Pensioners could be due over £100 a week from DWP – who is eligible | Retirement | Finance

Pensioners who have a certain income could be due cash of up to £106 a week from the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP). This cash could help people with their everyday costs.

According to the latest figures from the DWP, State Pension provides a regular financial income for 13 million older people across the UK. This payment is available to those who have reached the Government’s eligible retirement age, which is presently 66 for both men and women, and have made at least 10 years’ worth of National Insurance (NI) contributions. However, as reported by the Daily Record, people aged over 80 who either have no Basic State Pension income or receive less than £105.70 each week, could be entitled to additional funds to assist with daily living costs.

The “over 80 pension” currently offers older people £105.70 each week if they are not receiving any Basic State Pension, or it tops up the difference to that amount.

Low-income individuals over 80 may also qualify for Pension Credit, which could provide more than £4,300 in extra financial support over the 2025/26 financial year.

Claiming the over 80 pension

It’s crucial to note that you cannot claim the over 80 pension if you reached State Pension age on or after 6 April 2016 – if you have, you are eligible for the New State Pension.

The guidance on GOV.UK indicates that you can claim the over 80 pension if all of the following conditions are met:

• You are 80 or over
• You do not get Basic State Pension or your Basic State Pension is less than £105.70 a week
• You were resident in the UK for at least 10 years out of 20 (this does not have to be 10 years in a row) – this 20-year period must include the day before you turned 80 or any day after
• You were “ordinarily resident” in the UK, the Isle of Man or Gibraltar on your 80th birthday or the date you made the claim for this pension, if later.
  

If you reside in or are relocating to a European Economic Area (EEA) country or Switzerland, find out about pensions and benefits for UK nationals in the EU, EEA and Switzerland on GOV.UK here.

Your eligibility for the over 80 pension is not based on National Insurance contributions. To make a claim, you can get a form from either your local Jobcentre Plus or the Pension Service.

The earliest you can claim is three months before your 80th birthday. You can request a claim form from the Pension Service by ringing 0800 731 7898.

Full details are available on GOV.UK here.

Pension Credit

Pension Credit boosts weekly income to a guaranteed minimum level of £227.10 for single pensioners or £346.60 for couples. This tax-free payment is available for those who have reached the Pension Credit qualifying age, which is State Pension age, and reside in Great Britain. The quickest method to verify eligibility for Pension Credit is through an online check.

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