Pension Credit gives you extra money to help with your living costs if you’re over State Pension age and on a low income. Pension Credit can also help with housing costs such as ground rent or service charges.
You might get extra help if you’re a carer, severely disabled, or responsible for a child or young person.
Pension Credit is separate from your State Pension.
You can get Pension Credit even if you have other income, savings or own your own home.
Claiming Pension Credit also means you may qualify for other benefits such as winter fuel payments, the Warm Home Discount Scheme and help with housing and Council Tax costs.
Types of Pension Credit
Pension Credit comes in two parts. Guarantee Credit and Savings credit.
Guarantee Credit tops up your weekly income to a guranteed minimum level. Anyone who has reached state pension age, either as a single person or a couple, and is on a low income may qualify.
Savings credit is extra money for those who have got savings or income higher than the basic state pension. It’s only available to people who reached State Pension age before 6 April 2016.
Qualifying for Pension Credit
If you have reached the State Pension Age and have income of less than 10,000 then you may qualify for Pension Credit.
Use the Pension Credit Calculator to see if you qualify or call them on 0800 99 1234.
How to claim
You can apply online for Pension Credit. This is the quickest way to apply.
You can also apply by phone (Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm) using the numbers below:
- Telephone: 0800 99 1234
- Textphone: 0800 169 0133
- NGT text relay (if you can’t hear or speak on the phone): Dial 18001 then 0800 99 1234.
Information you will need
Before you claim make sure you have:
- Your National Insurance number
- Information about your income, savings, and investments
- Your bank account details
More Information
If you receive Pension Credit, you may also qualify for Housing Benefit and/or Council Tax Support. You will need to claim separately for these.
