Guides › Pensions and Retirement › Pension Credit: Claiming and Challenging a Refusal
Pension Credit: Claiming and Challenging a Refusal
Pension Credit tops up your weekly income to £238 if you are single or £363.25 for a couple, if you have reached State Pension age and live in England, Scotland or Wales. Claims can be backdated by up to 3 months. If you are refused, ask for a mandatory reconsideration, usually within one month.
At a Glance
Your Rights
What the rules say, with a link to the official source for each.
Claiming
Who Can Get It
You must live in England, Scotland or Wales and have reached State Pension age. Pension Credit tops up weekly income to £238 if single, or £363.25 joint income with a partner. source
How to Claim
Claim online if you have already applied for your State Pension, or call 0800 99 1234 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm). Claims can be backdated by 3 months, and you can apply up to 4 months before reaching State Pension age. source
If You Are Refused
Reconsideration
You can ask for a Pension Credit decision to be looked at again (mandatory reconsideration), usually within one month of the decision, then appeal to a tribunal. source
Time Limits to Know
Miss a deadline and you can lose a right. Check the dates on your own paperwork.
- 3 monthsBackdatingOf a Pension Credit claim
- 1 monthAsk for a reconsiderationFrom the decision
Steps to Take
Step 1 of 5
Check whether your income is below the amounts above.
Step 2 of 5
Claim online or by phone.
Step 3 of 5
Ask for the claim to be backdated.
Step 4 of 5
If refused, ask for a mandatory reconsideration within one month.
Step 5 of 5
Get free help from Citizens Advice or Age UK.
(Tap the numbers to reveal steps)
Where to Go If It Is Not Put Right
Your options, in order, and when each one applies.
Pension Credit (GOV.UK)
Claim online or by phone.
Mandatory Reconsideration
If you disagree with a decision.
Good to Know
Small things that make your complaint stronger.
Pension Credit can also unlock other help, such as a free TV Licence for over-75s.
Want Help?
If you would like one of our team to look at your problem, our initial case review is free. We cannot guarantee any outcome and we do not give legal advice.
Lead reviewer
Luke Marley
Founder and Lead Reviewer
Luke founded CPUK in 2026 after seeing how hard it is for ordinary people to get problems with companies put right. He oversees our guides and checks them against official sources.
Research by Katie Burt, Co-founder and Operations Lead (17 years in the care sector, including managing services for vulnerable adults), and the CPUK Research Team. Researched with AI-assisted research tools, then checked and corrected by our team.
Last checked: 13 October 2026. We are not paid by the companies we write about. Adverts never affect our guidance. Read our editorial policy.
Sources and official links
- gov.uk/pension-credit/eligibility Checked 13 October 2026
- gov.uk/pension-credit/how-to-claim Checked 13 October 2026
- gov.uk/mandatory-reconsideration Checked 13 October 2026