State pensioners with partners who are claiming Pension Credit will be handed a cash boost of up to £865 per year from April. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed new payment rates will take effect at the start of the new tax year on April 6, with Pension Credit set to rise by 4.8%.

Pension Credit is awarded to people of State Pension age in England, Scotland or Wales on a low income to help with living costs and is worth around £4,200 per year on average. The benefit is paid separately to the State Pension and if you’re eligible to claim it, it also unlocks access to a wealth of additional financial support, including help with housing costs, Council Tax discounts, the Winter Fuel Payment, NHS treatment costs, and a free TV licence if you’re aged 75 or over.

Currently, Pension Credit tops up your weekly income to £227.10 if you’re single, or your joint weekly income to £346.60 if you have a partner, but these rates will rise by 4.8% from April 6. The DWP has confirmed that in the 2026 to 2027 tax year, the Pension Credit standard minimum guarantee will rise from £227.10 per week to £238 – an increase of £10.90 per week, or a maximum of £566.80 extra per year.

The joint rate is also rising by 4.8%, taking maximum payments from £346.60 per week to £363.25 in April – an increase of £16.65 per week, or £865.80 more annually. The uprating to Pension Credit comes alongside increases to the new and basic State Pension rates, which are also both increasing by 4.8% from April.

Confirming the change in the Autumn Budget, Chancellor Rachel Reeves said: “I am increasing the basic and new State Pension by 4.8%, an increase of £440 per year for the basic State Pension and an increase of £575 per year for the new State Pension in line with our commitment to the triple lock.”

The DWP launched a new trial at the end of last year to help boost Pension Credit take-up among pensioners after new analysis showed large regional disparities, with uptake lowest in the South West.

Minister for Pensions Torsten Bell said: “We’re committed to supporting harder-up pensioners however we can. Pension Credit is a simple way to give those who need it the most some extra support with bills or a free TV licence.

“I’d urge anyone who thinks they, or anyone they know, might be able to claim Pension Credit, to take a few minutes out of their day to check and apply. This country’s pensioners deserve every penny they are entitled to.”

You must live in England, Scotland or Wales and have reached State Pension age – which is currently 66 for both men and women – to qualify for Pension Credit. When you apply for the benefit your income is calculated and this includes your State Pension, other pensions, earnings from employment and self-employment and most social security benefits.

You can use the DWP’s Pension Credit calculator to get an estimate of how much you could get and you can start your application up to four 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 three months, so you’ll get up to three months of Pension Credit in your first payment if you were eligible during that time.