The Pension Credit standard minimum guarantee is now worth £238 per week (Image: Getty)
State pensioners on low incomes can get monthly payments of up to £1,031,33 from April thanks to a 4.8% boost from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
People of State Pension age in England, Scotland and Wales on a low income can get extra monthly cash to help with living costs by claiming Pension Credit from the DWP. The benefit is paid separately to the State Pension and you can claim it even if you have other income, savings or you own your own home. In line with the State Pension, Pension Credit also increased by 4.8% at the start of the new tax year on April 6 and is now worth £4,300 per year on average, according to the DWP.
The uplift means the Pension Credit standard minimum guarantee is now worth £238 per week, up from £227.10, for single claimants.
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As Pension Credit is usually paid every four weeks, low income pensioners can get up to £1,031.33 per month on average if they’re eligible for the full amount.
This is up from an average of £948.10 per month under the previous rates, giving pensioners an extra monthly cash boost of up to £83.23.
Over a full year, pensioners can get a maximum of £12,376 in Pension Credit payments, up from £11,809.20 previously, giving claimants up to £566.80 extra cash annually.
But it’s not just a 4.8% uplift that claimants will benefit from as Pension Credit also unlocks access to wealth of other financial support including housing costs, a Council Tax reduction, free TV licences and help with NHS treatment costs, among others.
Confirming the State Pension and Pension credit increases from April, the DWP said: “The government has already delivered above-inflation increases worth up to £395 in real terms over this Parliament. By its end, pensioners’ annual incomes are expected to rise by up to £2,100 – boosting financial security for millions.
“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.”
The DWP launched a trial at the end of last year in a bid to boost Pension Credit take up after analysis showed large regional disparities, with uptake lowest in the South West.
At the time, Minister for Pensions Torsten Bell said: “We’re committed to supporting harder-up pensioners however we can. Pension Credit is a simple way to give those who need it the most some extra support with bills or a free TV licence.
“I’d urge anyone who thinks they, or anyone they know, might be able to claim Pension Credit, to take a few minutes out of their day to check and apply. This country’s pensioners deserve every penny they are entitled to.”
To be eligible for Pension Credit, you must live in England, Scotland or Wales and have reached State Pension age. When you apply for the benefit your income is calculated and this includes your State Pension, other pensions, earnings from employment and self-employment and most social security benefits.
You can use the DWP’s Pension Credit calculator to get an estimate of how much you could get and you can start your application up to four months before you reach State Pension age.
You can apply any time after you reach State Pension age but your application can only be backdated by three months, so you’ll get up to three months of Pension Credit in your first payment if you were eligible during that time.
