Pension Credit
If you have reached State Pension age and you have a low income, you can claim Pension Credit.
What is State Pension?
State Pension is a regular payment you can get from the government when you reach a certain age.
The age you get State Pension depends on when you were born. The State Pension age is increasing in stages.
What is Pension Credit?
Pension Credit is a benefit for people who have reached State Pension age and have a low income. Pension Credit is separate from your State Pension. You can claim it even if you are still working. Pension Credit is not taxed.
Pension Credit is made up of 2 different parts:
- Guarantee Credit is a payment to top up your weekly income if it is assessed as being low.
- Savings Credit is a weekly payment for people who saved some money towards their retirement other than State Pension. For example, you may have savings or a pension scheme.
Savings Credit is only for people who reached State Pension age before 6 April 2016. If you reached State Pension age on or after 6 April 2016, you will not be able to get the Savings Credit part of Pension Credit.
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How much is Pension Credit?
You can find out the current level of Pension Credit at GOV.UK. There is also a Pension Credit calculator you can use. You may be able to get more Pension Credit if any of the following apply:
- you are a carer
- you are severely Disabled.
- you are responsible for a child or young person. This means a child aged under 16. But in some cases, it could mean a young person aged under 20 who is in full-time education or doing certain training.
- you have certain housing costs, such as service charges.
These extra payments may be affected if you go into hospital or care home. But this depends on how long you stay. It is important to tell the Pension Service about any changes in your situation.
If you get Pension Credit, you may also be eligible for council tax reduction, Housing Benefit or support with mortgage interest.
We have more information about getting help with housing costs.
If you need to travel
You can continue to get Pension Credit in England, Scotland and Wales if you leave the country for less than 4 weeks – for example, if you go on holiday. You must contact the Pension Service helpline to let them know you are travelling. Call them on 0800 731 0469 or use textphone 0800 169 0133. Or you can send them a letter – the address is on the letters you get about your Pension Credit.
You can continue to get Pension Credit in England, Scotland and Wales for up to 26 weeks if:
- you have left the country for medical treatment
- you have left the country for a period of recovery that has been approved by a medical professional – this is called approved convalescence
- your partner or child is leaving the country for medical treatment or approved convalescence, and you are going with them.
For more information, visit GOV.UK.
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Who can get Pension Credit?
When you apply for Pension Credit, your income and any savings and investments you have will be assessed. Income includes money from your State Pension, other pensions and earnings through employment.
Some benefits are not counted as income, including:
- Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
- the daily living part of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Adult Disability Payment (ADP)
- Attendance Allowance (AA) or Pension Age Disability Payment.
If you have a partner, you must include them in your application. A partner is either:
- your husband, wife or civil partner – if you live with them
- someone you live with as a couple, without being married or in a civil partnership.
To claim, either:
- you and your partner both need to have reached State Pension age
- 1 of you must have reached pension age on or before 14 September 2019 and have been claiming Housing Benefit for both of you continuously since that date.
You can find out what counts as income and whether you are eligible for Pension Credit at GOV.UK.
For more information, or to find out the exact date when you can get State Pension and Pension Credit, visit GOV.UK or call 0808 808 00 00 to speak to a Macmillan money adviser.
How to apply for Pension Credit
If you live in England, Scotland or Wales, you can call the Pension Credit claim line on 0800 99 1234 or use textphone 0800 169 0133. You can also claim online at GOV.UK or get a claim form from your local Citizens Advice.
If you live in Northern Ireland, call 0808 100 6165 or use textphone 0808 100 2198. You can also apply online or download a claim form from nidirect.gov.uk.
Help with other costs
You may also be able to get help with other costs if you are eligible for Pension Credit. This might include:
- help with NHS costs such as prescriptions, dental treatment, and glasses
- help towards travel costs
- help with winter energy costs.
About our information
This information has been written, revised and edited by Macmillan Cancer Support’s Cancer Information Development team. It has been reviewed by expert medical and health professionals and people living with cancer.
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References
Below is a sample of the sources used in our benefits information. If you would like more information about the sources we use, please contact us at informationproductionteam@macmillan.org.uk
GOV.UK www.gov.uk [accessed May 2025].
NI Direct www.nidirect.gov.uk [accessed May 2025].
Social Security Scotland www.socialsecurity.gov.scot [accessed May 2025].
Macmillan Welfare Rights Team
Reviewer
Date reviewed
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