Pension Credit extra benefits explained: what are you eligible for?

If you’re over State Pension age, and think you could be eligible for Pension Credit then firstly, it’s worth finding out whether you’re able to claim the average £3,900 a year extra it could bring. 

However, it’s often known a ‘gateway benefit’, because if you’re eligible, you could get access to a free TV Licence, help with spectacles, travel to NHS appointments, assistance with dental treatment and many other extras. 

Thousands are missing out though, as the Government estimates only 63% of families entitled to Pension Credit are actually claiming it.  

More people are waking up to their entitlement however, following a recent move by the Chancellor to scrap the annual Winter Fuel Payment (WFP) for all but those on Pension Credit and some other means-tested benefits. 

Anyone eligible to claim shouldn’t feel hesitant, as you or your spouse will have paid the necessary National Insurance over the years and should feel comfortable claiming what you’re entitled to, especially as it can give access to many helpful extras. 

Help with NHS dental treatment 

You're entitled to free NHS dental treatment if you or your spouse or civil partner receive Pension Credit Guarantee Credit or Pension Credit Guarantee Credit with Savings Credit. You can claim this at the dental surgery, using your award notice as proof you’re entitled. 

If you get Pension Credit Savings Credit on its own, you’re not automatically entitled to free NHS dental treatment. But you could apply for help through the NHS Low Income Scheme. 

Help with the cost of glasses 

Anyone over the age of 60 is entitled to a free eye test, but with Pension Credit Guarantee Credit you’ll get access to help with the cost of glasses or contact lenses too. 

“Once you've had an eye test, the optician should give you a yellow GOS3 optical voucher with your prescription on it. The voucher can be used for glasses at any optician, not just the one where you had the test,” explains Samson. 

• Who gets free prescriptions - and other health services? 

Help with the cost of transport to hospital 

You can claim help with travel costs to the hospital or other NHS premises for treatment or tests if you’re referred by a doctor, dentist or another primary care health professional, if you or your spouse or civil partner receive Pension Credit Guarantee Credit. 

“To claim your travel costs, take your travel receipts, appointment letter or card, plus proof that you're receiving a qualifying benefit, to a cashiers' office in the hospital or clinic that treated you,” says Samson. 

Housing Benefit 

Pension Credit claimants could also be eligible for Housing Benefit to help with rental payments. Usually, you won't get Housing Benefit if your savings are over £16,000, unless you get the Guarantee Credit of Pension Credit. 

“Housing Benefit is claimed through your Local Authority, which will have its own claim forms,” says Samson. There’s a portal on the Government website to help get you started with the process. 

“However, if you claim Pension Credit by phone, the Housing Benefit form can be completed at the same time, and the DWP will forward your claim... to your Local Authority,” he adds. 

Mortgage interest, ground rent and service charges

If you own your own home, and are eligible for Pension Credit, you might be entitled to help with paying your mortgage interest, ground rent and service charges.   

When you apply for Pension Credit you’ll be asked extra questions about your housing costs to find out if you’re eligible for Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI). Help with ground rent and service charges are paid within Pension Credit.  

“However,” says Samson, “help with mortgage interest is in the form of an interest-bearing loan and you need to research whether this is the best option for you before making a claim”. 

Council Tax 

If you get Pension Credit, you could also be eligible for a Council Tax reduction (sometimes called Council Tax Support). This is claimed through your Local Authority, which will have its own claim forms – although there is a different scheme in Northern Ireland. 

However, you can use the Government website to help you start your search for where you can claim the support, which could be up to 100% reduction in some cases. 

Carer Addition 

You might get extra money called a Carer Addition with Pension Credit if you care for someone who’s getting a disability benefit. Carer Addition is paid within Pension Credit and is worth £45.60 a week. 

According to Carer’s UK, you’ll also need to be entitled to Carer’s Allowance – this doesn’t mean you need to be receiving it, but you’ll have to meet the eligibility criteria. 

Severe Disability Addition 

“If you are disabled and get a disability benefit, you could get extra money called a Severe Disability Addition with Pension Credit if you meet the conditions,” says Samson. This is paid within Pension Credit.  

However, you cannot get this addition if someone is getting Carer’s Allowance, the carer’s element of Universal Credit or Carer Support payment for looking after you. 

Help with raising children 

You’ll get help through Pension Credit if you’re bringing up a child, including access to free school meals depending on where you live.  

The child or young person must normally live with you and be under the age of 20. However, if they’re 16 or over, but under 20, they must be in education or approved training. 

Help with bringing up a child is paid through Pension Credit. For free school meals, you need to apply via your Local Authority.  

Free TV Licence 

If you, or someone you live with, are 75 or older - and receive Pension Credit - you’re eligible for a free TV Licence.  

The person named on the licence doesn’t have to be claiming Pension Credit – if you’re in a couple, as long as one of you is eligible, then you can claim. 

You need to apply to the TV Licensing Authority online or call them on 0300 790 6117 to ask for a form to be sent out – the body suggests you apply when turning 74 to make the process smoother when you become eligible a year later. 

• Are you eligible for a free TV Licence? 

Winter Fuel Payment 

You can get a Winter Fuel Payment for Winter 2024/25 if you were born before 23 September 1958 and were receiving Pension Credit during the qualifying week of 16 to 22 September 2024.  

Most people eligible should get the Winter Fuel Payment automatically – you shouldn’t need to make a separate claim. 

However, if you’re not claiming Pension Credit but think you’re eligible, you can backdate your claim by up to three months – meaning you’ve got until 21 December to make a claim and get the Winter Fuel Payment if approved. 

Cold Weather Payment 

You might get a Cold Weather Payment (known as the Winter Heating Payment in Scotland) during particularly cold weather if you’re claiming Pension Credit.  

This payment is made if you get certain benefits, and the temperature drops below freezing for seven days in a row. 

You’ll get £25 for each period of seven days of very cold weather between 1 November 2024 and 31 March 2025. 

This is paid automatically by the DWP for the Cold Weather Payment, or automatically by Social Security Scotland for the Winter Heating Payment.  

Help with funeral costs 

If you find yourself arranging a funeral, Pension Credit claimants may qualify for financial support.  

The Funeral Expenses Payment (or Funeral Support Payment if you live in Scotland), can help towards the cost of a funeral, including burial or cremation fees.   

To qualify for the support the deceased will usually need to have been your partner or a child (under 16, or 20 if they were still in education) that you were responsible for (although exceptions may be made for the funerals of close friends if they did not have a partner).  

It’s also important to note that you may not qualify if another close relative of the deceased is in work and not claiming any of the required benefits. 

“Apply to the DWP [using the Bereavement Services Helpline] for the Funeral Expenses Payment or to Social Security Scotland for the Funeral Support Payment,” says Samson. 

This payment might need to be returned if you later receive money from the deceased person’s estate. 

Help with broadband costs and phone bills 

Some providers offer discounts for Pension Credit claimants on broadband and phone packages. 

Sometimes called ‘essential’ or ‘basic’ broadband, according to Ofcom, these are designed to deliver broadband in the same way as other packages and make connectivity and access possible for more people. 

“There are a lot of different social tariffs and you can choose one that’s the right speed and price and that is offered in your area,” says Samson.  

Ofcom publishes a list of providers that offer the benefit, with prices and speeds in your area – you might need your National Insurance number to prove you’re eligible to claim the benefit. 

Ofcom lists these as being offered between £10 and £23 and should be available at over 30Mbps – more than enough for HD video streaming and most tasks.