State Pension age benefits

There are two types of Pension Credit:

1. Guaranteed Pension Credit

This tops up your income to:

• £227.10 for a single person
• £346.60 for a couple

It’s income-based, but other factors can increase the amount so check eligibility.

Qualifying can also give you access to:

• Housing Benefit
• Council Tax reduction
• Warm Home Discount
• Free TV licence if you're over 75
• Help with NHS dental, glasses, and hospital travel

Even a small amount can reduce costs and boost disposable income.

2. Savings Pension Credit

If you reached State Pension age before 6 April 2016 and have savings or a private pension, you could get:

• £17.01 per week for a single person
• £19.04 per week for a couple

Check your State Pension age online as it varies by gender and birth year.

Changes to couples’ benefits

If you and your partner have different State Pension ages, then it's a good idea seek advice on what the best benefits are for you. Rules changed on 15 May 2019, so eligibility may differ.

Universal Credit is a benefit for working-age people on a low income, including mixed-age couples. It combines several benefits into one monthly payment (or two in Scotland).

If you’re a mixed-age couple, get professional advice before applying as you could end up worse off. Universal Credit is rarely backdated, so seek help immediately.

Find out more about Universal Credit.

Discretionary Housing Payment is an extra payment towards rent from your local council. Rules vary, but you may qualify if you’re under-occupying your home. Payments are temporary (usually 3 to 18 months) to help cover rent shortfalls.

Mixed-age couples receiving reduced Housing Benefit or the Housing Element of Universal Credit may also benefit.

Contact your Local Authority to apply.

Disabled people can apply for these benefits:

• DLA for children under 16
• PIP for ages 16 to State Pension age (for physical, mental health, or learning disabilities)

We recommend getting support from a Social Worker, CPN, or local agency when applying. Request a form immediately as claims can be backdated if returned on time. 

Ask for a form by calling 0800 917 2222

You can claim alongside other benefits or on its own, as it’s not means-tested. It is only available for working-age people. Pension age people should check Attendance Allowance.

Attendance Allowance helps with extra costs if you have a disability and need care. You don’t need to be receiving help, just have the need for it.

It’s not income-based, so you may qualify regardless of earnings or savings.

Learn more:

• Attendance Allowance - eligibility criteria
• Attendance Allowance - how to claim

Unlike other disability benefits, Attendance Allowance has no mobility component. If you claim PIP or DLA, switching to Attendance Allowance will stop those benefits, so get professional advice before applying.

You can claim Carer’s Allowance if:

• You care for someone 35+ hours a week
• They receive a qualifying disability benefit
• You’re over 16 and not in full-time education
• You earn £151/week or less (after deductions)

You can claim Attendance Allowance for yourself and Carer’s Allowance for someone else. But if you claim Attendance Allowance for yourself, you can't claim someone else's Carer’s Allowance for caring for you.

Visit the Carer's UK website for more information.

This is separate from Universal Credit and must be claimed directly from your local council. It's best to apply quickly as most councils only backdate for one month in exceptional cases.

You may also qualify for:

• Single-person discount (if you live alone)
• Maximum reduction if you or someone in your home claims Pension Credit
• Extra reductions if you’re a carer or have dementia

Rules vary by council, so check your local authority’s policy.

To make a claim contact your Local Authority.

The warm home discount provides a £150 grant paid directly to your energy supplier to help with winter bills.

Each supplier has different application windows, some as short as 6 days, so check when yours opens and which suppliers are part of the scheme.

To qualify, you must have been receiving certain benefits on 11 August 2024. You can check your eligibility online

This payment does not affect other benefits.

If you were born before 23 September 1958 and receive one of these benefits, you may get extra help with energy bills with the Winter Fuel Payment:

• Pension Credit
• Universal Credit
• Income Support
• Income-based jobseeker’s allowance
• Income-related employment and support allowance

Payments are:

• £200 (basic)
• £300 (if someone in the household is over 80)

Not available if you live in Scotland. You can check your eligibility online.

Cold Weather Payments are made in England if you receive certain means-tested benefits (e.g., Pension Credit, Universal Credit). You may get £25 for every 7 days of very cold weather in your area between November and March.

Payments are automatic and usually made within 14 days. They don’t affect other benefits.

If you don’t receive a payment:

Check if the weather met the criteria
Challenge the decision using the government’s guidance

In Scotland, you’ll get a Winter Heating Payment of £58.75 if you're eligible, regardless of weather conditions.

Apart from Warm Home Discount, Winter Fuel Payment, Winter Heating Payment (Scotland), and Cold Weather Payments, there are no direct benefits for fuel costs.

To reduce bills, you can use our energy-saving tips

Price comparison sites (e.g., U-Switch, Compare the Market) usually help, but due to the Energy Price Cap, there are no cheaper deals right now. However, our Financial Inclusion Team can refer you to:

England – Connect For Help
Scotland – Home Energy Scotland

Using a pre-payment meter can help with budgeting. 

If you’re in arrears, some energy companies offer grants. Contact our financial inclusion team for support with energy debt.

FAQs