Can I get Pension Credit?

For people who have reached State Pension age and live in England, Scotland or Wales.

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

You must live in England, Scotland or Wales and have reached State Pension age. Pension Credit tops up your weekly income to £238 if you're single, or £363.25 as a couple.

You might still qualify with higher income if you're disabled, a carer, or have savings or housing costs.
Savings of £10,000 or less don't affect it.
Couples must apply together.
Northern Ireland has its own scheme.

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 a week (single)
£363.25 for couples
Savings up to £10,000 ignored

Pension Credit amounts for 2026/27

Pension Credit tops up your weekly income to a guaranteed minimum.

Household	Your income is topped up to
Single	£238.00 a week
Couple	£363.25 a week

Extra amounts can be added if you are severely disabled (£86.05 a week), care for someone (£48.15 a week) or are responsible for a child.

Who can get it

You may be able to get Pension Credit if:

you have reached State Pension age (if you have a partner, you both normally need to have reached it, unless you already get Housing Benefit for pensioners)
you live in England, Scotland or Wales (Northern Ireland has its own Pension Credit scheme)
your weekly income is below the levels above, or below the higher levels that apply with the extra amounts

Even if your income is a little over these levels, check anyway. Extra amounts for disability, caring or housing costs can mean you still qualify.

Savings: there is no upper limit

The first £10,000 of savings is ignored.
Above £10,000, every £500 counts as £1 a week of income.

For example, £13,000 in savings counts as £6 a week of income.

Savings Credit

Savings Credit is an extra payment for people who reached State Pension age before 6 April 2016 and saved some money for retirement. In 2026/27 it can be up to £17.96 a week for a single person and £20.10 for a couple.

Why it is worth claiming

Pension Credit can unlock other help, such as Housing Benefit, Council Tax Reduction, Cold Weather Payments (Winter Heating Payments in Scotland), a free TV licence if you are 75 or over, and help with NHS costs. You can backdate a claim by up to 3 months if you were eligible then.

Related guides

Where these figures come from

Get it done

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

Check with the Pension Credit calculator

Common questions

What counts as income?

State Pension, other pensions, earnings and most benefits. Things like Attendance Allowance, PIP and Child Benefit don't count.

How can I check?

Use the Pension Credit calculator on GOV.UK.

Source: Pension Credit: eligibility

Checked against GOV.UK on 6 October 2026

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