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Pension Credit and the other support it can unlock

Why Pension Credit is worth checking and which connected forms of support may need a separate application.

Last reviewed: 21 July 2026 · UK guidance

In brief

Pension Credit is separate from the State Pension. It can provide extra income to some people over State Pension age who are on a lower income.

Do not rule yourself out because you own your home, receive another pension or have savings. The calculation can also be affected by caring, disability and certain housing costs. Check the current rules rather than relying on an old assumption.

Start with a check, not an assumption

People often assume they will not qualify because they receive the State Pension, own their home, have a workplace pension or have some savings. These facts do not automatically prevent an award.

If you live with a partner, the claim normally considers both people. Mixed-age couple rules can be complicated, so use the official calculator or recognised advice rather than guessing.

Gather the basic information

A check is easier if you collect the main figures, but do not delay because one document is missing.

  • National Insurance number
  • State Pension and private pension amounts
  • Earnings or other regular income
  • Savings and investments
  • Relevant housing costs
  • Disability benefits and caring responsibilities

Include disability, caring and housing circumstances

Some people may receive additional amounts because of disability, caring responsibilities, responsibility for a child or certain housing costs. Tell the adviser or calculator about the whole situation, not only the State Pension figure.

An existing disability benefit does not guarantee Pension Credit, but it can change the calculation or connect to other support.

Check the support linked to an award

Depending on the part of Pension Credit received and the person’s circumstances, an award may connect to other help. Some help is automatic and some needs a separate application.

  • Housing Benefit in relevant cases
  • Council Tax Reduction
  • Help with certain NHS costs
  • A free TV licence for eligible people aged 75 or over
  • Support for Mortgage Interest in qualifying circumstances
  • Heating-related support and the Warm Home Discount

Ask for help if online claiming is difficult

You can ask for telephone support, an accessible format, help from a benefits adviser or a trusted person to sit with you.

Be cautious if somebody contacts you unexpectedly and asks for passwords, bank details or payment to complete a Pension Credit claim. Use contact details from GOV.UK or a trusted advice organisation.

Words for a Pension Credit check

Use with the Pension Service or a recognised benefits adviser.

I would like to check Pension Credit without assuming that my pension, home or savings rule me out. Please include any relevant disability, caring and housing-cost additions. If I qualify, please tell me which other support I should check and whether each part needs a separate application.

A practical checklist

  • Gather income, savings and housing-cost information.
  • Include disability and caring circumstances.
  • Use the official calculator or a recognised adviser.
  • Keep the decision letter or a safe copy.
  • Check linked support after an award.
  • Ask for accessible or written help if the process is difficult.

Check the current information

Use these official or specialist pages to confirm current rules, availability and contact details.

Pension Credit overview — GOV.UK

gov.uk

Open the Pension Credit overview
Pension Credit eligibility — GOV.UK

gov.uk

Check current eligibility
Easy Read Pension Credit guide — GOV.UK

gov.uk

Open the Easy Read guide

Self Help sheets that may make this easier

Use one sheet if you want to organise your thoughts, prepare for contact or keep the next step somewhere you can return to.

Tiny task splitter

Break a form, call or piece of admin into the smallest useful step.

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What I need help with

Put the situation into plain words before speaking to a person or service.

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Before I make a phone call

Prepare the account details, questions and words you may need.

Open this sheet

Choose one next action

Start an official Pension Credit check or save the task and any connected applications in your Support Plan.

Open Support FinderOpen my Support Plan

A few closely related starting points, chosen from the same support library.

A calm support check for someone over State Pension ageA wider check of income, health, housing, energy, care and everyday support for an older person or somebody helping them.Attendance Allowance explained simplyWhat Attendance Allowance is for, how to describe care or supervision needs and what the award does not cover.Council Tax SupportA plain-English guide to reducing a Council Tax bill through means-tested support, disability-related reductions, discounts and exemptions that are often confused with one another.

Use this with a HiddenHelp tool

Turn the information into one manageable next step.

Open Support FinderUse a Self Help sheetBrowse life event support

HiddenHelp explains options and helps you organise a next step. It does not decide eligibility, provide emergency intervention, make awards, or replace regulated legal, medical, safeguarding or financial advice.