UK-wide
Pension Credit (PC)
Last verified: 3 October 2026. We check the official source every night. How we verify.
An income-related benefit for people who have reached State Pension age and have a low income. It can also help with housing costs, council tax and other support.
How much you could get
Pension Credit tops income up to a minimum guarantee. Extra amounts can apply. Use the official GOV.UK calculator rather than treating the guarantee as what everyone gets.
Figures below are for the 2026/27 tax year.
- Guarantee Credit — single: £238.00 a week
- Guarantee Credit — couple: £363.25 a week
Check the current amount on the official page.
Who can claim
You usually need to have reached State Pension age and have income and savings below the Pension Credit threshold. Even a small amount of extra income can open other help.
Eligibility conditions
These are the structured conditions Benefit Badger uses in the eligibility check. They are a guide, not a decision.
- You live in the UK.
- You have reached State Pension age.
Check if Pension Credit may apply to you
It usually takes about 5 minutes. You do not need to create an account. This is guidance, not a government decision.
When it may not apply
You are unlikely to get Pension Credit if you are under State Pension age or if your income and savings are above the threshold. Always check because the rules are not always obvious.
Where you live
Pension Credit is available UK-wide, but the claim route can still differ across nations.
Browse benefits in England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, or the A–Z list.
Does Pension Credit affect other help?
Pension Credit is often the key that opens other support: help with council tax or rates, Housing Benefit if you still qualify, the Warm Home Discount in some winters, and in some years Winter Fuel Payment. A small Pension Credit award can therefore be worth more than the cash figure suggests.
If you have a partner under State Pension age, Universal Credit rules for mixed-age couples may apply instead of Pension Credit. Check GOV.UK for the couple rules before you assume Pension Credit is the right claim.
How to claim
- Use the GOV.UK Pension Credit calculator first. The amount is the gap between your income and a minimum guarantee. A small top-up can still unlock other help, so it is worth checking even if you expect to be over the line. Official page
- Claim online, by post, or through the official GOV.UK route. You do not need a paid adviser. The how-to-claim page lists the current application options. Official page
- Have State Pension and other income figures ready. Occupational pensions, earnings, savings and housing costs all feed the calculation. The official checklist is the one to follow.
- Backdating can apply — check the rules on GOV.UK. You may be able to get Pension Credit backdated. Time limits change; use the government page rather than assuming a period.
Official sources
- Pension Credit — GOV.UK (primary source)
Related benefits
See all pension age benefits.
What else you might claim
Source: Department for Work and Pensions. This page is guidance from an independent service, not a government decision. Only the relevant government department can confirm eligibility and make a payment.
Check if this may apply to you
It usually takes about 5 minutes. You do not need to create an account. This is guidance, not a government decision.