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How to claim pension credits

You can start your application up to 4 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 3 months. This means you can get up to 3 months of Pension Credit in your first payment if you were eligible during that time. 

Information you’ll need 

You’ll need the following information about you and your partner if you have one: 

  • National Insurance number 

  • information about any income, savings and investments you have 

  • information about your income, savings and investments on the date you want to backdate your application to (usually 3 months ago or the date you reached State Pension age) 

  • You’ll also need your bank account details. Depending on how you apply, you may also be asked for your bank or building society name, sort code and account number. 

Apply online 

Visit https://www.gov.uk/pension-credit/how-to-claim and it will take you through what you need and how to apply. You can apply directly when you visit this website. 

Apply by phone 

If no internet access you can phone. A friend or family member can call for you if you cannot use the phone. 

Pension Credit claim line 
Telephone: 0800 99 1234 
Textphone: 0800 169 0133 
Relay UK (if you cannot hear or speak on the phone): 18001 then 0800 99 1234 
British Sign Language (BSL) video relay service if you’re on a computer - find out how to use the service on mobile or tablet 
Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm 

Apply by post 

To apply by post, print out and fill in the Pension Credit claim form or call the claim line to request a form. 

Send the claim form to the Pension Service, or ask someone to do it for you. 

Freepost DWP Pensions Service 3 

Do not write anything except the freepost address on the envelope. You do not need a postcode or a stamp. 

Contact a voluntary organisation like Citizens Advice or Age UK if you need help with the form. 

Pension Credit calculator 

Find out if you’re eligible for Pension Credit and how much you could get. 

You’ll need details of: 

  • earnings, benefits and pensions 

  • savings and investments 

You’ll need the same details for your partner if you have one. 

You cannot use the calculator if you or your partner: 

  • are deferring your State Pension 

  • own more than one property 

  • are self employed 

  • have housing costs (such as service charges or Crown Tenant rent) which are neither mortgage repayments nor rent covered by Housing Benefit 

  • gets Housing Benefit for people over State Pension age, and the other person is under State Pension age 

If you cannot use the calculator, you can call the Pension Credit claim line.