Am I entitled to Pension Credit?

Check if you can get Pension Credit

Pension Credit is a weekly benefit to boost your income. It’s based on how much money you have coming in.

There are two parts to Pension Credit, called Guarantee Credit and Savings Credit. You might get one or both parts.

Guarantee Credit tops up your weekly income to a minimum amount.

Savings Credit is a small top-up for people who have a modest amount of income or savings. It’s only available if you reached State Pension age before 6 April 2016.

 

Working out if you're eligible for Guarantee Credit

To claim Pension Credit you must:

• have reached State Pension age - check your State Pension age on GOV.UK
• not have too much income or savings
• live in the UK

You can still be working, as long as your income isn't too high. 

Unlike the State Pension, you don’t need a national insurance record.

 

If you’re not a UK citizen

The rules depend on whether you're a citizen of a country in the EU, EEA or Switzerland.

The EEA includes EU countries and Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. Check which countries are in the EU and EEA on GOV.UK.

 

If you're a citizen of a country in the EU, EEA or Switzerland

To apply for Pension Credit you’ll need evidence to show:

• you have settled status or a right to claim benefits in the UK - this is called a ‘right to reside’
• the UK, Ireland, Channel Islands or Isle of Man is your main home and you plan to stay - this is known as being ‘habitually resident’
• Your right to reside depends on things like your work, family and personal situation. You can check if you have a right to reside.
• You can only claim Pension Credit if you have:
• British citizenship and can prove you are ‘habitually resident’
• pre-settled status from the EU Settlement Scheme and another right to reside
• indefinite leave to remain or settled status from the EU Settlement Scheme

If none of these apply to you, you might be able to make a late application to the EU Settlement Scheme. You’ll need to have a good reason for missing the deadline of 30 June 2021. Find out more about claiming benefits if you’re from the EU.

 

If you're a citizen of a country outside the EU, EEA or Switzerland

You can’t apply for Pension Credit if you’re subject to immigration control.

You’ll also need to meet or be exempt from the ‘habitual residence test’.

 

 

If you're a returning UK resident

You’ll need to give evidence to show the UK, Ireland, Channel Islands or Isle of Man is your main home and you plan to stay. This is known as being ‘habitually resident’.

Check how to prove you’re habitually resident.

 

If you're over State Pension age but your partner isn't

If you’re already getting Pension Credit, you’ll keep getting it unless your circumstances change.

You can’t usually make a new claim for Pension Credit.

You can still make a new claim for Pension Credit if both of the following apply:

• you reached State Pension age before 15 May 2019
• you’ve been claiming Housing Benefit since before 15 May 2019

Otherwise you’ll usually need to claim Universal Credit instead - check if you're eligible for Universal Credit.

 

Working out your income and savings

It’s a good idea to gather everything you can about your weekly income before applying.

Common forms of income are:

• money from a private pension
• money you get from the State Pension
• most earnings from an employer or from being self-employed - your earnings will be worked out as an average if they go up and down over the year
• benefits such as JSA or ESA  
• You’ll also need to consider what savings and investments you have. This could include:
• property you own except the home you live in
• shares and other investments
• money held in bank or savings accounts

Any savings or investments over £10,000 will affect the amount of Pension Credit you get. You’ll be treated as having £1 per week of income for every £500 above £10,000.

If your weekly income is below £182.60 then Guarantee Credit will top you up to that amount.

If you’re claiming as a couple and your income is below £278.70 it will be topped up to that amount.

If you’re claiming as a couple you’ll need the same information about your partner’s income.

Your income can be higher than £182.60 or £278.70 if you qualify for extra amounts such as the severe disability or carer’s addition. Your income can also be higher if you’re paying a mortgage.

 

Check if you can get additional amounts

You might be able to get extra money if you get other benefits or you’re responsible for a child.

If you get other benefits, such as Carer's Allowance, Disability Living Allowance, Personal Independence Payment or Attendance Allowance, your weekly Guarantee Credit amount can go over the minimum income threshold of £182.60.

If you’re eligible you can receive an extra amount for severe disability of £69.40 a week. Check if you’re eligible for the severe disability addition on GOV.UK.

The extra amount if you’re a carer is £38.85. You’ll get this if you or your partner receive Carer’s Allowance or have claimed for it and meet its conditions. Check if you’re eligible for the carer’s addition on GOV.UK.  

You’ll need to have details of any benefits you receive if you use the Pension Credit calculator on GOV.UK.

If you’re responsible for a child you can get an extra amount for them, as long as you’re not already getting child tax credits. You might also be able to claim child benefit.

 

Check if you can get Savings Credit

Savings Credit is the second part of Pension Credit. It’s only available if you reached State Pension age before 6 April 2016.

The amount you can get depends on whether you meet the ‘savings credit threshold.’ You must have a weekly income of at least £158.47 a week if you’re single or £251.70 a week if you’re claiming as a couple.

The income rules are different to Guarantee Credit.

Don’t count any income you get from:

• working tax credits
• incapacity benefit
• contributory ESA
• contributory JSA
• severe disablement allowance
• maternity allowance
• maintenance payments 

The most you can get from Savings Credit is £14.48 a week if you’re single or £16.20 if you’re claiming as a couple.

 

Other help if you get Pension Credit

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

• Housing Benefit if you rent the property you live in
• Support for Mortgage Interest if you own the property you live in
• a free TV licence if you’re aged 75 or over
• help with NHS dental treatment, glasses and transport costs for hospital appointments
• help with your heating costs