The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has recently confirmed that nearly 78 per cent of all new Pension Credit claims are processed - from initial application to award decision letter - within the target timeframe of 50 working days (10 weeks). This means older people on a low income submitting a new claim at the start of this month, particularly those living alone, could receive their first payment and any arrears by mid-July.

Despite the full New State Pension now worth £241.30 per week and the full Basic State Pension worth £184.90, data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reveals that in 2021, some 3.3 million people aged 65 years and over were living alone in England and Wales.

It is vital that all older people - whether single, married or cohabiting - ensure they are claiming every penny of additional financial support they are entitled to in the new financial year, helping to bolster their income and counteract the continuing impact of the elevated cost of living.

Pension Credit remains the most under-claimed benefit and is specifically designed to provide extra financial assistance for older people on a low income - both singles and couples.

Nearly 1.4 million older people across Great Britain are currently receiving the means-tested benefit, which could deliver over £4,300 in additional support throughout the coming year.

Many older people mistakenly believe that having savings or owning their home would disqualify them from this means-tested benefit, which can also unlock assistance with housing costs, heating bills and Council Tax.

An award of as little as £1 per week is sufficient to open the door to additional support, reports the Daily Record.

Below is an overview of the benefit, including who should check eligibility, how to go about it, how much you could get and where to get help filling in the form.

Who can claim Pension Credit?

There are two types of Pension Credit - Guarantee Credit and Savings Credit.

To qualify for Guarantee Pension Credit, you must be State Pension age. Your weekly income will need to be less than the minimum amount the UK Government says you need to live on.

This is £238.00 for a single person and £3636.25 for a couple - this amount could be higher if you're disabled, a carer or have certain housing costs.

How much could you receive from DWP?

Guarantee Credit tops up your weekly income to:

• £238.00 for a single person


• £363.25 for a couple (married, in a civil partnership or cohabiting)

You might be able to get more than this if you're disabled or a carer, or you have certain housing costs.

Savings Credit can give you up to:

• £17.96 a week for a single person


• £20.00 a week for a couple (married, in a civil partnership or cohabiting).

The precise sum you'll receive depends on your income and savings. Your income includes assumed income from savings and capital over £10,000.

How to check eligibility for Pension Credit

Older people, or friends and family, can swiftly verify their eligibility and obtain an estimate of what they may receive by using the online Pension Credit calculator on GOV.UK here. Alternatively, pensioners can contact the Pension Credit helpline directly to submit a claim on 0800 99 1234 - lines are open 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday.

Expert help and advice is also available from:

Older people, or their friends and family, can swiftly check eligibility and obtain an estimate of potential payments by using the online Pension Credit calculator on GOV.UK here. Alternatively, pensioners can contact the Pension Credit helpline directly to make a claim on 0800 99 1234 - lines are open 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday.

Expert help and advice is also available from:

• Independent Age


• Income Max


• Citizens Advice


• Age UK

More details about claiming Pension Credit can be found on GOV.UK here.

Pension Credit - common myths

"I have savings so I won't qualify."

• Savings over £10,000 are taken into account, but many people with modest savings still qualify.

"I own my home so I'm not eligible."

• Home ownership does not automatically disqualify you.

"I have a small private pension so I'll be refused."

• Pension Credit tops up income - even small occupational pensions can still leave you eligible.

"The amount would be too small to bother."

• Even a small award can unlock help with housing costs, council tax and energy bills.

"It's too complicated to apply."

• Claims can be made online or by phone through the Department for Work and Pensions.

Other help if you get Pension Credit

Should you qualify for Pension Credit, you may also be entitled to further assistance, such as:

• Housing Benefit if you rent the property you live in


• Support for Mortgage Interest if you own the property you live in


• Council Tax discount


• Free TV licence if you are aged 75 or over


• Help with NHS dental treatment, glasses and transport costs for hospital appointments


• Help with your heating costs through the Warm Home Discount Scheme


• A discount on the Royal Mail redirection service if you are moving house

Mixed age older couples and Pension Credit

In May 2019, legislation was amended so that a 'mixed age couple' - whereby one partner has reached State Pension age while the other hasn't - are regarded as a 'working age' couple when assessing entitlement to means-tested benefits.

Consequently, neither partner can claim Pension Credit or pension age Housing Benefit until both have reached State Pension age. Prior to this DWP amendment, a mixed age couple could be eligible to claim the more generous State Pension age benefits as soon as just one of them reached State Pension age.

How to use the Pension Credit calculator

To use the calculator on GOV.UK, you will need details of:

• earnings, benefits and pensions


• savings and investments

You'll also need the same information for your partner if applicable. You will then be presented with a series of questions featuring multiple choice answers.

This includes:

• Your date of birth


• Your residential status


• Where in the UK you live


• Whether you are registered blind


• Which benefits you currently receive


• How much you receive each week for any benefits you get


• Whether someone is paid Carer's Allowance to look after you


• How much you get each week from pensions - State Pension, private and work pensions


• Any employment earnings


• Any savings, investments or bonds you have

Once you've responded to the questions, a summary screen displays your answers, giving you the opportunity to review and amend them before submitting. The Pension Credit calculator then reveals how much benefit you could potentially receive each week.

All that remains is to follow the link to the application page to discover precisely what you'll receive from the DWP, including access to additional financial assistance.

There's also the option to print your answers from the calculator tool, helping you complete the application form more swiftly without needing to locate the same details again. Try the Pension Credit Calculator yourself, or on behalf of a family member, to ensure you're receiving all the financial support you're entitled to.

Who is unable to use the Pension Credit calculator?

You cannot use the calculator if you or your partner:

• are deferring your State Pension


• own more than one property


• are self employed


• have housing costs (such as service charges or Crown Tenant rent) which are neither mortgage repayments nor rent covered by Housing Benefit

How to apply

You can begin your application up to four months before reaching State Pension age. You can apply at any point after reaching State Pension age, however your claim can only be backdated by three months.

This means you could receive up to three months of Pension Credit in your initial payment if you were eligible throughout that period.

You will need:

• your National Insurance number


• information about your income, savings and investments


• your bank account details, if you're applying by phone or by post

If you're backdating your claim, you'll need details of your income, savings and investments on the date you want your claim to start.

Apply online

You can use the online service if:

• you have already claimed your State Pension


• there are no children or young people included in your claim

To check your entitlement, phone the Pension Credit helpline on 0800 99 1234 or use the GOV.UK Pension Credit calculator here to find out how much you could get.