Bell said: \u201cWe\u2019re committed to supporting harder-up pensioners however we can. Pension Credit is a simple way to give those who need it the most some extra support with bills or a free TV licence.<\/p>\n “I’d urge anyone who thinks they, or anyone they know, might be able to claim Pension Credit, to take a few minutes out of their day to check and apply. This country\u2019s pensioners deserve every penny they are entitled to\u201d<\/p>\n This comes as the annual national figure showing how many eligible pensioners were not claiming Pension Credit was published. This shows an increase on the previous year\u2019s figure of up to 760,000 households.<\/p>\n The figure shows the number of eligible pensioners not claiming between 2023 and 2024, before the Department launched its biggest ever Pension Credit awareness campaign. This campaign has seen an extra 56,700 households awarded Pension Credit in the last year alone with awards of Pension Credit now worth on average \u00a383 a week.<\/p>\n Morgan Vine, Director of Policy and Influencing at Independent Age, said: \u201cWe\u2019re pleased to support this proactive UK Government trial to increase the reach of Pension Credit. If you\u2019re in financial hardship, where you live shouldn\u2019t be a factor in whether or not you receive the money you\u2019re entitled to, but at the moment it is.<\/p>\n \u201cWith the continued high cost of living, the older people that we speak to cannot afford to miss out on any of the money they are eligible for.<\/p>\n \u201cInitiatives like this trial are a positive step towards increasing the number of people receiving the financial support they are entitled to, and we urge the UK Government to continue building on this strategic approach.\u201d<\/p>\n The new trial marks a shift in how the Department identifies and contacts potentially eligible pensioners who are not claiming Pension Credit. Previously, letters targeted pensioners receiving Housing Benefit. If successful, further trials could take place.<\/p>\n This comes during the Department\u2019s Pension Credit Week of Action aimed at raising awareness of the benefits of Pension Credit and encouraging everyone eligible to apply.<\/p>\n It builds on the UK Government\u2019s commitment to supporting pensioners, including through plans to simplify the application process for Housing Benefit and Pension Credit as well as via the triple lock which is set to see the yearly state pension rise by up to \u00a31,900 over this parliament.<\/p>\n Four ways Pension Credit helps pensioners save<\/p>\n Housing costs<\/p>\n Pension Credit can help with certain housing costs. Eligible pensioners might also qualify for a Local Council Tax Reduction to lower their council tax bill, Housing Benefit if they\u2019re renting, or Support for Mortgage Interest if they own their home<\/p>\n Energy bills<\/p>\n Pension Credit unlocks access to additional energy support. Eligible pensioners could receive the Warm Home Discount to reduce electricity costs and Cold Weather Payments during particularly cold spells<\/p>\n Health and wellbeing<\/p>\n Pension Credit can provide access to essential NHS services. This includes dental treatment and help with transport costs for hospital appointments<\/p>\n TV Licence<\/p>\n Pensioners aged 75 and over who are eligible for Pension Credit qualify for a free TV Licence<\/p>\n Pension Credit is the most under-claimed benefit and is specifically aimed at providing additional financial support for older people on a low income – singles and couples.<\/p>\n Nearly 1.4 million older people across Great Britain, including more than 125,000 living in Scotland, are currently receiving the means-tested benefit that could provide an average of \u00a34,300 in extra support during the coming months.<\/p>\n An award of just \u00a31 per week is enough to unlock other support.<\/p>\n Below is an overview of the benefit including who should check eligibility, how to go about it, how much you could get and where to get help filling in the form.<\/p>\n Who can claim Pension Credit?<\/p>\n There are two types of Pension Credit – Guarantee Credit and Savings Credit.<\/p>\n To qualify for Guarantee Pension Credit , you must be State Pension age (66). Your weekly income will need to be less than the minimum amount the UK Government says you need to live on.<\/p>\n This is \u00a3227.10 for a single person and \u00a3346.60 for a couple – this amount could be higher if you’re disabled, a carer or have certain housing costs.<\/p>\n You can only get Savings Credit if:<\/p>\n you 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 ityou have qualifying income of at least \u00a3198.27 a week for a single person and \u00a3314.34 a week for a coupleHow much could you receive from DWP?<\/p>\n Guarantee Credit tops up your weekly income to:<\/p>\n \u00a3227.10 for a single person\u00a3346.60 for a couple (married, in a civil partnership or cohabiting)<\/p>\n You might be able to get more than this if you’re disabled or a carer, or you have certain housing costs.<\/p>\n Savings Credit can give you up to:<\/p>\n \u00a317.30 a week for a single person\u00a319.36 a week for a couple (married, in a civil partnership or cohabiting).<\/p>\n The exact amount you\u2019ll get depends on your income and savings. Your income includes assumed income from savings and capital over \u00a310,000.