The Pension Credit top-up itself
Pension Credit tops up weekly income to a minimum of £218.15 for a single pensioner or £332.95 for a couple in 2026/27 (Guarantee Credit standard rates). If your income is below these figures, Pension Credit pays the difference. You must be over State Pension age to claim. Savings under £10,000 are ignored. Above £10,000, an assumed income of £1 per week for each additional £500 in savings is added, but this does not automatically stop entitlement.
Free TV licence
Households where at least one person is aged 75 or over and receives Pension Credit qualify for a free TV licence. The TV licence currently costs £174.50 per year. If you are aged 75 or over and not claiming Pension Credit, you will be paying this unless you qualify via another route. Claiming Pension Credit, even for a small amount, immediately confers the free TV licence.
Council Tax Reduction
Pensioners receiving Pension Credit are automatically entitled to maximum Council Tax Reduction under the national pension-age scheme. This can be up to 100% off your council tax bill. For a pensioner paying £150 per month in council tax, that is £1,800 per year saved. You apply through your local council, and Pension Credit award letters are usually accepted as proof of entitlement.
Housing Benefit for pension-age renters
Pension Credit recipients may also be entitled to Housing Benefit if they rent their home. Housing Benefit for pension-age claimants can cover up to the full rent (subject to Local Housing Allowance limits for private renters). Apply through your local council. This is separate from Universal Credit's housing element; pension-age claimants still use Housing Benefit rather than UC.
Cold Weather and Warm Home Discount
Pension Credit receipt triggers Cold Weather Payment when local temperatures drop below freezing for seven consecutive days. The payment is £25 per seven-day period. Pension Credit recipients are also eligible for the Warm Home Discount, currently £150 off an electricity bill, which most energy suppliers apply automatically for qualifying claimants.
NHS dental and healthcare costs
Pension Credit entitles you to free NHS dental treatment, free NHS sight tests and vouchers towards the cost of glasses or contact lenses. Help with hospital travel costs is also available. To access dental and NHS health benefits, you need an HC2 certificate. Ask your local NHS dentist or optician for a HC1 form if you have not already received an HC2 from DWP or HMRC.