Pension Credit
For more information, visit the Parkinson’s UK website (last updated July 2025).
What is Pension Credit?
Pension Credit can top up your State Pension if you have a low income. It’s a means-tested benefit, which means it takes into account your income and savings.
The qualifying age for getting Pension Credit is State Pension age. This gradually increases. Check your State Pension age on the government website.
Couples who make a new claim for Pension Credit must both be over pension age. If 1 person is over pension age and the other is under pension age, the couple must claim Universal Credit instead.
Pension Credit is made up of 2 parts:
- Guarantee Credit
- Savings Credit
Depending on your circumstances, you may be entitled to either 1, or both parts. Savings Credit is currently being phased out (see below for details).
To claim Pension Credit, you must:
- be present in Great Britain or Northern Ireland
- be ‘habitually resident’ and have a ‘right to reside’ in the UK, and
- not be subject to immigration control
What is Guarantee Credit?
This part of Pension Credit can top up your income (such as your State Pension) to a set amount, to give you (and your partner, if you have one) a basic income to live on.
You can get extra amounts if you have certain housing costs, a severe disability or caring responsibilities.
Even if you don’t get much Guarantee Credit, it’s always worth claiming as it can give access to other benefits.
What income and savings are taken into account?
All your income is taken into account when calculating Guarantee Credit, unless it’s specifically ignored.
For example, some benefits that aren’t counted are:
- Housing Benefit
- Personal Independence Payment
- Adult Disability Payment (Scotland only)
- Attendance Allowance
- Pension Age Disability Payment (Scotland only)
Earnings are taken into account after tax, National Insurance contributions and half of any contributions to a private pension are deducted.
Use the Pension Credit calculator on the GOV.UK website for more information about what you’re likely to be entitled to.
How do I claim Pension Credit?
You’ll need:
- your National Insurance number
- information about any money you have coming in
- details of any savings and investments you have
- information on any service charges you have to pay for your home (for example, mortgage interest payments)
- details of the bank account you’d like the Pension Credit paid into.
Does Pension Credit give access to other benefits?
If you’re awarded the Guarantee Credit part of Pension Credit, you may be entitled to:
- full help with your rent
- help from your local council towards your Council Tax
- help with NHS charges, vouchers for glasses and hospital travel fares
If you’re entitled to either part of Pension Credit, you may be able to get a Funeral Expenses Payment to help with funeral expenses if a partner, child, close relative or close friend has died.
You’ll also be entitled to a free TV licence if you’re over 75 and receive either part of Pension Credit.
You might also qualify for help to cover the interest payments on your mortgage or eligible home improvement loan through a Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI) loan.
Help with heating and fuel
If you receive the Guarantee part of Pension Credit you’ll automatically receive the one-off Warm Home Discount off your fuel bills.
If you’re in England, Wales or Northern Ireland, receiving Pension Credit also means you’ll automatically receive the Winter Fuel Payment.
You’ll also get the Cold Weather Payment. This is paid when the temperature averages 0°C for 7 consecutive days.
If you’re in Scotland and receive Pension Credit, you’ll automatically get the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment.
You’ll also received the Winter Heating Payment, regardless of the weather.