Over 10 million individuals across Great Britain who are over the State Pension age, including 850,000 in Scotland, will not receive their Winter Fuel Payment before the January 29 cut-off. This winter, the heating bill assistance of up to £300 will only be available to those over 66 who are receiving income-related benefits, such as Pension Credit.
However, pensioners affected by the loss of the Winter Fuel Payment might not be aware that they could still qualify for two separate benefits worth a combined total of up to £9,542 in the 2024-2025 financial year. This amount will increase to £9,940 for the 2025-2026 financial year due to the annual uprating in April.
Potential Financial Support: Pension Credit and Attendance Allowance
Pension Credit is an essential benefit for those over State Pension age with low incomes, providing a significant financial boost of around £4,200 annually. Additionally, Attendance Allowance offers further support of up to £434 each month—equivalent to £5,642 annually—if you have a long-term health condition or disability.
Attendance Allowance payments will increase by 1.7% in April, with the higher rate reaching £5,740 for 2025-2026 and the standard rate £3,842. Full details of the new payment rates, including for Pension Credit, are available on official resources like GOV.UK.
Currently, around 12.9 million people are over the State Pension age, with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) estimating that 760,000 pensioners are eligible for Pension Credit but aren’t claiming it. Furthermore, over one million pensioners are believed to qualify for Attendance Allowance, which is tax-free and not impacted by income or savings.
Pension Credit: What It Is and How It Works
Pension Credit is designed to top up weekly income for single pensioners or couples with insufficient income. It guarantees a minimum weekly income of £218.15 for single pensioners or £332.95 for couples, with an average payout of £3,900 annually.
If you are a single person receiving the New State Pension with a weekly income below £218.15, or part of a couple with a combined income of less than £332.95, you may be eligible for Pension Credit. Those who reached State Pension age before April 6, 2016, and are on the Basic State Pension may qualify if their weekly income is below £260.68 for single individuals or £380.55 for couples.
Even a small Pension Credit award—just £1 per week—can unlock access to additional financial benefits, such as the 2025-2026 Winter Fuel Payment or the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment in Scotland.
Mixed-Age Couples and Pension Credit Eligibility
A significant change in May 2019 altered how mixed-age couples are treated for means-tested benefits. A mixed-age couple—where one partner is over State Pension age and the other is under it—can no longer claim Pension Credit or pension-age Housing Benefit until both partners are over State Pension age. Before this, mixed-age couples could access more generous State Pension age benefits when just one partner reached State Pension age.
Additional Financial Support for Pension Credit Recipients
If you qualify for Pension Credit, you may also be entitled to other forms of financial support, including:
- Housing Benefit if you rent your home
- Support for Mortgage Interest if you own your home
- Council Tax discounts
- Free TV license for individuals aged 75 or older
- Help with NHS dental treatment, glasses, and transportation to hospital appointments
- Assistance with heating costs through the Warm Home Discount Scheme and Winter Fuel Payment
- A discount on the Royal Mail redirection service when moving home
How to Check Eligibility and Apply
Older individuals or their family members can easily check their eligibility for Pension Credit and estimate the benefits they might receive using the online calculator on GOV.UK. Alternatively, pensioners can claim directly by calling the Pension Credit helpline at 0800 99 1234, available Monday through Friday, 8 am to 6 pm.
Additional expert support is available through organizations like Independent Age, Income Max, Citizens Advice, and Age UK.
Attendance Allowance: Key Support for Older People with Disabilities
Attendance Allowance assists over 1.6 million older individuals in Great Britain, including 146,287 in Scotland, with the additional costs of a disability, long-term illness, or health condition. Unlike many other benefits, Attendance Allowance is not means-tested, meaning your income and savings do not affect your eligibility.
Pensioners who qualify for Attendance Allowance receive either £72.65 (lower rate) or £108.55 (higher rate) per week, amounting to £290.60 or £434.20 every four-week payment period. This could total up to £5,644 in the 2024-2025 financial year.
Who Is Eligible for Attendance Allowance?
You should consider applying for Attendance Allowance if you:
- Need help or supervision during the day or night due to a physical or mental health condition, disability, or long-term illness
- Experience difficulty with tasks like dressing, eating, bathing, or using the toilet
- Have a condition that requires supervision for your safety, such as a mental health condition, learning difficulty, or sensory impairment (e.g., deafness or vision problems)
Attendance Allowance is available regardless of whether you have someone caring for you. It is also tax-free and does not count toward the Benefit Cap, meaning you can still receive other benefits.
How to Apply for Attendance Allowance
To apply for Attendance Allowance, you must complete a detailed claim form. While the form may seem intimidating, assistance is available from Citizens Advice, Independent Age, and other support services. Full details of how to obtain the application form by post or phone are available on GOV.UK.
By claiming these benefits, pensioners can significantly boost their income and access vital support, particularly during the winter months.
Manish Kumar is a seasoned journalist and the Senior Editor at NewIndiaNetwork.com, with over a decade of experience in uncovering stories that matter. A leader both in the newsroom and beyond, he thrives on guiding his team to deliver impactful, thought-provoking content. When he’s not shaping headlines, you can find him sharing his insights on Twitter @humanish95 or connecting via email at manishdhanda60@gmail.com.
