Money Saving Expert Martin Lewis has urged pensioners earning under £255 a week (single) or £380 a week (couples) to check if they are eligible for Pension Credit worth over £4,000 annually

Personal finance expert Martin Lewis has urged pensioners earning below certain weekly thresholds to check whether they qualify for a DWP payment worth more than £4,000 annually. Pension Credit is a tax-free, means-tested benefit available to individuals who have reached State Pension age and are living on low incomes. It operates independently from the State Pension and functions as a “top-up” to guarantee a minimum weekly income, with the typical award valued at over £3,900 per year.

It also serves as a ‘gateway’ to numerous essential benefits including free council tax and TV licences. Mr Lewis emphasised that the latest figures reveal approximately 900,000 people entitled to the payment are failing to claim it – and encouraged family members of pensioners, many of whom may be vulnerable, to offer assistance.

In a recent post on X, Mr Lewis highlighted crucial income thresholds people should verify: £255 weekly for single individuals, or £363 for couples. Pension Credit gained prominence after Chancellor Rachel Reeves withdrew the £300 winter fuel payment from 9 million pensioners, which has largely been reinstated, with Pension Credit becoming the determining benefit for eligibility, reports Chronicle Live.

Mr Lewis said: “Even after all the shenanigans linking the Warm Home Discount to Pension Credit, there are, according to the govt’s own figures still 900,000 of the very poorest pensioners (out of 2.3m eligible) missing out on the crucial Pension Credit income top up! It’s not good enough.”

He added: “PENSION CREDIT CAN BE WORTH £1,000s YET 900,000 ELIGIBLE ARE MISSING OUT. You should check if you’re of State Pension age, (roughly 66+) with a low total weekly income. My rough rule of thumb is…

“SINGLE. Under £238/wk you’re likely to get it, under £255/wk it’s worth checking.

“COUPLE (both of State Pension age): Under £363/wk you’re likely to get it, under £380/wk you it’s worth checking.

“Don’t stall, just call (or check online) to see if you’re due it…

“- How to check? Just go online to and don’t worry the worst that can happen is you’re told you’re ineligible. If you prefer to speak to someone call 0800 99 1234 (N. Ireland 0808 100 6165)

“- What counts as income? It’s all income from work; private, work or state pensions; and some benefits. Plus if you’ve £10,000+ savings or investments, each £500 above counts as £1/wk income (if only returns were really that good) Do note I’m not saying you will get it if you earn under these levels.

“PS Not only can Pension Credit be worth £1,000s, if you get it you may then be eligible for discounts or free council tax, water, energy, TV licence, dental help and more.”

Key Aspects of Pension Credit (April 2026 – March 2027 Rates)

For those wishing to apply for Pension Credit

You can begin your claim up to four months prior to reaching State Pension age. Applications are accepted at any point after you reach State Pension age, though backdating is limited to three months. This means you may be entitled to up to three months’ worth of Pension Credit in your first payment if you qualified during that time.

If you have already submitted your State Pension application, you can use the online service, or contact the Pension Credit claim line on 0800 99 1234 to apply over the phone. Eligibility for Pension Credit generally extends to single pensioners with total weekly income below approximately £240, or couples earning less than roughly £360, taking into account all income sources. For information on how to claim, click here.

Pension Credit serves as a gateway to numerous forms of extra support, including a cost-of-living payment worth up to £600, a free TV licence valued at £160 each year, council tax discounts which could total thousands annually, plus a warm home discount of £150 per year, cold weather payments, free dental care, and vouchers for complimentary eyewear. Lewis highlighted that these benefits are unlocked through Pension Credit entitlement, while emphasising that 800,000 eligible UK pensioners are failing to claim this.