Pension Credit Awareness Week 2025

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28 October 2025

Pension Credit (PC) is a vital financial support for those of pension age on low incomes. Unfortunately, for many years, take-up has been relatively poor. The aim of this Pension Credit Awareness Week (Oct 27th-31st) is both to improve the take-up of that vital welfare benefit and make older people aware of other financial support that they might be entitled to.

Below are some key elements of PC you need to know if you are considering making an application.

Pension Credit is a means-tested welfare benefit for those of pension age; the current State Retirement Pension age is 66. Entitlement largely depends on income not being higher than what the government has calculated is necessary to live on.

What is included and disregarded as ‘income’ can be complicated so research is preferable before applying. Similarly, though there is no formal ceiling on how much you can have in savings, and still be entitled, there are rules around savings which might affect your application.

Applications can be made on the telephone, by post, or online.

Telephone applications can be made by calling the Pension Credit Claim Line on 0800 99 1234. A friend or family member can call for you if you cannot use the phone.

To make an online application go to https://www.gov.uk/pension-credit/how-to-claim .

To apply by post either call the Claim Line number referenced above, and ask for a paper application form to be sent, or print out and complete the claim form available from the website referenced above.

Send the claim form to the Pension Service, or ask someone to do it for you, at Freepost DWP Pensions Service 3. Do not write anything except the freepost address on the envelope. You do not need a postcode or a stamp.

To get help making a claim call the countywide Advice Helpline run by Citizens Advice on 0808 250 5715, Monday-Friday 9am-5pm.

For more information on Pension Credit, and to know what evidence you will be expected to provide, go to https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/help-if-on-a-low-income/pension-credit/ .

Be sure to apply as soon as you can but also make sure you have checked your eligibility and what evidence will be needed first.

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Other Potential Sources of Financial Assistance.

Though PC is a vital source of financial assistance for those eligible older people, it is not the only one. Other potential sources of help include:

1. Attendance Allowance - a welfare benefit for older people with disabilities or long term health conditions. More details on Attendance Allowance can be found at https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/attendance-allowance/ .

2. Carers Allowance - for those looking after a disabled person for at least 35 hours per week. More details on Carers Allowance can be found at https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/carers-allowance/ .

3. Council Tax Support - for those on low incomes to help with Council Tax liabilities. Contact your local council for more on this.

For those in emergency food or fuel need Warwickshire pensioners can apply to the County Council’s Local Welfare Scheme, or access food and/or fuel vouchers from other sources.

For pensioners who are not affected by recent changes to eligibility rules around the Winter Fuel Payment, but are still concerned about their household finances, there is information available on where to get free, independent money and budgeting advice.

For the digitally confident, the government website Moneyhelper is an excellent source of independent budgeting advice. It can be found at https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en .

For those who prefer to hear a human voice, call your local Citizens Advice on 0808 250 5715 Monday-Friday 9am-5pm.

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Other Potential Sources of Independent Advice.

Citizens Advice is a credible source of free independent impartial advice on Pension Credit and other issues, but it is not the only credible source.

Age UK provides a free Advice Line on 0800 678 1602 (available between 8am-7pm 7 days a week). For more information go to https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/money-legal/benefits-entitlements/pension-credit/ .

Similarly, Independent Age provides a free Helpline on 0800 319 6789 (open Monday-Friday 8.30-5.30pm). For more information go to https://www.independentage.org/pension-credit .

The list of potential financial support for older people listed above is not exhaustive. There is further help available on utility bills for example. Contact your local Citizens Advice office for a full run down of what you may be entitled to.

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