Martin<\/a> wrote: \u201cThis crucial top-up for State Pensioners on the lowest incomes is still being missed out on, using the Government’s own numbers, by over 900,000 of the 2.3 million eligible. And as it’s just been increased for the new tax year, even more people are now eligible, some who weren’t before.\u201d<\/p>\n Martin said single people over State Pension age with an income under \u00a3238 a week and pensioner couples with a combined income under \u00a3363 are \u201clikely\u201d to qualify for Pension Credit.<\/a><\/p>\n READ MORE: DWP breaks down Pension Credit barriers to help more people claim \u00a34,300 top-up<\/a>READ MORE: Pensioners with arthritis could be due up to \u00a3458 a month in cash support<\/a><\/p>\n The financial guru also urged single pensioners with an income under \u00a3250 a week and couples with a combined income under \u00a3380 to check their eligibility using the online Pension Credit calculator on GOV.UK.<\/a><\/p>\n Anna, 83, contacted the MSE.com team by email to share her Pension Credit success story after making a successful claim for the means-tested benefit.<\/p>\n She wrote: “By a direct result of Martin and the Government impressing on the older generation to apply for Pension Credit, I have saved almost \u00a33,000 in the last year.”<\/p>\n Anna explained how she and her 76-year-old husband were awarded \u00a36.10 Pension Credit a week, unlocking access to other financial support.<\/p>\n This included a Council Tax reduction, free TV licence, Warm Home Discount and a lower water bill – a total annual saving of more than \u00a33,000.<\/p>\n Anna\u2019s Pension Credit claim was backdated which resulted in no Council Tax payments this year.<\/p>\n She said: \u201cThis has made such a difference to my husband and me, with less worry over the cost of living.\u201d<\/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 over \u00a34,300 in extra support during the year ahead.<\/p>\n Some older people think because they have savings or own their home they would not be eligible for the means-tested benefit, but 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 There\u2019s also a handy guide on MSE.com.<\/a><\/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. 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 \u00a3238.00 for a single person and \u00a3363.25 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 \u00a3238.00 a week for a single person and \u00a3363.25 a week for a couple<\/p>\n pic<\/p>\n How much could you receive from DWP?<\/p>\n Guarantee Credit tops up your weekly income to:<\/p>\n \u00a3238.00 for a single person\u00a3363.25 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 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 A full breakdown of the payment rates can be found on GOV.UK.<\/a><\/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 found on GOV.UK here.<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cI have savings so I won\u2019t qualify.\u201d<\/p>\n Savings over \u00a310,000 are taken into account, but many people with modest savings still qualify.<\/p>\n \u201cI own my home so I\u2019m not eligible.\u201d<\/p>\n Home ownership does not automatically disqualify you.<\/p>\n \u201cI have a small private pension so I\u2019ll be refused.\u201d<\/p>\n Pension Credit tops up income \u2014 even small occupational pensions can still leave you eligible.<\/p>\n \u201cThe amount would be too small to bother.\u201d<\/p>\n Even a small award can unlock help with housing costs, council tax and energy bills.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s too complicated to apply.\u201d<\/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![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/10_Screen-Shot-2020-07-22-at-132843.png\")
Pension Credit – common myths<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/0_DR-MOney.png\")
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