If you make a new claim for Pension Credit before 21st December 2024, you will also continue to receive the Winter Fuel Payment this winter

The Winter Fuel Payment is an annual tax-free payment of £200 or £300 depending on your household. In the past it has been paid to all people over Pension Credit age but this winter it will only be paid to people receiving certain means-tested benefits, including Pension Credit.

See below to check for your eligibility for Pension Credit and how to apply for Pension Credit.

Pension Credit is separate from your State Pension. You can get Pension Credit even if you have other income, savings or own your own home. Pension credit gives extra money to those over State Pension age.

Enfield Council’s information: Pension Credit and Winter Fuel payment | Enfield Council

Pension Credit is for people of pension qualifying age. This is a means tested benefit.

Pension Credit gives you extra money to help with your living costs if you’re over State Pension age and on a low income. Pension Credit can also help with housing costs such as ground rent or service charges.

You might get extra help if you’re a Carer, severely disabled, or responsible for a child or young person.

Pension Credit is separate from your State Pension.

You can get Pension Credit even if you have other income, savings or own your own home.

To qualify for Pension Credit:

You must live in England, Scotland or Wales and have reached State Pension age to qualify for Pension Credit. If you’re from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein, you and your family usually also need settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme to get Pension Credit.

See more information and how to apply on the gov.uk website: Pension Credit: Overview – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

If you have a partner
You must include your partner on your application.
You’ll be eligible if either:
  • you and your partner have both reached State Pension age
  • one of you is getting Housing Benefit for people over State Pension age
A partner is either:
  • your husband, wife or civil partner – if you live with them
  • someone you live with as a couple, without being married or in a civil partnership
Your income
When you apply for Pension Credit your income is calculated. If you have a partner, your income is calculated together.
Pension Credit tops up:
  • your weekly income to £218.15 if you’re single
  • your joint weekly income to £332.95 if you have a partner
If your income is higher, you might still be eligible for Pension Credit if you have a disability, you care for someone, you have savings or you have housing costs.
What counts as income
Your income includes:
  • State Pension
  • other pensions
  • earnings from employment and self-employment
  • most social security benefits, for example Carer’s Allowance
What does not count as income
Not all benefits are counted as income. For example, the following are not counted:
  • Adult Disability Payment
  • Attendance Allowance
  • Christmas Bonus
  • Child Benefit
  • Disability Living Allowance
  • Personal Independence Payment
  • social fund payments like Winter Fuel Allowance
  • Housing Benefit
  • Council Tax Reduction
If you’ve deferred your pension

If you’re entitled to a personal or workplace pension and you have not claimed it yet, the amount you’d expect to get still counts as income.

If you’ve deferred your State Pension, the amount of State Pension you would get is counted as income.
You cannot build up extra amounts for deferring your State Pension if you or your partner are getting Pension Credit.
Your savings and investments
If you have £10,000 or less in savings and investments this will not affect your Pension Credit.
If you have more than £10,000, every £500 over £10,000 counts as £1 income a week. For example, if you have £11,000 in savings, this counts as £2 income a week.

If you get Pension Credit you can also get other help, such as:

How to claim

Use the Pension Credit calculator

Watch the video for more information about the Pension Credit calculator.

How to claim

The quickest way to apply for Pension Credit is by phone.

A friend or family member can call for you – you must be with them when they call.

Pension Credit claim line
Telephone: 0800 99 1234
Textphone: 0800 169 0133
Relay UK (if you cannot hear or speak on the phone): 18001 then 0800 99 1234

Monday to Friday, 8am to 7:30pm

You will need to have ready:

  • your National Insurance number
  • information about your income, savings and investments
  • the details for the account you want the payment to go to

How to claim

You can also apply online or by post.

You will need to have ready:

  • your National Insurance number
  • information about your income, savings and investments
  • the details for the account you want the payment to go to

You can use a paper application if you’re unable to make a claim by phone. Contact a voluntary organisation (for example Enfield Carers Centre, Citizens Advice or AgeUK) in your area – or get a friend or family member to call the helpline to ask for a paper application.