Number of successful pension credit applications jumps by 64%

Almost 50,000 more pensioners are getting pension credit support following a surge in applications.

According to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), 117,800 pension credit claims were awarded between 29 July 2024 and 23 February 2025.

That’s up from 72,000 between 31 July 2023 and 25 Feb 2024 - an increase of 64%.

The upturn comes after the government announced that winter fuel payments would be limited to people receiving pension credit or other means-tested benefits.

Following the announcement, the DWP launched a campaign to raise awareness of pension credit and encourage eligible people to apply.

“I’m delighted we’ve been able to reach so many pensioners who need to be on pension credit, which can be a lifeline to so many on low incomes,” said work and pensions secretary Liz Kendall.

Government wants to drive up claims further

The government now wants to build on the success of this campaign by looking at other ways of reaching people eligible to claim pension credit.

Among the options being considered are:

• writing to pensioners who make a new claim for housing benefit who appear to be entitled to pension credit
• researching what factors encourage people to apply and what’s stopping them
• working across departments including HMRC to identify pensioners who might be eligible for pension credit

Ms Kendall said: “We are absolutely committed to ensuring every pensioner is supported in their retirement, whether through our ongoing pension credit campaign, extending the household support fund and our commitment to the triple lock on the state pension.”

Don’t miss out 

You can make a claim for pension credit on the government website.

If you’re not sure if you qualify, give us a ring and we’ll check for you. 

We can also help you find out if you're receiving all the benefits you're entitled to, or you can use our free benefits calculator to see if you might be eligible for additional support.