DWP issues Pension Credit update as pensioners getting £3,900 boost quicker - how to claim

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is currently processing the majority of new Pension Credit claims within 50 working days.

The benefits and pensions department confirmed that around 78% of all new claims were processed within the planned timescale. This is a small increase from the 77.7% of claims in 2023-24.

The confirmation came in the form of a written response from Pensions Minister Torsten Bell. In response to a question from Liberal Democrat MP Chris Coghlan, the DWP Minister said the DWP was “working hard to meet its published timeliness standard of processing claims and reduce Pension Credit processing times”.

He also revealed that the DWP redeployed over 500 members of staff, to help clear more Pension Credit claims. He explained: "The latest Pension Credit published statistics show DWP cleared 211,600 Pension Credit claims from July, 29 2024 to February, 9 2025, representing an 87% increase in clearance compared to 112,900 cleared Pension Credit claims for the comparable 2023/24 period

He noted that its latest published statistics up to February 3025, also showed that the outstanding number of Pension Credit applications had also reduced. He added: “Escalation arrangements are also in place for cases where individuals are identified as being vulnerable or in immediate hardship.”

The next publication on specific DWP statistics in its Annual Report and Accounts (ARA) will include claims processed in the financial year 2024 to 2025 and is due for publication in the summer.

Pension Credit is a benefit for people who have reached state pension age and are on a low income. The DWP benefit consists of two elements, which is:

• Guarantee credit which tops up your weekly income to the minimum guaranteed level - if you’re eligible to claim, your weekly income will be topped up to £227.10 a week, or to £346.60 if you’re in a couple.
• Savings credit, which is a small top-up for people who reached state pension age before 6 April 2016 who have a modest amount of income or savings

If you claim Pension Credit, you could also be entitled to extra things such as a Winter Fuel Payments, discounts on council tax, and housing benefit. According to the DWP, the average income boost you can get sits at around £3,900 a year. Some could see a boost of up to £4,300.

Nearly 1.4 million older people across Great Britain claim it currently, and many more could be eligible. You can apply for Pension Credit online on the Government's website, by calling 0800 99 1234, or by printing out and filling in a paper application form. You can get a friend or family member to ring for you, but you'll need to be with them when they do.

If your claim is successful, you will also receive three months of back payments, so you could receive a substantial financial boost when you are first paid.