State pensioners can get 8 freebies and discounts | Personal Finance | Finance

State pensioners can boost their income by up to £8,329.90 with eight freebies and discounts available under new Prime Minister Andy Burnham. The money is up for grabs through several Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) benefits that are designed to support pensioner households with rising living costs, potentially giving them thousands of pounds worth of extra financial help. The income boost comes from the DWP benefit Pension Credit, which is available to pensioners in England, Scotland and Wales on a low income and it is paid separately to the State Pension. Following a 4.8% uplift in April this year, the DWP says Pension Credit is now worth an average of £4,300 per year, topping up your weekly income to £238 if you’re single or your joint weekly income to £363.25 if you have a partner.

But it’s not just the weekly payment that makes Pension Credit worth claiming, as it also acts as a gateway to a whole swathe of other financial help, potentially unlocking a raft of freebies and discounts worth around £8,329.90 on average.

This includes perks like a Council Tax discount, help with housing costs, free TV licences for over 75s and help with NHS treatment costs, among others, so it’s well worth checking if you qualify.

But according to the latest DWP statistics published in March, there was a 34% decrease in Pension Credit applications in the 2025/26 financial year compared to the year before, while 24% fewer claims were awarded in the same period.

The DWP launched a trial at the end of last year to help boost the number of claims after analysis showed large regional disparities, with uptake lowest in the South West.

The new Prime Minister inherits the current Pension Credit system from his predecessors Sir Keir Starmer and ex-Chancellor Rachel Reeves, and with Burnham vowing to lead a “cost of living government”, it’s unlikely that this benefit will undergo a massive overhaul.

Any potential changes to Pension Credit would not be announced until the Autumn Budget, which is expected to take place in late October or early November, so for now, pensioners on a low income should check their eligibility for the benefit as they can start reaping the financial benefits now.

Commenting on the benefits of claiming Pension Credit, Sarah Pennells, consumer finance specialist at Royal London, said: “Pension Credit is a valuable benefit because it is a ‘gateway’ benefit. That means, if you’re able to claim it, you may also be able to get help with housing costs (through Council Tax discount and Housing Benefit or Support for Mortgage Interest).

“You’re also eligible for a free TV licence if you’re aged 75 or over and you may be able to get help with NHS dental treatment, prescriptions and transport costs.

“If you’re entitled to these benefits, the state help you get could be very valuable and that could make a real difference to your finances. However, hundreds of thousands of people are missing out on Pension Credit. Our research showed that two in five people over State Pension age hadn’t checked to see if they were entitled to Pension Credit.”

To be eligible for Pension Credit, you must live in England, Scotland or Wales and have reached State Pension age. When you apply for the benefit, your income is calculated, and this includes your State Pension, other pensions, earnings from employment and self-employment and most social security benefits.

You can apply any time after you reach State Pension age, but your application can only be backdated by three months, so you’ll get up to three months of Pension Credit in your first payment if you were eligible during that time.

So if you’re in need of a financial boost, it’s worth checking your eligibility as it could unlock up to £8,329.90 worth of financial support through the following eight freebies and discounts:

Following a 4.8% uplift on April 6, Pension Credit now tops up your weekly income to £238 if you’re single or your joint weekly income to £363.25 if you have a partner.

You must live in England, Scotland or Wales and have reached State Pension age to qualify for Pension Credit, which according to the DWP is now worth an average of £4,300 per year.

If you’re entitled to Pension Credit, the benefit can also unlock access to a wealth of other freebies and discounts which means you could also get the following:

If you rent your home and you get the Guarantee element of Pension Credit then you’re eligible for the maximum Housing Benefit entitlement from your local council. This isn’t a fixed amount, but Martin Lewis’ MSE says you could get around £1,000 per year, and potentially have your rent paid in full.

Anyone aged 75 and over and claiming Pension Credit can get £180 off their TV Licence bill, cutting it down to £0. As of April 1, the annual fee is £180, up from £174.50 in 2025, which equates to a £5.50 annual increase per household, so it’s worth checking whether you can get it for free. For households with a black and white TV set, the annual fee is now £60.50, up from £58.50 previously.

Pension Credit claimants can get a Council Tax discount. The exact amount you’ll get depends on your local council, but it can be anything from around £300 for a 25% reduction on a typical Band D bill up to around £1,600 for a 100% discount.

In Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, prescriptions are already free for everyone, but in England, charges apply in some cases.

For those who do have to pay, the NHS prescription charge is remaining frozen at £9.90 for the 2026/27 tax year. The cost of an NHS Prescription Prepayment Certificate (PPC) will also remain at £32.05 for three months, or £114.50 for 12 months.

But free prescriptions are available in England to children under 16, young people aged 16 to 18 in full-time education, and adults aged 60 or over. And if you get the Guarantee Credit element Pension Credit, you’re also entitled to free NHS prescriptions if you live in England. This entitlement also covers your partner if they’re included in your claim.

If you get any of the Guarantee element of Pension Credit then you are entitled to help with NHS eye care, including a voucher for glasses or contact lenses. According to Martin Lewis’ MSE, this could be worth up to £215, depending on your prescription.

Pensioners who qualify for the Guarantee element of Pension Credit are also entitled to free NHS dental treatment, including anything from a simple check up to full dentures. According to Martin Lewis’ MSE, this could amount to up to £1,000 worth of free treatment per year.

Pension Credit claimants are entitled to a discount on the Royal Mail redirection service if you’re moving house. The service normally costs £87 for up to 12 months for a single adult household, but you’ll pay a concessionary rate of £62 if you get Pension Credit – giving you a saving of £25.