Nearly £10,000 is available through two benefits (Image: Getty Images)
Many older individuals across the UK may be unaware that they could be eligible for two separate benefits, which together could amount to as much as £9,542 in the current financial year. The Department for Work and Pensions () recently disclosed that due to alterations in eligibility criteria, a staggering 9.2 million people over the age missed out on the for 2024/25.
This sum is projected to increase to £9,940 for 2025/26 after the annual uprating in April. Pension Credit, designed for those over the age with a low income, can receive a yearly income boost by roughly £4,200 on average.
currently provides extra financial support of up to £434 each month – equating to around £5,642 annually – for those grappling with a long-term health condition or disability. From April, payments will rise by 1.7 per cent, making them worth either £5740 over 2025/26 for those on the higher rate, and £3,842 for individuals on the standard rate.
Pension Credit
There are currently 12.9 million people over the age, and the estimates that 760,000 are eligible for Pension Credit but are not claiming this income-related benefit. Similarly, it’s believed that over one million pensioners could be eligible for , which is unaffected by income or savings, tax-free, and not considered as income when applying for Pension Credit ,reports .
Pension Credit currently supports 1.4 million individuals, including 125,000 based in Scotland. It ensures a minimum weekly income of £218.15 for single pensioners and £332.95 for couples, averaging an annual benefit of £3,900.
If you are a single person on the New with a total weekly income below £218.15, or part of a couple with a combined weekly income less than £332.95, you may be eligible for Pension Credit.
Similarly, if you are over 65 and reached age before April 6, 2016, and are on the Basic , you could still qualify for Pension Credit if your weekly income is less than £260.68 as a single person or £380.55 as part of a couple. Even a modest award of £1 per week can unlock access to additional financial support, such as the 2025/26 .
In May 2019, the law changed regarding ‘mixed age couples’ – where one partner is of age and the other is not. These couples are now considered ‘working age’ when assessing entitlement to means-tested benefits.
This means they cannot claim Pension Credit or pension age Housing Benefit until both partners reach age. Prior to this change, a mixed age couple could be eligible to claim the more generous age benefits when just one of them reached age.
Other help if you get Pension Credit includes:
- Help with your heating costs through the Warm Home Discount Scheme and
- Support for Interest if you own the property you live in
- Help with NHS dental treatment, glasses and transport costs for hospital appointments
- Housing Benefit if you rent the property you live in
- A discount on the Royal Mail redirection service if you are moving house
- Free TV licence if you are aged 75 or over
- Council Tax discount
How to check eligibility for Pension Credit
To check eligibility for Pension Credit, which could qualify you for additional assistance, use the online Pension Credit calculator on Alternatively, call the Pension Credit helpline directly on 0800 99 1234 between 8am and 6pm, Monday to Friday.
Attendance Allowance
currently supports over 1.6 million older individuals in Great Britain with extra daily living costs due to physical or mental health conditions, disabilities, or long-term illnesses. It’s worth noting that having a carer is not a requirement for making a claim.
Claimants over age receive either £72.65 (lower rate) or £108.55 (higher rate) per week. This equates to either £290.60 or £434.20 every four weeks, totalling around £5,644 over the 2024/25 financial year.
If you have a disability or illness that necessitates assistance or supervision throughout the day or night, you may be eligible for , even if you’re not currently receiving help. This could include support with personal care tasks such as dressing, eating, moving in and out of bed, bathing, using the toilet, or general safety measures.
If you find personal tasks challenging, whether they take a long time, cause discomfort, or require physical support like leaning on a chair, it is worth considering applying.
All those eligible for Attendance Allowance
isn’t just for those with a physical disability or illness. If you need help or supervision due to a mental health condition, learning difficulties, or a sensory condition like deafness or visual impairment, you are also eligible to claim.
Importantly, isn’t means-tested, so your other income or savings won’t affect your eligibility—there’s no limit. It is tax-free and exempt from the Benefit Cap, meaning it won’t reduce any other benefits you are currently receiving.
You can still claim it even if you are working and earning money. To apply, you’ll need to complete a detailed claim form for . While this might seem daunting at first, help is available from Citizens Advice and Independent Age.
Complete information on how to secure the application form via post or telephone can be located on the