Pensioners Over 80 May Be Eligible for £106 Weekly Payment

Pensioners with specific income levels may be eligible to receive up to £106 per week from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to help with everyday living expenses. According to the latest data from the DWP, over 13 million older adults in the UK currently benefit from the State Pension.

To qualify for this financial support, individuals must have reached the State Pension age of 66 and paid National Insurance (NI) contributions for at least 10 years. However, as noted by the Daily Record, those aged 80 or over who either do not receive the Basic State Pension or receive less than £105.70 per week may be entitled to an additional benefit known as the "over 80 pension".

What is the Over 80 Pension?

The over 80 pension provides £105.70 per week to seniors who aren’t receiving any Basic State Pension or whose payments fall below that amount. This benefit can either serve as the full weekly amount or top up an existing pension. In addition, older individuals on low incomes could also qualify for Pension Credit, which can offer over £4,300 in extra financial support across the 2025/26 financial year.

How to Claim the Over 80 Pension

Eligibility for this pension does not depend on NI contributions. However, you cannot claim it if you reached the State Pension age on or after April 6, 2016, as you would instead fall under the New State Pension system.

To qualify, you must:

• Be 80 years old or older

• Either not receive Basic State Pension or receive less than £105.70 per week

• Have lived in the UK for at least 10 out of the past 20 years, including the day before or any day after your 80th birthday (the 10 years do not have to be consecutive)

• Be considered “ordinarily resident” in the UK, Isle of Man, or Gibraltar on your 80th birthday or at the time of your claim

For UK nationals living in EEA countries or Switzerland, specific rules may apply. For more information, it is recommended to check the GOV.UK website.

You can apply up to three months before your 80th birthday by obtaining a claim form from your local Jobcentre Plus or by contacting the Pension Service at 0800 731 7898.

Pension Credit

This tax-free benefit ensures older individuals have a minimum weekly income. For the 2025/26 financial year, single pensioners are guaranteed at least £227.10 per week, while couples receive £346.60.

Eligibility requires meeting the Pension Credit age threshold (the same as State Pension age) and living in Great Britain.

To check eligibility or estimate your entitlement, visit the Pension Credit calculator on GOV.UK. Alternatively, claims can be made by calling the Pension Credit helpline at 0800 99 1234, available Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm.