DWP posts 660,000 leaflets: pensioners reminded about £4,500 a year

On 13 October the Department for Work and Pensions launched a new push on Pension Credit, the top-up for people over State Pension age on a low income. Some 660,000 leaflets go through letterboxes in seven areas of the UK. The benefit is worth more than £4,500 a year on average, and around a million people who qualify do not claim it.

What did the DWP announce on 13 October?

Leaflets go through letterboxes in seven areas chosen for their high proportion of low-income pensioners: Glasgow, Powys, Stockton-on-Tees, inland Cornwall, Birmingham, East Suffolk and Manchester. The leaflet explains how to apply and how to help a family member claim, and asks people to pin it to the fridge. The mailing runs alongside the department's Pension Credit Week of Action and adverts across print, TV, radio and social media, including a partnership with ITV's The Chase.

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"Far too many pensioners are missing out on support they're entitled to," said Minister for Pensions Torsten Bell. "Pension Credit is worth more than £4,500 a year on average and can make a real difference to people's finances, while also opening the door to help with bills and other everyday costs."

Why are a million pensioners missing out?

The main reason is that people do not realise they qualify. Analysis by the charity Independent Age found that in 2023/24 more than a million eligible older people on low incomes did not receive it, missing out on a combined £2.5 billion. Around 1.4 million pensioner households already get the benefit, and last year's campaign — the biggest the department had run — brought an extra 33,500 applications.

The department singles out two myths that keep people from applying: that homeowners cannot claim, and that pensioners with savings cannot. Neither is true.

Who can get Pension Credit in 2026?

You must live in England, Scotland or Wales and have reached State Pension age; Northern Ireland has separate rules. The benefit tops up weekly income to £238 if you are single and joint weekly income to £363.25 if you have a partner. A partner must be included in the application: you qualify if you have both reached State Pension age, or if one of you gets Housing Benefit for people over State Pension age.

A higher income does not automatically rule you out if you have a disability, care for someone, have savings or have housing costs. On top of the basic amount comes £86.05 a week if you are severely disabled and receive Attendance Allowance, PIP, DLA or an equivalent; £48.15 a week with Carer's Allowance or Carer Support Payment; and £69.98 a week for each child you are responsible for, rising to £81.07 for a first child born before 6 April 2017.

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Do savings or owning your home stop a claim?

No. Savings and investments of £10,000 or less are ignored completely. Above that, every £500 counts as £1 of income a week, so £11,000 counts as £2 a week. Owning your home is no barrier either — Pension Credit can help with housing costs such as ground rent or service charges.

Attendance Allowance, PIP, DLA, Housing Benefit, Council Tax Reduction, Child Benefit and the Winter Fuel Payment do not count as income. A pension you are entitled to but have not yet claimed does count, as though already paid.

What else does Pension Credit unlock?

The top-up is not the only money at stake. Recipients can also get Housing Benefit if they rent, Support for Mortgage Interest if they own, a Council Tax Reduction, a free TV licence from 75, the Warm Home Discount, and — through Guarantee Credit — help with NHS dental treatment, glasses and hospital transport costs.

Winter payments work separately. A Cold Weather Payment is £25 for each seven-day period when the average temperature in your area is recorded as, or forecast to be, zero degrees or below, between 1 November 2026 and 31 March 2027; Scotland pays an annual Winter Heating Payment instead. The Winter Fuel Payment for winter 2026 to 2027 is £100 to £300 for people born on or before 27 June 1960, with a letter in October or November and payment in November or December. If your total income is over £35,000, HMRC takes the payment back; a partner's income does not count towards that total.

How do you claim, and how far back does it go?

You can start an application up to four months before you reach State Pension age, and at any time after it. But a claim can only be backdated by three months — so the first payment can include up to three months of Pension Credit if you were eligible throughout. The longer you wait, the more is lost for good.

You can apply online if you have already claimed your State Pension; by phone on 0800 99 1234, Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm (Relay UK: 18001 then the same number), and a friend or relative may call for you; or by post to Freepost DWP Pensions Service 3 — no stamp, no postcode. You will need your National Insurance number, details of income, savings and investments including on the date you want to backdate to, and bank account details. Citizens Advice and Age UK help with the form for free, and a refusal can be challenged through mandatory reconsideration.

A full breakdown of the rules and sums is in the ONLYWAY.NEWS guide "Pension Credit in 2026".