The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is urging millions of state pensioners across the UK to check their eligibility for two key benefits that could boost their annual income by as much as £10,000.
It has been revealed that hundreds of thousands of retirees are failing to claim Attendance Allowance and Pension Credit, leaving a significant amount of financial support unclaimed each year.
Unclaimed Financial Support for Pensioners
The DWP estimates that a staggering more than 700,000 people who are eligible for Pension Credit are not currently receiving it. The situation is even more pronounced for Attendance Allowance, where over a million pensioners are believed to be missing out on support they are entitled to.
These benefits are designed to provide crucial financial assistance, yet a lack of awareness or understanding is preventing many from applying.
Understanding Pension Credit
Pension Credit provides extra money to help with living costs for those over State Pension age who are on a low income. It currently supports 1.4 million people in Britain.
This benefit tops up your weekly income to a guaranteed minimum level. For the current financial year, this is £227.10 per week for single pensioners and £346.60 per week for couples.
On average, Pension Credit is worth an extra £4,300 per year. Crucially, even an award of just £1 per week can act as a gateway to other vital support, including:
- Council Tax discounts
- Help with heating bills through the Warm Home Discount Scheme
The Value of Attendance Allowance
Attendance Allowance is for people of State Pension age who need help with personal care due to a disability or long-term health condition.
This benefit is paid at two different rates, depending on the level of care required. The weekly rates are £73.90 or £110.40.
As payments are typically made every four weeks, this amounts to £295.60 or £441.60 per payment period. Over the 2025/26 financial year, this can total up to £5,740.80.
A key advantage of Attendance Allowance is that it is not means-tested. This means your income and savings do not affect your eligibility, and there is no limit on what you can have. It is also tax-free and exempt from the Benefit Cap.
Currently, this benefit supports more than 1.7 million older people across Britain with the extra costs associated with their health conditions.
Combined, these two benefits can provide a substantial financial uplift for pensioners, highlighting the importance of checking your eligibility to ensure you are receiving all the support you are entitled to.
