Millions of older people across the UK could boost their income by more than £10,000 a year. Many of the 13 million pensioners across the UK might not realise they could be entitled to two separate benefits, collectively worth up to £10,040 over the 2025/26 financial year.

One of these benefits is not means-tested and is designed to assist older people with long-term health conditions, while the other offers additional financial support to those on a low income. As reported by the Daily Record, Pension Credit aims to aid those above State Pension age on a low income by increasing their annual income by an average of £4,300.

Attendance Allowance or Pension Age Disability Payment (PADP) can offer extra financial assistance of up to £441.60 every month – equating to some £5,740.80 each year. Both these payments are disbursed separately from the State Pension, which is currently valued at up to £230.25 each week, or £921 every four-week payment period. The full, New State Pension will be worth £11,973 this year.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) estimates that 760,000 people are eligible for Pension Credit but are not claiming this income-related benefit.

Similarly, it’s believed that more than one million pensioners are eligible for Attendance Allowance, which is not influenced by income or savings, is tax-free and is not considered as income when applying for Pension Credit.

Pensioners in Scotland can now apply for Pension Age Disability Payment – the benefit replacing Attendance Allowance north of the border. Full details can be found on MYGOV.SCOT here.

Pension Credit

Pension Credit is currently assisting 1.4 million people. It supplements weekly earnings to a guaranteed minimum level of £227.10 for single pensioners or £346.60 for couples.

On average, it amounts to £4,300 this year. If you’re a single person on the New State Pension with a total weekly income below £227.10, or part of a couple with a combined weekly income less than £346.60, you might be eligible for Pension Credit.

A mere award of £1 per week can unlock access to additional financial aid, including the Winter Fuel Payment for 2025/26, or the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment in Scotland.

Elderly people, or their friends and family, can swiftly verify their eligibility and get an estimate of potential benefits using the online Pension Credit calculator available on GOV.UK here.

Alternatively, pensioners can directly contact the Pension Credit helpline to make a claim on 0800 99 1234 – lines are open from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday.

Attendance Allowance

Currently, Attendance Allowance aids nearly 1.7 million elderly people across Great Britain, with the extra daily living costs associated with having a physical or mental health condition, disability or long-term illness. You do not need to have someone caring for you in order to make a claim.

People over the State Pension age who are eligible for Attendance Allowance receive either £73.90 (lower rate) or £110.40 (higher rate) weekly. Given that this benefit is typically disbursed every four weeks, this equates to either £295.60 or £441.60 per payment cycle – a total of approximately £5,740.80 throughout the 2025/26 fiscal year.

You should consider applying for Attendance Allowance if you have a disability or illness and require assistance or supervision during the day or at certain times during the night – even if you’re not currently receiving such help.

This could encompass:

• Assistance with personal care – such as dressing, eating or drinking, getting in and out of bed, bathing or showering, and using the toilet
• Help to ensure your safety.

You should also apply if you encounter difficulties with personal tasks, for instance, if they consume a lot of time, cause discomfort, or necessitate physical support, like leaning on a chair. Attendance Allowance isn’t exclusively for people with a physical disability or illness.

You should also consider applying if you require assistance or supervision throughout the day or night and have:

• A mental health condition
• Learning difficulties
• A sensory condition – such as being deaf or visually impaired

More information on how to obtain the application form by post or over the phone can be found on the GOV.UK website here.