Pension Credit - How much Pension Credit will I get?

Guarantee Pension Credit

It is complicated to work out how much Guarantee Pension Credit you can get so we suggest using the Turn2us Benefits Calculator, which can calculate how much Pension Credit you may be entitled to.

The calculation involves comparing your weekly income (which includes your partner’s income if you live with a partner) to a weekly amount set by the government:

• £218.15 per week for single people
• £332.95 per week for couples

Your income includes State Pension, other pensions, earnings from work and self-employment and most social security benefits.

The actual amount you get will vary for each person because you could also be entitled to extra amounts, depending on your circumstances. For example, there is an extra amount for carers or people with disabilities.

If you have a severe disability, you could get an extra £81.50 a week if you get:

• Attendance Allowance
• The middle or highest rate from the care component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
• The daily living component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
• Armed Forces Independence Payment
• The daily living component of Adult Disability Payment (ADP) at the standard or enhanced rate

If you care for another adult, you could get an extra £45.60 a week if you get:

• Carer’s Allowance
• Carer’s Support Payment
• You’ve claimed Carer’s Allowance but are not being paid because you get another higher paying benefit

If you and your partner both get Carer’s Allowance, you can both get the extra amount.

If you are responsible for children or young people, you could get an extra £66.29 a week for each child. This increases to £76.79 a week for your first child if they were born before 6 April 2017. The child or young person must usually live with you and be under 20 years old. If they’re 16 or older but below the age of 20, they need to be in approved training or in non- advanced education .

If the young person or child is disabled, you could get an extra £35.93 a week if they get Disability Living Allowance (DLA), Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Adult Disability Payment (ADP).

You could get an extra £112.21 if they’re blind or they get the highest rate of care component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or Child Disability Payment (CDP), or the enhanced living component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Adult Disability Payment (ADP).

If your income is too high to get Guarantee Pension Credit, you may still get some Savings Pension Credit.

Savings Pension Credit

It is complicated to work out how much Savings Pension Credit you may get so we suggest using the Turn2us Benefits Calculator, which can calculate how much you may be entitled to.

The amount you get depends on whether you have more or less weekly income than:

• £189.90 for single people
• £ 301.22 for couples

If your income is more than this, you may get some Savings Pension Credit. The most you can get is:

• £17.01 for single people
• £19.04 for couples

If you receive Pension Credit, you also qualify for a Christmas Bonus each year. This is usually £10. You do not need to make a claim for the bonus, it is paid automatically. It does not affect any other benefits you might get.

Changes to Savings Pension Credit from 6 April 2016

The Savings Credit part of Pension Credit closed for people reaching State Pension age on or after 6 April 2016.

If you reached State Pension age before 6 April 2016, you can still get Savings Credit, depending on your circumstances, regardless of when you apply.

If you are a couple where one person reaches State Pension age before 6 April 2016 and the other on or after 6 April 2016, you can only get Savings Credit if one of you:

• was already getting it immediately before 6 April 2016 and
• has been entitled to it at all times since 6 April 2016

Benefit Cap

If you get Pension Credit, you will be exempt from the Benefit Cap which limits the total amount in some benefits that working-age households can receive.

How will I be paid Pension Credit?

Pension Credit will be paid directly into your bank, building society or Post Office account or through the Payment Exception Service if you are unable to open or manage one of these or a similar account.

Pension Credit is usually paid every four weeks.

Pension Credit and other benefits

The Guarantee Pension Credit does not count as income when working out your entitlement to other benefits.

If you get Guarantee Pension Credit, you will automatically qualify for maximum Housing Benefit but you have to make a separate claim. The £16,000 capital limit for Housing Benefit will not apply if you are getting Guarantee Pension Credit (with or without Savings Credit).

The £16,000 capital limit for applying for Housing Benefit does apply if you only receive the Savings Credit.

Cold Weather Payment

If you receive Pension Credit, you also qualify for a Cold Weather Payment. You do not need to make a claim as the payment will be made automatically for each qualifying period of cold weather. See our Cold Weather Payment guide for further details.

Winter Fuel Payment  

If you receive Pension Credit, you might also be eligible for a Winter Fuel Payment in Winter 2024/25. Most people won’t need to apply, and you’ll receive a letter in October or November telling you how much you’ll get. The payment will be made automatically in November or December. 

If you are applying for Pension Credit for the first time and want to receive the Winter Fuel Payment, you must apply by 21 December 2024. This is the last date that you can make a backdated claim for Pension Credit and still qualify for the Winter Fuel Payment.  

However, to be eligible you must have been entitled to Pension Credit during the ‘qualifying week’, which runs from 16 September to 22 September 2024. For more information, check out our Winter Fuel Payment guide.