DWP rule means 60,000 won't get Pension Credit despite qualifying

60,000 people who have a small enough income to claim Pension Credit, and are over State Pension age so they qualify, are unable to get the benefit because of a Department for Work and Pensions Rule. The credit is seen as a 'gateway benefit' because not only does it top up your pension with additional payments, it opens the door to other benefits from Winter Fuel Payments to a free TV licence.

It opens up access to Housing Benefit, the Warm Home Discount Scheme, mortgage payment help, Council Tax discount and help with NHS prescriptions as well as other benefits and discounts.

But thousands of people cannot get it despite being on low incomes - below £218 a week. Since 2019, the rule has been that if you are in a couple and one is over State Pension age, while one is under, you must, as a couple, claim Universal Credit rather than Pension Credit.

60,000 people claim Universal Credit instead of Pension Credit because of this rule - disqualifying them from some of the other support. It is also harder to get Universal Credit backdated when you claim, according to AgeUK.

Some people on Universal Credit can still qualify for Winter Fuel Payments.

Pension Credit is designed to provide financial support to individuals who have reached State Pension age and have a low income. It helps boost their income to a minimum level and can also provide additional benefits. There are two types of Pension Credit:

Pension Credit is not automatically given, so eligible individuals need to apply for it. It's a means-tested benefit, meaning that the amount depends on your income, savings, and circumstances.

Universal Credit provides financial support to individuals and families with low income or who are out of work. It combines multiple older