<\/p>\n How to check eligibility for Pension Credit<\/p>\n Older people, or friends and family, can quickly check their eligibility and get an estimate of what they may receive by using the online Pension Credit calculator on GOV.UK here.<\/a><\/p>\n Alternatively, pensioners can contact the Pension Credit helpline directly to make a claim on 0800 99 1234 – lines are open 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday.<\/p>\n Expert help and advice is also available from:<\/p>\n More details about claiming Pension Credit can be fond on GOV.UK here.<\/a><\/p>\n Other help if you get Pension Credit<\/p>\n If you qualify for Pension Credit you can also get other help, such as:<\/p>\n Housing Benefit if you rent the property you live inSupport for Mortgage Interest if you own the property you live inCouncil Tax discountFree TV licence if you are aged 75 or overHelp with NHS dental treatment, glasses and transport costs for hospital appointmentsHelp with your heating costs through the Warm Home Discount SchemeA discount on the Royal Mail redirection service if you are moving houseMixed aged older couples and Pension Credit<\/p>\n In May 2019, the law changed so a \u2018mixed age couple\u2019 – a couple where one partner is of State Pension age and the other is under it – are considered to be a \u2018working age\u2019 couple when checking entitlement to means-tested benefits.<\/p>\n This means they cannot claim Pension Credit or pension age Housing Benefit until they are both State Pension age. Before this DWP change, a mixed age couple could be eligible to claim the more generous State Pension age benefits when just one of them reached State Pension age.<\/p>\n How to use the Pension Credit calculator<\/p>\n To use the calculator on GOV.UK<\/a>, you will need details of:<\/p>\n earnings, benefits and pensionssavings and investments<\/p>\n You\u2019ll need the same details for your partner if you have one. You will be presented by a series of questions with multiple choice answer options.<\/p>\n This includes:<\/p>\n Your date of birthYour residential statusWhere in the UK you liveWhether you are registered blindWhich benefits you currently receiveHow much you receive each week for any benefits you getWhether someone is paid Carer\u2019s Allowance to look after youHow much you get each week from pensions – State Pension, private and work pensionsAny employment earningsAny savings, investments or bonds you have<\/p>\n Once you have answered these questions, a summary screen shows your responses, allowing you to go back and change any answers before submitting. The Pension Credit calculator then displays how much benefit you could receive each week.<\/p>\n All you have to do then is follow the link to the application page to find out exactly what you will get from the DWP, including access to other financial support.<\/p>\n There\u2019s also an option to print off the answers you give using the calculator tool to help you complete the application form quicker without having to look out the same details again. Try the Pension Credit Calculator<\/a> for yourself or your family member to make sure you\u2019re receiving all the financial support you are entitled to claim.<\/p>\n Who cannot use the Pension Credit calculator?<\/p>\n You cannot use the calculator if you or your partner:<\/p>\n are deferring your State Pensionown more than one propertyare self employedhave housing costs (such as service charges or Crown Tenant rent) which are neither mortgage repayments nor rent covered by Housing BenefitHow to make a claim<\/p>\n You can start your application up to four months before you reach State Pension age. You can claim any time after you reach State Pension age but your claim can only be backdated for three months.<\/p>\n This means you can get up to three months of Pension Credit in your first payment if you were eligible during that time.<\/p>\n You will need:<\/p>\n your National Insurance numberinformation about your income, savings and investmentsyour bank account details, if you\u2019re applying by phone or by post<\/p>\n If you\u2019re backdating your claim, you\u2019ll need details of your income, savings and investments on the date you want your claim to start.<\/p>\n Apply online<\/p>\n You can use the online service if:<\/p>\n you have already claimed your State Pensionthere are no children or young people included in your claim<\/p>\n To check your entitlement, phone the Pension Credit helpline on 0800 99 1234 or use the GOV.UK Pension Credit calculator here<\/a> to find out how much you could get.<\/p>\n Join the conversation on our Money Saving Scotland Facebook group<\/a> for money-saving tips, the latest State Pension and benefits news, energy bill advice and cost of living updates.<\/p>\n Sign up to our Record Money newsletter and get the top stories sent to your inbox daily from Monday to Friday with a special cost of living edition every Thursday – sign up here<\/a>.<\/p>\n You can also follow us on X (formerly Twitter) @Recordmoney_<\/a> for regular updates throughout the day or get money news alerts on your phone by joining our Daily Record Money WhatsApp community<\/a>.<\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/9_Screen-Shot-2021-09-22-at-091703.png\")
New DWP analysis shows uptake of Pension Credit is higher in Scotland than England and Wales.(Image: Getty )<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/1761734295_904_0_DR-MOney.png\")
Get the latest Record Money news<\/p>\n