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State pensioners on low incomes and who don't have a partner can get weekly payments of up to £238 from the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) in May thanks to a 4.8% uplift in the current tax year.

The 2026/27 tax year began on April 6 and it introduced a swathe of increases to benefits and pensions to give claimants an extra boost of cash for the coming year. Among the increases was a 4.8% boost to Pension Credit rates which will benefit people of State Pension age in England, Scotland and Wales who are on a low income. Pension Credit provides extra money to help struggling pensioner households with living costs and it is paid separately to the State Pension. You can claim it even if you have other income, savings or you own your own home, and thanks to a 4.8% uplift on April 6, the benefit is now worth £4,3000 per year on average, according to the DWP.

The uplift means the Pension Credit standard minimum guarantee is now worth up to £238 per week for single claimants, up from £227.10 per week previously.

The April change means Pension Credit claimants will now benefit from increased payments, but as the new tax year begins on April 6, some pensioners don't actually get a full month on the new rates until May.

As such, May is the first month of the year when many state pensioners will fully benefit from the new rates. For example, if your Pension Credit was paid between April 1 and April 6, you won't have received the new higher rate, but every payment in May will be at the new amounts of up to £238 per week for those who are single.

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As Pension Credit is usually paid every four weeks, low income pensioners on their own, without a partner, can get up to £1,031.33 per month on average if they're eligible for the full amount. This is up from an average of £948.10 per month under the previous rates, giving single claimants an extra monthly cash boost of up to £83.23.

Over a full year, pensioners can get a maximum of £12,376 in Pension Credit payments under the new rates, up from £11,809.20, giving claimants up to £566.80 extra cash annually.

But it's not just a 4.8% uplift that claimants will benefit from as Pension Credit also unlocks access to wealth of other financial support including housing costs, a Council Tax reduction, free TV licences and help with NHS treatment costs, among others.

Confirming the State Pension and Pension credit increases from April, the DWP said: "The government has already delivered above-inflation increases worth up to £395 in real terms over this Parliament. By its end, pensioners' annual incomes are expected to rise by up to £2,100 - boosting financial security for millions.

"Pension Credit will also rise by 4.8% and be worth an average of £4,300 a year, unlocking further support including help with housing costs, council tax and free television licenses. Between 2026 and 2027, the government will provide a £6 billion boost to spending on State Pensions and pensioner benefits."

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

At the time, 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."

To be eligible for Pension Credit, you must live in England, Scotland or Wales and have reached State Pension age. 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.