The DWP is delivering a new service to apply for pensioner Housing Benefit and Pension Credit (Image: Getty)
More state pensioners across the UK will be handed benefits as the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) confirms a change from autumn.
The DWP has announced plans to deliver a new joined-up service that will allow pensioners to apply for pensioner Housing Benefit and Pension Credit together. This process is due to start with an online claim channel for “a small cohort of invited customers” from autumn 2026, with plans to later expand this further to include post, phone and in-person applications. The DWP said over time this new service will make it easier for pensioners to claim additional financial support and enable more people access benefits they are entitled to.
To deliver this new service, the DWP has been working in partnership with local authorities to help research, test and provide feedback to ensure it works for both customers and staff.
This collaboration includes an established working group consisting of local authority representatives, local authority Housing benefit processors and sharing regular project updates.
Confirming the plans in an update on Tuesday, July 14, the DWP said: “Work is ongoing to deliver a new joined-up service for customers to apply for pensioner Housing Benefit and Pension Credit together.
“Through bringing together the administration of pensioner Housing Benefit and Pension Credit, we are designing a service which is easy to use to enable more pensioners to receive the benefits they are entitled to.
“This will start with an online claim channel for a small cohort of invited customers from autumn 2026 and will subsequently iterate, based on user feedback and testing, to support all customers across all available channels (online, post, phone and in-person).
“Over time, customers will be able to access the service in the way that best meets their needs, making it easier for pensioners to claim additional financial support.”
Pension Credit provides people of State Pension age and on a low income extra money to help with living costs and is paid separately to the State Pension.
The benefit tops up your weekly income to £238 if you’re single, or your joint weekly income to £363.25 if you have a partner, and it can also unlock access to other financial help – including Housing benefit if you rent the property you live in.
Housing Benefit can help you pay your rent if you’re unemployed, on a low income or claiming benefits, and the amount you get depends on whether you rent privately or from a council.
If you have reached State Pension age, you can apply for Housing Benefit as part of your Pension Credit application and the Pension Service will send details of your claim to your council.
The DWP said the new service will not replace any current operations for benefit award decisions, adding that Housing benefit will remain with local authorities and Pension Credit will remain with the DWP.
It added: “Local authorities have participated in the research, testing and feedback of designs to ensure the new service works for both customers and colleagues who deliver services every day to pensioners. Local authority collaboration continues to be key in developing the new service.
“It is important to highlight and reassure that the new service does not replace any current operational responsibilities for benefit award decision making. Housing Benefit will remain with local authorities and Pension Credit will remain with DWP.”