Pension Credit will rise to £247.30 per week for single pensioners from April 2027 (Image: Getty)
State pensioners living alone and on a low income are being handed boosted payments of up to £247.30 per week from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) from April, it has been confirmed.
The boosted payments come thanks to a 3.9% uplift to Pension Credit rates which will come into effect in the 2027 to 2028 tax year. The uplift is in line with the increase in average weekly earnings, and is the same increase being given to both the basic and new State Pension from April. The higher payment rates will benefit around 1.4 million pensioners already claiming Pension Credit, which provides extra money to those on low incomes to help with living costs.
From April 2027, the standard minimum guarantee in Pension Credit will rise from £238 per week to £247.30 for single pensioners living alone – a weekly boost of up to £9.30, or up to £438.60 more per year if you’re entitled to the maximum amount.
Couples will also benefit from a 3.9% boost, with the joint rate set to rise from £363.25 per week to £377.40 from April, giving claimants up to £14.15 extra per week, or up to £735.80 more per year.
Confirming the 3.9% boost from April, Pat McFadden, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, said: “I am pleased to announce that the basic and full rate of the new State Pensions will be increased by 3.9%, in line with the increase in average weekly earnings in the year to May-July 2026.
“This delivers on our triple lock commitment throughout this Parliament to increase these rates in line with the highest of growth in prices, growth in earnings or 2.5%. From April, the full annual rate of the new State Pension will increase by around £490. The full annual rate of the basic State Pension will increase by around £375.
“The standard minimum guarantee in Pension Credit will also increase by 3.9% in line with the increase in average weekly earnings. From April, it will be £247.30 a week for a single pensioner and £377.40 a week for a couple, ensuring the incomes of the poorest pensioners are protected.”
The DWP last month began a fresh drive to boost Pension Credit uptake by posting letters to 660,000 pensioner households in Glasgow, Powys, Stockton-on-Tees, inland Cornwall, Birmingham, East Suffolk and Manchester, urging pensioners to check their eligibility.
Many pensioners may not realise that Pension Credit can be claimed even if you have other income, savings or you own your own home, and could be missing out on support they are entitled to as a result.
But it’s well worth checking your eligibility as it’s not just the income top-ups that make Pension Credit worth claiming as the benefit also unlocks access to a wealth of other financial perks, including help with housing costs, a council tax reduction, free TV licences and help with NHS treatment costs, among others.
When you apply for Pension Credit, your income is calculated, which includes your State Pension, other pensions, earnings from employment and self-employment and most social security benefits.
You can use the DWP’s Pension Credit calculator to get an estimate of how much you could get and you can start your application up to four months before you reach State Pension age.
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.
Minister for Pensions Torsten Bell said: “Far too many pensioners are missing out on support they’re entitled to. Pension Credit is worth more than £4,500 a year on average and can make a real difference to people’s finances, while also opening the door to help with bills and other everyday costs.
“If you think you might be eligible, it’s worth checking. We want to make sure pensioners get the support they’re entitled to and don’t miss out on money that could help them in retirement.”
