State pensioners handed £86.05 weekly extra with one condition in May | Personal Finance | Finance

State pensioners with a severe disability can get an extra £86.05 per week in May with one claim to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

Pensioners on a low income can get weekly payments to help with living costs by claiming Pension Credit, but in cases where someone has a severe disability, the benefit can be topped up with additional amounts. Pension Credit claimants now benefit from increased rates thanks to a 4.8% uplift at the start of the new tax year on April 6, meaning the standard minimum guarantee now tops up your weekly income to £238 if you’re single, or your joint weekly income to £363.25 if you have a partner. But the DWP will pay extra cash on top of these standard rates to support those with disabilities – and this amount also went up in April.

The top-up for those with severe disabilities increased by 3.8% last month, meaning pensioners who start claiming Pension Credit in May and qualify for the additional amount can now get an extra £86.05 per week from the DWP.

The £86.05 weekly rate applies to single pensioners or couples where one person qualifies. Over a full year, this amounts to £4,474.60 additional payments from the DWP, on top of Pension Credit.

Confirming the 3.8% rise to the Pension Credit additional amount for severe disabilities in November last year, Baroness Sherlock, Minister of State (Minister of Lords), said: “The Standard Minimum Guarantee in Pension Credit will increase by 4.8% in line with the increase in average earnings. From April, it will be £238.00 a week for a single pensioner and £363.25 a week for a couple, ensuring the incomes of the poorest pensioners are protected.

“Other State Pension and benefit rates covered by my statutory review will be increased by 3.8%, in line with the increase in the consumer prices index in the year to September 2025.

“This includes most working-age benefits and other benefits for people below State Pension age; benefits to help with additional needs arising from disability; Statutory Payments including Statutory Sick Pay and Statutory Maternity Pay; and Additional State Pension. The Pension Credit Savings Credit maximum amount will also increase by 3.8%.”

The DWP says pensioners could get up to £86.05 per week extra if they get any of the following benefits:

• Attendance Allowance
• the middle or highest rate from the care component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
• The daily living component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
• Armed Forces Independence Payment
• The daily living component of Adult Disability Payment
• Pension Age Disability Payment
• the middle or highest rate of the care component of Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance

Not only can pensioners get this extra amount if they have a disability, but Pension Credit also opens the door to a wealth of other financial support.

This includes Housing Benefit, a Winter Fuel Payment worth up to £300, a Council Tax discount, a free TV licence if you’re aged 75 or over, £150 off winter energy bills through the Warm Home Discount Scheme, and help with NHS dental treatment, glasses and transport costs.

To qualify for Pension Credit you must have reached State Pension age and live in England, Scotland or Wales.

You can apply for it up to four months before reaching State Pension age or any time after, but your application can only be backdated by 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 can use the government’s online Pension Credit calculator to get an estimate of how much you could get and can contact the Pension Service helpline on 0800 99 1234 to check if you’re eligible for extra amounts.