With the cost of living rising and the means testing of the Winter Fuel Allowance, plus no further Cost of Living payments being announced, many older people are struggling to afford the basics.
Here are the DWP benefits, discounts and deals millions of pensioners are missing out on – and how to apply.
Pension Credit
Pension Credit is the most under-claimed benefit, aimed at providing extra financial support for older people on low incomes – both singles and couples.
You must live in England, Scotland or Wales and have reached State Pension age to qualify for Pension Credit. To qualify, you’ll need to have a weekly income of less than £227.10 if you’re single or £346.60 if you have a partner.
If your income is higher, you may still be eligible for Pension Credit if you have a disability, you care for someone, you have savings or you have to pay certain housing costs, such as mortgage interest payments.
It used to be the case that couples, where one person was over state pension age, could claim, but new rules now mean that both people in a couple must be over state pension age to apply. So, if you’re single and move in with a partner who is younger than the threshold, you will stop being eligible.
But if you’re already receiving pension credit under the old system it won’t stop unless your circumstances change.
How to claim Pension Credit
You can claim the benefit online or by calling the Pension Credit claim line on 0800 99 1234.
Before you ring up it’s worth having your details ready and to hand – this is things like your National Insurance number, bank account details and information about your income, savings and investments.
Free Prescriptions
Everyone aged over 60 gets free prescriptions. You’re also entitled to a free NHS sight test, so you should let your optician know when you reach 60.
Depending on your circumstances, you could also get help with:
- NHS dental treatment
- the cost of glasses or contact lenses
- NHS wigs and fabric supports
- travel costs to receive NHS treatment.
Free Passport
If you were born on or before September 2, 1929, and are a British citizen, you may be eligible for a free passport. More information and application details can be found on here.
Free/discounted TV Licences
TV licences are now only free for people who receive Pension Credit. However, people over State Pension age who are registered as severely sight-impaired or blind may qualify for a half-price TV licence. There’s details of who is eligible and how to apply on the gov.uk site.
Cold Weather Payments
These are extra payments for people receiving certain benefits, such as Pension Credit, when there’s very cold weather. A Cold Weather Payment is £25 a week for each 7-day period – or forecasted 7-day period – of cold weather. This only applies between 1 November and 31 March each year.
Warm Home Discount
If you receive Pension Credit or you’re on a low income with high energy costs, you might be entitled to a £150 reduction on your electricity bill through the Warm Home Discount scheme. Check with your provider. This has also become more generous this year, applying to 2.7m more low income households winter 2025/26, so apply, even if you’ve been rejected previously.
Martin Lewis says: “That’s good as it’s a terribly implemented system which left many, literally, unfairly out in the cold.”
Over 60 free bus pass, senior railcard and transport concessions
If you’re 60 or over or you have a disability, you might be eligible for public transport concessions – from a senior rail card to a free bus pass.
In England you can get a bus pass for free travel when you reach the State Pension age.
In Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland you can get a bus pass when you reach 60.
Social tariffs on broadband, phone, water and internet bills
Social tariffs are cheaper broadband, phone and water packages for people claiming DWP benefits, but millions of people are missing out because they aren’t aware of the support available.
Martin Lewis discussed these tariffs on his programme, causing a spike of interest in these ‘essential’ or ‘basic’ broadband and phone packages, which are available to people on Universal Credit, Pension Credit and some disability benefits.
They’re delivered in the same way as normal packages, just at a lower price, and sometimes with better terms, such as no mid-contract increases. They could cut your broadband or phone bill to £10, but many don’t realise they can apply. There’s a full guide here – if you aren’t sure, ask your supplier.
Council Tax Assistance
There’s no set amount of Council Tax Reduction – it depends on your circumstances and where you live. Each council operates its own Council Tax Reduction scheme, so the amounts of support given across the country may vary.
Wherever you live, the amount of Council Tax Reduction you get depends on many factors, including:
- your age
- your income, including any benefits you receive
- your savings
- who you live with
- how much Council Tax you pay.
You may get more Council Tax Reduction if you receive a disability or carer’s benefit. Also, if you live alone, you can apply for a single person’s discount of 25%.
Age UK has some helpful information on this. If you receive the Guarantee Credit part of Pension Credit you may even get your Council Tax paid in full.
Housing Benefit
This can help you cover your rent, and you can make a new claim for Housing Benefit if you’re State Pension age or over (unlike younger claimants).
If you and your partner aren’t State Pension age and you need help with paying your rent, you can only claim Housing Benefit if you live in supported, sheltered or temporary housing. Otherwise, you’ll need to make a claim for Universal Credit instead.
If you own your home and you’re having trouble paying the interest on your mortgage, you might be eligible for a Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI) loan.
Disability benefits and help for carers
These benefits include:
Personal Independence Payment (PIP) – if you’re under State Pension age, if you reached State Pension age while claiming PIP this will continue
Disability Living Allowance (DLA) – you will need to have been already claiming this before you reached State Pension age
Attendance Allowance – if you’re over State Pension age and have not claimed DLA or PIP
Carer’s Allowance – if you are a carer or someone cares for you, there can be funding to help with this. The rules have become more generous on this, so even if you weren’t previously eligible, it’s worth checking. You could get £83.30 a week if you care for someone at least 35 hours a week and they get certain benefits.
Winter Fuel Payment
There were controversial changes to these payments last year. If you or your partner are over State Pension age and receive a qualifying benefit (usually Pension Credit), you could get £200 towards your bills. If you or your partner are over 80, you could get £300.
You’re not entitled to Winter Fuel Payment if you live in a care home or nursing home during the period 23 June to 21 September 2025.
Loyalty cards, discounts and deals
Many shops offer deals and discounts for over 60s, and some have special days with extra bargains.
B&Q, for example, has a Diamond Card offering over-60s 10 per cent off purchases on Wednesdays. Iceland offers 10% off your shopping every Tuesday when you show valid ID and an Iceland Bonus card.
If you have a Boots Advantage Card and are over 60, you will get ten loyalty points for every £1 spent on own-brand products, up from the usual four.
Have we missed some great deals or discounts for pensioners? Please drop us a line to [email protected]
And, as always, don’t be afraid to apply for a discount or ask for a better deal.
