Can pensioners get Universal Credit?

For people at or near State Pension age, and couples where one partner is older.

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

Usually not. To claim Universal Credit on your own, you must be under State Pension age.

Pensioners on a low income claim Pension Credit instead.
A 'mixed age' couple, where only one partner is State Pension age, can claim Universal Credit together.
The Universal Credit claim ends when both partners reach State Pension age.
Your State Pension counts as income and reduces Universal Credit.
If you already get Pension Credit, you will usually be better off staying on it.

Different in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland

Rules may be different in:

Northern Ireland: Check nidirect for Northern Ireland

Key facts

Must be under State Pension age
Pensioners claim Pension Credit
Mixed age couples can claim UC
State Pension reduces UC

The main rule

Universal Credit is a working age benefit. To claim it, you must:

live in the UK
be 18 or over
be under State Pension age
have £16,000 or less in money, savings and investments

If you are single and over State Pension age, you cannot make a new claim. Pension Credit is the main benefit for pensioners on a low income.

State Pension age is rising

State Pension age is going up from 66 to 67 between 2026 and 2028.

Date of birth	State Pension age
6 April 1960 to 5 March 1961	66 plus a number of months, depending on your birthday
6 March 1961 or later	67

This means some people will stay on Universal Credit for longer before they move to Pension Credit. Use the GOV.UK State Pension age checker for your exact date.

Who can get it: the conditions

Your situation	Universal Credit?	Pension Credit?
Single, under State Pension age	Yes, if eligible	No
Single, State Pension age or over	No	Yes, if eligible
Couple, both under State Pension age	Yes, if eligible	No
Couple, one under and one over State Pension age (mixed age)	Yes, claim together	Usually no
Couple, both State Pension age or over	No	Yes, if eligible

Mixed age couples

If one of you is State Pension age and the other is not, you claim Universal Credit as a couple. Your claim ends when you both reach State Pension age. You can then claim Pension Credit.

Pension Credit for a couple usually needs both of you to be State Pension age. The exception is if one of you gets Housing Benefit for people over State Pension age.

If you already get Pension Credit, you will usually be better off staying on it.

Special cases

Your State Pension and Universal Credit

If you or your partner get a State Pension, it counts as income. Your Universal Credit goes down to reflect it.

If you get a Migration Notice at State Pension age

Some people over State Pension age on Housing Benefit get a Migration Notice telling them to claim Universal Credit by a deadline. In this case:

you can choose to claim Pension Credit instead, but if it is accepted you cannot then apply for Universal Credit
you will not get transitional protection on Pension Credit, and may get less
the benefit cap does not apply to you
if you work, you are not expected to look for more work for your first 12 assessment periods

Housing Benefit carries on if you live in supported or temporary accommodation.

How to check

Check your State Pension age on GOV.UK.
If you are under it, check Universal Credit eligibility.
If you are over it, or both of you are, apply for Pension Credit. You can apply up to 4 months before you reach State Pension age, and backdate it by up to 3 months. Call 0800 99 1234, Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm, or apply online.

Pension Credit tops up weekly income to £238 if you are single, or £363.25 for a couple, in 2026/27.

If you live in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland

These rules are the same in England, Scotland and Wales. Pension Credit in Northern Ireland is run separately, so check nidirect.

Related guides

Where this comes from

Universal Credit: eligibility (GOV.UK)
Universal Credit: what you'll get (GOV.UK)
Pension Credit: eligibility (GOV.UK)
Pension Credit: how to claim (GOV.UK)
Pension Credit (GOV.UK)
State Pension age timetable (DWP)
Universal Credit if you're State Pension age and get a Migration Notice letter (GOV.UK)
Universal Credit if you're a mixed age couple and get Migration Notice letters (GOV.UK)

Get it done

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

Apply for Pension Credit

Common questions

Can I get Pension Credit if my partner is under State Pension age?

Usually not. Pension Credit needs both partners to be State Pension age, or one of you to be getting Housing Benefit for people over State Pension age.

What is State Pension age now?

It is rising from 66 to 67 between 2026 and 2028. People born on or after 6 March 1961 reach it at 67.

I am State Pension age and got a Migration Notice. What should I do?

You can claim Universal Credit by your deadline, or Pension Credit instead. If Pension Credit is accepted, you cannot then apply for Universal Credit.

Official sources

1.Universal Credit: eligibilitywww.gov.uk/universal-credit/eligibility
2.Pension Credit: eligibilitywww.gov.uk/pension-credit/eligibility
3.Universal Credit: what you'll getwww.gov.uk/universal-credit/what-youll-get
4.State Pension age timetablewww.gov.uk/government/publications/state-pension-age-timetable/state-pension-age-timetable
5.Universal Credit if you're State Pension age and get a Migration Notice letterwww.gov.uk/guidance/universal-credit-if-youre-state-pension-age-and-get-a-migration-notice-letter

Checked against GOV.UK on 6 October 2026

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