DWP benefits worth up to £9,940 a year available after Government announcement

Older people across the country might not realise they could qualify for two separate benefits, collectively worth up to £9,542 in the current financial year.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) recently revealed that due to changes in eligibility rules, 9.2 million individuals over the State Pension age missed out on the Winter Fuel Payment for 2024/25. This figure is set to rise to £9,940 for 2025/26 following the annual uprating in April.

Pension Credit, aimed at those over the State Pension age with a low income, can boost yearly income by approximately £4,200 on average. Meanwhile, Attendance Allowance offers additional financial aid of up to £434 each month - equating to around £5,642 annually - for those living with a long-term health condition or disability.

From April, Attendance Allowance payments will increase by 1.7 per cent, making them worth either £5740 over 2025/26 for those on the higher rate, and £3,842 for individuals on the standard rate.

Currently, there are 12.9 million people over the State Pension age, and the DWP estimates that 760,000 are eligible for Pension Credit but are not claiming this income-related benefit. Similarly, it is believed that over one million pensioners could be eligible for Attendance Allowance, which is unaffected by income or savings, tax-free, and not considered as income when applying for Pension Credit, reports the Daily Record.

Pension Credit currently aids 1.4 million individuals, including 125,000 residing in Scotland. It boosts weekly income to a guaranteed minimum of £218.15 for single pensioners and £332.95 for couples, averaging an annual benefit of £3,900.

If you are a single person on the New State Pension with a total weekly income below £218.15, or