How losing a partner affects Pension Credit, when a new claim may be needed, and the 2026/27 rates to check after bereavement.
This guide is part of ProbateHelp's Support & Benefits guide cluster. Estimated reading time: 10 min.
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Pension Credit payments stop when the claimant dies. If you were named on a joint claim, you must report the death to the Pension Service immediately on 0800 731 0469. Any payments made after the date of death are overpayments and must be returned. You will then need to make a new claim in your own name if you think you may be eligible as a single person.
Yes. This is exactly the situation where many people miss out. As a single person, the Guarantee Credit threshold is £238 per week for 2026/27, and your income is now assessed on your own finances rather than jointly. If your income has fallen after the death, you may now qualify for the first time. Claim as soon as possible and ask for backdating.
Pension Credit is often a gateway benefit. If you get it, you may also qualify for Council Tax Reduction, Housing Benefit if you rent, Support for Mortgage Interest if you own your home, help with NHS costs if you get Guarantee Credit, Cold Weather Payments and a free TV licence if you are 75 or over. Winter Fuel Payment has separate rules, so check GOV.UK for the current winter.
Not necessarily. There is no upper savings limit for Pension Credit. However, savings above £10,000 are treated as generating a notional income of £1 per week for every £500 over £10,000. For example, £15,000 in savings counts as £10 per week of income. This is added to your actual income when calculating your entitlement. You may still qualify even with substantial savings if your actual income is low.
Yes, if you have already claimed your State Pension and have no children or young people in your claim, you can apply online at gov.uk/pension-credit. Otherwise, call the Pension Credit claim line on 0800 99 1234 (Monday to Friday, 8am–6pm). A friend or family member can call on your behalf if needed.
Pension Credit can be backdated by up to 3 months from the date you apply, provided you were eligible during that period. This means if you were eligible from the date of your partner's death but did not claim immediately, you can still recover up to 3 months of payments. Do not delay — every week you wait is a week you cannot recover beyond the 3-month window.
Bereavement Support Payment (BSP) is not counted as income for Pension Credit purposes, so receiving BSP will not reduce your Pension Credit entitlement. However, BSP is only available to people under State Pension age, so in most cases the two benefits will not overlap.
Yes — your circumstances may have changed significantly since your last claim, particularly if your partner has recently died. Income and savings levels change, and eligibility is reassessed on current circumstances each time you apply. There is no penalty for reapplying, and Age UK and Citizens Advice can help you make the strongest possible application.