The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has said that 880,000 eligible households are yet to claim Pension Credit – a free payment from the government - while many may not even know they are eligible for it.

Next week (2-8 September) is Pension Credit Week of Action, which is all about raising awareness of this vital benefit and encouraging people to check their eligibility and make a claim.

What is Pension Credit?

Pension Credit gives you extra money to help with your living costs if you’re over State Pension age and on a low income. It can also help with housing costs such as ground rent or service charges.

It is separate from your State Pension and you can get it even if you have other income, savings or your own home.

Pension Credit is worth, on average, £3,900 a year. Extra help may be available if you’re:

• a carer
• severely disabled
• responsible for a child or a young person
  

How to check if you’re eligible

You can use the Pension Credit calculator to find out if you’re eligible for Pension Credit and how much you could get: gov.uk/pension-credit-calculator

If you have a partner, your income is calculated together.

You must live in England, Scotland or Wales and have reached State Pension age to qualify for Pension Credit.

Pension Credit tops up:

• Your weekly income to £218.15 if you’re single
• Your joint weekly income to £332.95 if you have a partner
  

If your income is higher, you might still be eligible for Pension Credit if you have a disability, you care for someone, you have savings or you have housing costs.

How to apply

You can apply for Pension Credit online: gov.uk/pension-credit

You can also call the Pension Credit claim line on 0800 99 1234

You can start an application from up to four months before you reach State Pension Age or at any time after you reach State Pension Age.

You’ll need the following information about you and your partner if you have one:

• National Insurance number
• Information about any income, savings and investments you have
• Information about your income, savings and investments on the date you want to backdate your application to (usually 3 months ago or the date you reached State Pension age if this is sooner)
  

You’ll also need your bank account details. Depending on how you apply, you may also be asked for your bank or building society name, sort code and account number.

What else could I get if I claim Pension Credit?

If you get Pension Credit you can also get other help, such as:

• The Winter Fuel Payment
• Help with heating costs through the Warm Home Discount Scheme and Cold Weather Payment
• Housing Benefit if you rent the property you live in
• Support for Mortgage Interest if you own the property you live in
• A Council Tax discount
• A free TV Licence if you’re aged 75 or over
• Help with NHS dental treatment, glasses and transport costs for hospital appointments, if you get a certain type of Pension Credit
• A discount on the Royal Mail redirection service if you’re moving house
  

Where to find more information

More information on Pension Credit is available on the government website gov.uk/pension-credit/how-to-claim

If you’re on social media look out for new content going out on DWP’s accounts on X, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram. Follow #pensioncredit for the latest posts as part of this year’s Pension Credit Week of Action campaign.