The DWP will top up Pension Credit with additional amounts for pensioners with severe disabilities (Image: Getty)
State pensioners with a severe disability can get up to £344.20 extra per week with one claim to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
Low income pensioners can get weekly top-up payments to help with living costs by claiming Pension Credit, and in cases where someone has a severe disability, extra cash will be awarded on top. The standard minimum guarantee for Pension Credit rose by 4.8% at the start of the new tax year on April 6, taking the single weekly rate from £227.10 per week to £238, while the joint weekly rate rose from £346.60 per week to £363.25.
But to give extra support to those with disabilities, the DWP will pay extra cash on top of the standard rate and this payment amount also increased this month.
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Under the new April rates, pensioners with a severe disability can now get up to £86.05 extra per week, up from £82.90.
As Pension Credit is usually paid every four weeks, it means pensioners can get up to £344.20 extra in additional payments from the DWP every four weeks, on top of Pension Credit, if they’re eligible for the full amount.
The £86.05 weekly rate applies to single pensioners, or couples where one person qualifies and over a full year, it amounts to £4,474.60 additional payments from the DWP, on top of Pension Credit.
The DWP says pensioners could get the additional payment if they get any of the following benefits:
- Attendance Allowance
- the middle or highest rate from the care component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
- the daily living component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- Armed Forces Independence Payment
- the daily living component of Adult Disability Payment
- Pension Age Disability Payment
- the middle or highest rate of the care component of Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance
Not only can pensioners get this extra amount if they have a disability, Pension Credit also opens the door to a wealth of other financial support.
This includes Housing Benefit, a Winter Fuel Payment worth up to £300, a Council Tax discount, a free TV licence if you’re aged 75 or over, £150 off winter energy bills through the Warm Home Discount Scheme, and help with NHS dental treatment, glasses and transport costs.
Commenting on the April uplift earlier this month, the DWP said: “Pension Credit will also rise by 4.8% and be worth an average of £4,300 a year, unlocking further support including help with housing costs, council tax and free television licenses. Between 2026 and 2027, the government will provide a £6 billion boost to spending on State Pensions and pensioner benefits.”
To qualify for Pension Credit you must have reached State Pension age and live in England, Scotland or Wales.
You can apply for it up to four months before reaching State Pension age or any time after, but your application can only be backdated by three months. This means you can get up to three months of Pension Credit in your first payment if you were eligible during that time.
You can use the government’s online Pension Credit calculator to get an estimate of how much you could get and can contact the Pension Service helpline on 0800 99 1234 to check if you’re eligible for extra amounts.
