DWP rules for older people claiming Pension Credit - including when you can't go on holidays

Almost 1.4 million older people across the UK currently receive Pension Credit. The benefit provides an average of £3,900 each year in extra financial support for those over the age of 66 on a low income.

Figures from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) suggest there are about 880,000 households eligible for Pension Credit but not claiming it. Pension Credit can provide access to a Council Tax discount, as well as help with heating bills and housing costs.

Many people may not know that there are certain rules they must follow if claiming Pension Credit. This includes having to contact the DWP if you plan to have a holiday outside of mainland Britain, reports BirminghamLive.

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Guidance on GOV.UK states that you should tell DWP "if you're going to leave Great Britain for any reason at all, even if you'll only be away for a short time. This includes if you go to Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man or the Channel Islands".

The full DWP answer read: "We may pay Pension Credit for up to four weeks while you're temporarily away from Great Britain and we may pay for up to eight weeks if the absence is in connection with a death. If the absence is solely in connection with medical treatment or medically approved convalescence, we may pay Pension Credit for up to 26 weeks.

"But you should tell us before you go if you're going to leave Great Britain for any reason at all, even if you'll only be away for a short time. This includes if you go to Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man or the Channel Islands."

Quickest way to check eligibility for Pension Credit

Older people, or friends and family, can check their eligibility and get an estimate of what they may receive by using the online Pension Credit calculator on GOV.UK. Alternatively, you can contact the Pension Credit helpline directly to make a claim on 0800 99 1234, with lines open 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday.

Below is an overview of the benefit including who should check eligibility, how to go about it and how much you could get.

Who can claim Pension Credit?

There are two types of Pension Credit - Guarantee Credit and Savings Credit. To qualify for Guarantee Pension Credit, you must be State Pension age which is 66.

Your weekly income has to be less than the minimum amount the UK Government says you need to live on. For 2024/25, this is £218.15 for a single person and £332.95 for a couple - this amount could be higher if you're disabled, a carer or have certain housing costs.

You can only get Savings Credit if:

• You reached State Pension age before April 6, 2016, or you have a partner who reached State Pension age before this date and was already receiving it.

• You have qualifying income of at least £189.80 a week for a single person and £301.22 a week for a couple.

How much could you get?

Guarantee Credit tops up your weekly income to:

• £218.15 for a single person.

• £332.95 for a couple (married, in a civil partnership, or cohabiting).

You could get more than this if you're disabled or a carer, or you have certain housing costs.

Savings Credit can give you up to:

• £17.01 a week for a single person.

• £19.04 a week for a couple (married, in a civil partnership, or cohabiting).

The exact amount you could get depends on your income and savings. Your income includes assumed income from savings and capital over £10,000.

Other help if you get Pension Credit

If you qualify for Pension Credit you can also get other help. This includes:

• Housing Benefit if you rent the property you live in.

• Support for Mortgage Interest if you own the property you live in.

• Council Tax discount.

• Free TV licence if you are aged 75 or over.

• Help with NHS dental treatment, glasses and transport costs for hospital appointments.

• Help with your heating costs through the Warm Home Discount Scheme.

• A discount on the Royal Mail redirection service if you are moving house.

Mixed aged older couples and Pension Credit

In May 2019, the law changed so a 'mixed age couple' - where one partner is of State Pension age and the other is under it - are considered to be a 'working age'' couple when checking entitlement to means-tested benefits. This means they cannot claim Pension Credit or pension age Housing Benefit until they are both State Pension age.

Before this change, a mixed age couple could be eligible to claim the more generous State Pension age benefits when just one of them reached State Pension age.

How to use the Pension Credit calculator

To use the calculator on GOV.UK, you will need details of:

• Earnings, benefits and pensions.

• Savings and investments.

You will need the same details for your partner if you have one. You will have to answer a series of questions with multiple choice answer options, including:

• Your date of birth.

• Your residential status.

• Where in the UK you live.

• Whether you are registered blind.

• Which benefits you currently receive.

• How much you receive each week for any benefits you get.

• Whether someone is paid Carer’s Allowance to look after you.

• How much you get each week from pensions - State Pension, private and work pensions.

• Any employment earnings.

• Any savings, investments or bonds you have.

Once you have answered these questions, a summary screen will display your responses, allowing you to go back and change any answers before submitting. The Pension Credit calculator then displays how much benefit you could receive each week.

All you have to do then is follow the link to the application page to find out exactly what you will get from the DWP, including access to other financial support. There will also be an option to print off the answers you give using the calculator tool to help you complete the application form quicker.

Who cannot use the Pension Credit calculator?

You cannot use the calculator if you or your partner:

• Are deferring your State Pension.

• Own more than one property.

• Are self employed.

• Have housing costs (such as service charges or Crown Tenant rent) which are neither mortgage repayments nor rent covered by Housing Benefit.

How to make a claim

You can start your application up to four months before you reach State Pension age. You can claim any time after you reach State Pension age, but your claim can only be backdated for three months.

This means you can get up to three months of Pension Credit in your first payment if you were eligible during that time. You will need:

• Your National Insurance number.

• Information about your income, savings and investments.

• Your bank account details, if you're applying by phone or by post.

If you are backdating your claim, you'll need details of your income, savings and investments on the date you want your claim to start.

Apply online

You can use the online service if:

• You have already claimed your State Pension

• There are no children or young people included in your claim

To check your entitlement, phone the Pension Credit helpline on 0800 99 1234. You can also use the GOV.UK Pension Credit calculator here to find out how much you could get.