Two benefits that can provide up to £10,040 for pensioners | Personal Finance | Finance

Across the UK, many of the 13 million pensioners may be oblivious to the fact that they could be eligible for two separate benefits, collectively worth up to £10,040 over the 2025/26 financial year. One benefit is not means-tested and is designed to assist older people with long-term health conditions, while the other offers additional financial support to those on a low income.

Pension Credit aims to help those over State Pension age on a low income by boosting their annual earnings by an average of £4,300. Meanwhile, Attendance Allowance can provide extra financial assistance of up to £441.60 each month – equating to some £5,740.80 annually.

Both these payments are made separately from the State Pension, which currently stands at up to £230.25 per week, or £921 every four-week payment period. The full New State Pension will amount to £11,973 this year.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) estimates that 760,000 individuals are eligible for Pension Credit but are not claiming this income-related benefit.

Similarly, it’s believed that over one million pensioners could qualify for Attendance Allowance, which is not influenced by income or savings, is tax-free and is not considered as income when applying for Pension Credit, reports the Daily Record.

Pension Credit explained

Currently, Pension Credit is assisting 1.4 million people. It raises weekly income to a guaranteed minimum level of £227.10 for single pensioners or £346.60 for couples.

On average, it’s worth £4,300 this year. If you’re a single person on the New State Pension with a total weekly income below £227.10, or part of a couple with a combined weekly income of less than £346.60, you may be eligible for Pension Credit.

Even an award of just £1 per week can unlock access to other financial support, including the 2025/26 Winter Fuel Payment.

Fastest way to check eligibility for Pension Credit

Older people, or their friends and family, can swiftly check their eligibility and get an estimate of what they might receive by using the online Pension Credit calculator on GOV.UK here.

Alternatively, pensioners can ring the Pension Credit helpline directly to make a claim on 0800 99 1234 – lines are open from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday.

How to use the Pension Credit calculator

To utilise the calculator you will require details of:

• earnings, benefits and pensions
• savings and investments

If you have a partner, you’ll need the same information for them. You will be presented with a series of questions with multiple choice answer options.

This includes:

• Any savings, investments or bonds you have
• Where in the UK you live
• Whether someone is paid Carer’s Allowance to look after you
• Your residential status
• How much you receive each week for any benefits you get
• Which benefits you currently receive
• Whether you are registered blind
• Any employment earnings
• How much you get each week from pensions – State Pension, private and work pensions
• Your date of birth

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

All that remains is to follow the link to the application page to find out exactly what you will receive from the DWP, including access to other financial support.

There’s also an option to print off the answers you provide using the calculator tool. This can help expedite the application process as you won’t need to search for the same details again.

Give the Pension Credit Calculator a try for yourself or a family member to ensure you’re receiving all the financial support you’re entitled to.

How to submit a claim

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

This means you could receive up to three months of Pension Credit in your first payment if you were eligible during that period.

You will require:

• 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’re backdating your claim, you’ll need information about your income, savings and investments on the date you want your claim to commence.

Apply online

You can utilise the online service if:

• you have already claimed your State Pension
• there are no children or young people included in your claim

Attendance Allowance explained

People over State Pension age who claim Attendance Allowance receive either £73.90 (lower rate) or £110.40 (higher rate) each week. As the benefit is typically paid every four weeks, this equates to either £295.60 or £441.60 per payment period – totalling around £5,740.80 over the 2025/26 financial year.

Who is eligible to claim?

If you have a disability or illness that requires assistance or supervision throughout the day or at times during the night – even if you’re not currently receiving such help – you should consider applying for Attendance Allowance.

This could include:.

• Assistance with personal care, such as dressing, eating or drinking, getting in and out of bed, bathing or showering, and using the toilet.
• Help to ensure your safety.

You should also apply if you struggle with personal tasks, for instance, if they take you a long time, cause pain, or require physical support like leaning on a chair. It’s important to note that Attendance Allowance isn’t solely for individuals with a physical disability or illness.

You’re also eligible to claim if you need help or supervision throughout the day or night due to:.

• A mental health condition.
• Learning difficulties.
• A sensory condition – such as being deaf or visually impaired.

Attendance Allowance isn’t means-tested, so your other income or savings won’t affect your eligibility – there’s no upper limit. Furthermore, it’s tax-free and exempt from the Benefit Cap, meaning it won’t reduce any other benefits you’re already claiming.

Even if you’re still working and earning money, you can claim Attendance Allowance.

How to make a claim

Applying for Attendance Allowance involves completing a lengthy claim form. While this may seem intimidating initially, support is available from Citizens Advice and Independent Age.

Full details of how to get the application form by post or over the phone can be found on the GOV.UK website here.