State pensioners are being handed a boost of up to £566 from April with a single claim to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

The money is available via Pension Credit, which is awarded to people of State Pension age in England, Scotland or Wales on a low income to help with living costs. Under the current rates, the benefit tops up your weekly income to £227.10 if you’re single, or your joint weekly income to £346.60 if you have a partner. But from April 6, these rates are due to rise by 4.8% which will give eligible single pensioners an annual cash boost of more than £500. The DWP has confirmed the Pension Credit standard minimum guarantee for the 2026/27 tax year will increase from £227.10 per week to £238 in April. This will give single claimants an extra £10.90 per week, which amounts to an extra £566.80 per year.

The joint rate is also increasing by 4.8% from £346.60 per week to £363.25 in April, giving couples an extra £16.65 per week, or £865.80 more annually.

The uprating to Pension Credit comes alongside increases to the new and basic State Pension rates, which are also both increasing by 4.8% in April.

But Pension Credit is paid separately to the State Pension and if you’re eligible to claim it, it also unlocks access to a wealth of extra financial support, including help with housing costs, Council Tax discounts, the Winter Fuel Payment, NHS treatment costs, and a free TV licence if you’re aged 75 or over.

According to the DWP, the benefit is worth more than £3,900 per year and is considered a “gateway” to several other discounts an freebies that can help ease the financial burden for pensioner households.

Sarah Pennells, consumer finance specialist at Royal London, said: “Pension Credit is a valuable benefit because it is a ‘gateway’ benefit. That means, if you’re able to claim it, you may also be able to get help with housing costs (through Council Tax discount and Housing Benefit or Support for Mortgage Interest).

“You’re also eligible for a free TV licence if you’re aged 75 or over and you may be able to get help with NHS dental treatment, prescriptions and transport costs.

“If you’re entitled to these benefits, the state help you get could be very valuable and that could make a real difference to your finances. However, hundreds of thousands of people are missing out on Pension Credit. Our research showed that two in five people over State Pension age hadn’t checked to see if they were entitled to Pension Credit.”

The DWP launched a new trial at the end of last year to help boost Pension Credit take up among pensioners after new analysis showed large regional disparities, with uptake lowest in the South West.

Minister for Pensions Torsten Bell said: “We’re committed to supporting harder-up pensioners however we can. Pension Credit is a simple way to give those who need it the most some extra support with bills or a free TV licence.

“I’d urge anyone who thinks they, or anyone they know, might be able to claim Pension Credit, to take a few minutes out of their day to check and apply. This country’s pensioners deserve every penny they are entitled to.”

You must live in England, Scotland or Wales and have reached State Pension age – which is currently 66 for both men and women – to qualify for Pension Credit.

When you apply for the benefit your income is calculated and this includes your State Pension, other pensions, earnings from employment and self-employment and most social security benefits.

You can use the DWP’s Pension Credit calculator to get an estimate of how much you could get and you can start your application up to four months before you reach State Pension age.

You can apply any time after you reach State Pension age but your application can only be backdated by three months, so you’ll get up to three months of Pension Credit in your first payment if you were eligible during that time.