State pensioners on low income get £227 benefit from Monday | Personal Finance | Finance
State pensioners claiming Pension Credit will get up to £227 per week from Monday, April 7, as new payment rates take effect.
Pension Credit provides extra cash to people over State Pension age (currently 66 for men and women) who are on a low income to help with living costs. It is issued by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and it can unlock a wealth of other financial help, including support with housing costs, a Council Tax discount, a free TV licence, the Winter Fuel Payment and help with NHS treatment costs.
The benefit alone is worth around £4,300 per year and is available to state pensioners on a low income who live in England, Scotland or Wales.
From April 7, the standard minimum guarantee for Pension Credit has been uprated by 4.1%, in line with the annual increase in the Average Weekly Earnings (AWE) index for May to July 2024.
It means that for single pensioners, the weekly payment has increased from £218.15 up to £227.10, while for couples the rate has increased from £332.95 up to £346.60. As such, those getting the single rate will get an extra £8.95 per week, while those on the joint rate will get an extra £31.65 per week.
Over the course of a year, this will provide single pensioners with up to £465.40 more annually, while couples with a joint weekly income will be up to £1,645.80 better off per year.
The DWP said: “The majority of the new rates will apply from Monday 7 April 2025. Those in receipt of the State Pension and other uprated benefits will see an increase in their next payments following Monday 7 April.
“The minimum guarantee for Pension Credit – the minimum amount that someone on Pension Credit will receive – is also set to increase by 4.1% from 7 April. For single pensioners it will increase from £218.15 to £227.10. For couples it will increase from £332.95 to £346.60.”
Applications for Pension Credit can be made online via the Government website and you can start your application up to four months before you reach State Pension age.
You can apply any time after you reach State Pension age but your application can only be backdated by three months, meaning you can get up to three months of Pension Credit in your first payment if you were eligible during that time.
