State Pensioner couples on a low income may be eligible for a £688.40 Pension Credit boost from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) if three conditions are met, as explained on the GOV.UK website. Pension Credit is a means-tested benefit paid out by the DWP that provides people over State Pension age and on a low income with additional support for living costs. Pension Credit comes in the form of a weekly top-up that increases income to a set minimum level, which will vary according to your circumstances.
When an application is made for Pension Credit, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) calculates income. In the case of couples, this is calculated as a joint pot, the UK Government website explains. Following an inflation-linked uprating in April, the amount was increased to £238 if you’re single, and £363.25 for couples. This is known as the Standard Minimum Guarantee. Incomes are then calculated against these thresholds, with the DWP making up the difference if you fall below that. It can also soften the blow of housing costs, such as ground rent or service charges, by factoring your home into the benefit award calculation.
Other benefits include potential access to the Severe Disability Addition, which adds £86.05 per week (2026-27) on top of the minimum guarantee for people with severe enough health or care needs who live alone, or couples where one person qualifies.
That means for a single person, the total Pension Credit top up is increased by £344.20 every four weeks, for those eligible for the full amount.
Couples where both people are eligible can receive up to £172.10 added to the threshold per week. This works out to £688.40 every four weeks.
However, in both cases you have to meet three key criteria to be in with the chance of getting it.
The DWP says pensioners can get the additional payment if they get one 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
You must also live alone, or with your partner and not with other family members or carers. Exceptions do apply so it’s best to check online.
Additionally, you must not have anyone paid Carers Allowance (CA) Carer Support Payment or the Carer Element in Universal Credit looking after you.
However, one member of the couple can still claim the single person’s threshold boost if their partner is being looked after by someone getting Carers Allowance (CA) Carer Support Payment or the Carer Element in Universal Credit.
These rules apply to England, Scotland or Wales. You can get Pension Credit in Northern Ireland too, but it’s administered separately.
You can find out about Pension Credit and all the benefits associated with it here.
