Pension Credit gives you extra money to help with living costs if you're over State Pension age and on a low income. It tops up your weekly income to 238 pounds if you're single, or your joint weekly income to 363 pounds 25 if you have a partner, and you can get it even if you have savings or own your home, as of Nov 2026.
Pension Credit is separate from your State Pension, and plenty of people who could get it assume they can't because they own their home or have some savings. GOV.UK is clear that neither rules you out. Here's who qualifies, what each part pays, how savings are counted and the extra help that comes with it, in England, Scotland and Wales.
Who can claim Pension Credit
You must live in England, Scotland or Wales and have reached State Pension age to qualify. Northern Ireland has its own Pension Credit scheme. If you have a partner, you must include them on your application, and you'll be eligible if either you've both reached State Pension age, or one of you is getting Housing Benefit for people over State Pension age.
If you're from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein, GOV.UK says you and your family usually also need settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme. You can check your own State Pension age, and your Pension Credit qualifying age, with GOV.UK's State Pension age checker.
What Pension Credit pays
| Part or extra amount | Who it's for | Weekly amount |
|---|---|---|
| Guarantee Credit top-up, single | Your weekly income is topped up to this level | 238 pounds |
| Guarantee Credit top-up, couple | Your joint weekly income is topped up to this level | 363 pounds 25 |
| Severe disability | You get Attendance Allowance, the daily living part of PIP, the middle or highest DLA care rate, or a listed equivalent | Up to 86 pounds 05 extra |
| Caring for another adult | You get Carer's Allowance or Carer Support Payment, or claimed it but get a higher benefit instead | Up to 48 pounds 15 extra |
| Each child or young person | Someone you're responsible for who lives with you | 69 pounds 98 extra |
| First child born before 6 April of 2017 | Replaces the standard child amount | 81 pounds 07 |
| Disabled child, lower rates | Lowest or middle DLA care rate, any mobility rate, or standard PIP daily living | 37 pounds 93 extra |
| Disabled child, higher rates | Highest DLA care rate or enhanced PIP daily living, or the listed equivalents | 118 pounds 46 extra |
| Savings Credit, single | You reached State Pension age before 6 April of 2016 and saved for retirement | Up to 17 pounds 96 |
| Savings Credit, couple | As above, with a partner | Up to 20 pounds 10 |
GOV.UK calls the top-up and the extra amounts 'Guarantee Credit'. The child amounts carry on until the 31 August after the child's 16th birthday, or their 19th birthday if they're in eligible education or training of more than 12 hours a week on average. You might also get an extra amount for housing costs such as ground rent on a leasehold, some service charges, and charges for tents and site rents.
Owning your home or having savings won't rule you out
This is the part most people get wrong. GOV.UK says you can get Pension Credit even if you have other income, savings or own your own home. Savings and investments of up to 10,000 won't affect your Pension Credit at all. Above that, every 500 over 10,000 counts as 1 pound of income a week, so GOV.UK's own example of 11,000 in savings counts as 2 pounds of income a week.
Even if your income is above the top-up level, GOV.UK says you might still be eligible if you have a disability, you care for someone, you have savings or you have housing costs. Your income includes your State Pension, other pensions, earnings from employment and self-employment, and most social security benefits. Several aren't counted, including Attendance Allowance, Child Benefit, the Christmas Bonus, Disability Living Allowance, Housing Benefit, Personal Independence Payment and social fund payments like the Winter Fuel Payment.
One warning on deferring: if you've put off claiming a pension, the amount you'd expect to get still counts as income, and you can't build up extra amounts for deferring your State Pension while you or your partner get Pension Credit.
The extra help that comes with it
Pension Credit often matters as much for what it opens up as for the weekly top-up. If you get it, GOV.UK says you'll automatically get Cold Weather Payments, and you can also get other help, 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 Reduction
- A free TV licence if you're aged 75 or over
- Help with NHS costs, such as prescriptions, dental treatment, glasses and transport for hospital appointments, if you get the Guarantee Credit part
- Help with heating costs through the Warm Home Discount Scheme
- A discount on the Royal Mail redirection service if you're moving house
If you or someone you care for lives alone, this guide to medical alert systems is worth a look alongside the financial help.
Trips abroad and getting help with a claim
You can keep getting Pension Credit if you're away from Great Britain for 4 weeks or less, as long as you stay eligible and tell the Pension Service helpline you're going. You can't apply while you're already outside Great Britain, and you can't get it if you're moving away permanently. Leaving for medical treatment or approved convalescence can extend it for up to 26 weeks.
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If you're not sure whether you're eligible for extra amounts, contact the Pension Service helpline on 0800 99 1234, Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm. Payments usually go into an account, such as a bank account. For income ideas beyond benefits, these freelance writing jobs for retirees are one place to start.
My advice on Pension Credit
If you're over State Pension age and money is tight, check before you rule yourself out. Owning your home, having some savings or getting a small pension doesn't stop you, and it opens up extra help, from Council Tax Reduction to Cold Weather Payments. Start with GOV.UK's Pension Credit guide, then call the Pension Service helpline if anything's unclear.
Frequently asked questions
What is Pension Credit?
It's extra money to help with your living costs if you're over State Pension age and on a low income. It's separate from your State Pension.
How much is Pension Credit?
As of Nov 2026, it tops up your weekly income to 238 pounds if you're single, or your joint weekly income to 363 pounds 25 with a partner. Extra amounts can be added for disability, caring, children and housing costs.
Can I get Pension Credit if I own my home?
Yes. GOV.UK says you can get Pension Credit even if you have other income, savings or own your own home.
Do savings stop me getting Pension Credit?
Savings and investments of up to 10,000 don't affect it. Above that, every 500 over 10,000 counts as 1 pound of income a week.
What is Savings Credit?
It's the part of Pension Credit for people who reached State Pension age before 6 April of 2016 and saved for retirement. It pays up to 17 pounds 96 a week if you're single, or up to 20 pounds 10 with a partner.
What other help comes with Pension Credit?
You'll automatically get Cold Weather Payments, and you can get help such as Housing Benefit, Council Tax Reduction, a free TV licence if you're 75 or over, and help with NHS costs if you get the Guarantee Credit part.
