How much Pension Credit could I get?

For people over state pension age on a low income.

Applies to: England, Scotland, Wales Last checked against official sources: 6 October 2026

Pension Credit tops up weekly income to £238 if single or £363.25 for couples. You may get extra:

£86.05 a week for a severe disability
£48.15 a week if you're a carer
£69.98 a week per child (£81.07 for a first child born before 6 April 2017)
help with some housing costs

It also unlocks other help, like Cold Weather Payments, a free TV licence at 75+ and help with NHS costs.

Different in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland

Rules may be different in:

Northern Ireland: Check nidirect for Northern Ireland

Key facts

Tops up to £238 single
Extra for disability, caring, children
Unlocks other help

Pension Credit rates for 2026/27

These are weekly amounts for the tax year 6 April 2026 to 5 April 2027.

Part	2025/26	2026/27
Guarantee Credit: single	£227.10	£238.00
Guarantee Credit: couple	£346.60	£363.25
Severe disability: single, or couple where one qualifies	£82.90	£86.05
Severe disability: couple where both qualify	£165.80	£172.10
Carer	£46.40	£48.15
First child born before 6 April 2017	£78.10	£81.07
Each other child	£67.42	£69.98
Disabled child: lower rate	£36.54	£37.93
Disabled child: higher rate	£114.12	£118.46
Savings Credit maximum: single	£17.30	£17.96
Savings Credit maximum: couple	£19.36	£20.10

The Guarantee Credit figure is not a fixed payment. It is the level your weekly income is topped up to. You get the difference between your income and that level.

Who gets the extra amounts

Severe disability: if you get Attendance Allowance, the middle or highest rate of the Disability Living Allowance care part, the daily living part of PIP, or a similar payment.
Carer: if you get Carer's Allowance or Carer Support Payment, or you claimed it but it is not paid because you get a higher benefit.
Children: paid for each child or young person until 31 August after they turn 16, or 19 if they are in approved education for more than 12 hours a week.
Disabled child: the higher rate is linked to the highest rate of the care part of a child's disability benefit.
Housing costs: extra help with things like ground rent, service charges and site rent. You may also be offered Support for Mortgage Interest (a loan) if you own your home.
Savings Credit: only if you reached State Pension age before 6 April 2016 and have some retirement income or savings.

How savings change your award

The first £10,000 of savings and investments does not count. Above that, every £500 counts as £1 a week of income. If you deferred your State Pension, the State Pension you would get still counts as income.

Worked example 1: single person

Maria is single. Her only income is £200 a week State Pension. She has £8,000 in savings, so they do not count.

Guarantee level: £238.00
Minus her income: £200.00
Pension Credit: £38.00 a week, about £152 every 4 weeks or £1,976 a year.

Worked example 2: couple with savings

Ken and Jo have £320 a week income between them and £12,000 in savings. The £2,000 above £10,000 counts as £4 a week (2,000 divided by 500).

Income counted: £320 + £4 = £324.00
Guarantee level for a couple: £363.25
Pension Credit: £39.25 a week, about £157 every 4 weeks or £2,041 a year.

Even a small award is worth claiming, because it opens the door to other help.

What Pension Credit unlocks

Cold Weather Payments (Winter Heating Payment in Scotland).
A free TV licence if you are 75 or over.
Help with NHS dental treatment, glasses and travel costs for hospital visits.
Council Tax Reduction and, if you rent, Housing Benefit.

If you live in Northern Ireland

The GOV.UK rules above are for people living in England, Scotland or Wales. Northern Ireland runs its own system.

Related guides

Where these figures come from

Rates usually change every April.

Get it done

This takes you to the official service, which is free to use.

Use the calculator

Common questions

Who can get Pension Credit?

You must live in England, Scotland or Wales and have reached State Pension age. If you have a partner, you both usually need to have reached State Pension age.

How do savings affect Pension Credit?

The first £10,000 of savings does not affect it, and every £500 over £10,000 counts as £1 a week of income.

Can Pension Credit be backdated?

Yes, your claim can be backdated by up to 3 months if you were eligible during that time.

How do I claim Pension Credit?

Apply online, by post, or call the Pension Credit claim line on 0800 99 1234, Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm.

Official sources

1.Pension Credit: what you'll getwww.gov.uk/pension-credit/what-youll-get
2.Pension Credit: eligibilitywww.gov.uk/pension-credit/eligibility
3.Pension Credit: how to claimwww.gov.uk/pension-credit/how-to-claim

Checked against GOV.UK on 6 October 2026

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