State pensioners with a severe disability are set to receive boosted £89.05 weekly payments from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) from April under Andy Burnham’s Government, it has been confirmed.
If you are of State Pension age and on a low income in England, Scotland or Wales, you may be eligible to claim weekly payments from the DWP to top up your income by claiming Pension Credit. The benefit is paid on top of your State Pension and you can get it even if you have other income, savings or you own your own home. Under current rates, Pension Credit can top up your weekly income to £238 if you’re single, or £363.25 if you have a partner.
The DWP has confirmed that additional Pension Credit rates will be boosted by 3.5% in the 2027 to 2028 tax year in line with the increase in the consumer prices index (CPI) in the year to September 2026.
This uplift means the additional Pension Credit amount for pensioners with a severe disability will increase from £86.06 per week to £89.05 from April – a weekly rise of £2.99, or an extra £155.48 per year. According to the DWP, pensioners will be eligible for the extra amount if they get any of the following:
the middle or highest rate of 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
Confirming the 3.5% rise to the Pension Credit additional amount for severe disabilities from April, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Pat McFadden said: “Other State Pension and benefit rates covered by my statutory review will be increased by 3.5%, in line with the increase in the consumer prices index in the year to September 2026.
“This includes most working-age benefits and other benefits for people below State Pension age; benefits to help with additional needs arising from disability; statutory payments including statutory sick pay and statutory maternity pay; and additional state pension. The Pension Credit savings credit maximum amount will also increase by 3.5%.”
Not only can pensioners get this extra amount if they have a disability, but Pension Credit also opens the door to a swathe of other financial support, including housing benefit, a £150 Warm Home Discount, a Council Tax discount, a free TV licence if you’re aged 75 or over, and help with NHS dental treatment, glasses and transport costs, among others.
To qualify for Pension Credit you must have reached State Pension age and live in England, Scotland or Wales. You can apply for it up to four months before reaching State Pension age, or any time after, but your application can only be backdated by three months. This means you can get up to three months of Pension Credit in your first payment if you were eligible during that time.
You can use the Government’s online Pension Credit calculator to get an estimate of how much you could get and can contact the pension service helpline on 0800 99 1234 to check if you’re eligible for extra amounts.
