Pensioners with severe disabilities claiming Pension Credit will receive an extra £86.05 per week from the DWP from April 6

State pensioners living with a severe disability could receive an additional £86.05 each week from April through a single application to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

Those on a low income can access weekly payments to assist with living expenses by applying for Pension Credit, but where an individual has a severe disability, the benefit can be enhanced with supplementary amounts. The standard minimum guarantee for Pension Credit is increasing by 4.8 percent from April 6, which will see the single weekly amount rise from £227.10 to £238, while the joint weekly amount is going up from £346.60 to £363.25. However, the DWP will provide additional funds on top of the standard Pension Credit amount to support those with disabilities, and this level is also set to increase next month.

The DWP provides a supplementary sum for pensioners with severe disabilities, and this amount is growing by 3.8 percent from April 6, raising weekly payments from £82.90 to £86.05 – a rise of £3.15 each week, reports the Express.

The £86.05 weekly amount is for individual pensioners or couples where one partner qualifies. Across a full year, this equates to £4,474.60 in extra payments from the DWP, in addition to Pension Credit. In November last year, Baroness Sherlock, Minister of State (Minister of Lords), confirmed a 3.8% percent increase to the Pension Credit additional amount for severe disabilities. She stated: “The Standard Minimum Guarantee in Pension Credit will increase by 4.8 percent 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 percent, 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 percent.”

According to the DWP, pensioners could receive up to an extra £86.05 per week if they qualify for 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 receive this additional amount if they have a disability, but Pension Credit also provides access to a range 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.