Thousands of pensioners missing out on benefit worth up to £227 a week

Thousands of pensioners across the UK could be missing out on Pension Credit worth up to £227.10 a week, despite the benefit also unlocking free TV licences, council tax support and help with NHS costs.

New analysis of Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) data by Which? shows applications for Pension Credit have fallen by 36 per cent over the past year, despite Government campaigns encouraging older people to check whether they are eligible.

A total of 209,735 applications were submitted between February 2025 and February 2026, compared with 326,842 during the previous 12 months.

The decline follows a temporary surge in claims after Winter Fuel Payments were linked to Pension Credit, prompting a major awareness campaign by the Government.

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Weekly applications briefly reached around 10,000 before falling back to approximately 4,000.

Which? said many pensioners may still wrongly believe they are not entitled to the benefit.

The consumer group said owning a home, having savings or receiving a private pension does not automatically prevent someone from qualifying for Pension Credit.

Research by DWP found many successful applicants only realised they were eligible after submitting what they believed was an unlikely claim.

The findings showed those aged 75 and over were particularly likely to discover they qualified by chance, while pensioners aged between 66 and 74 were more likely to have heard about the benefit directly from DWP.

The research also found many older people incorrectly assume that modest savings or income from a workplace or private pension automatically makes them ineligible.

Pension Credit can provide additional support beyond the weekly payment through a range of so-called passport benefits.

Those receiving the benefit may also qualify for Housing Benefit to help with rent, Support for Mortgage Interest loans and council tax reductions through their local authority.

Recipients may also be entitled to Cold Weather Payments, reduced water bills and discounted broadband social tariffs.

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Households where someone is aged 75 or over and receives Pension Credit can also qualify for a free TV licence.

The benefit can additionally provides support with NHS costs, including free dental treatment, help towards glasses and contact lenses, and assistance with travel costs for hospital appointments.

Carers may qualify for an extra £46.40 a week, rising to £48.15 from April 2026, while those responsible for children could receive up to £77.78 extra per child each week.

According to DWP, the three most common reasons people applied for Pension Credit were struggling to manage on a low income, experiencing a change in circumstances such as bereavement or ill health, or being encouraged to apply by family, friends or an advice organisation.

With application numbers returning to levels seen before the Winter Fuel Payment campaign, charities and consumer groups are urging pensioners who think they may qualify to check their entitlement.

The Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit currently tops up weekly income to at least £227.10 for single pensioners and £346.60 for couples.

Those minimum income levels are due to increase to £238 a week for single pensioners and £365.25 for couples from April 2026.

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