State pensioners can get 10 freebies and discounts in August worth £14,214

State pensioners can boost their income by up to £14,214 in August with 10 government freebies and discounts.

Pensioners across the UK have already been handed a bit of extra cash each month thanks to a 4.1% uprating of the State Pension back in April, taking the full basic State Pension up to £176.45 per week (or £9,175.40 per year) and the full new State Pension up to £230.25 per week (or £11,973 per year). According to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), the new 2025/26 rates amount to an extra £360 annually for basic State Pension claimants, while those on the new State Pension will be up to £470 better off per year. But this is only the case if you get the maximum amount, so if you don't have enough qualifying National Insurance years you'll get less than this.

While the new rates have increased monthly payments for pensioners, it is possible for some to boost their income even further by claiming one DWP benefit that can unlock a raft of freebies and discounts worth up to £14,214.20.

Pension Credit provides “a lifeline” in retirement to pensioners on low incomes as it unlocks a raft of extra financial support, including help with housing costs, Council Tax and the Winter Fuel Payment worth up to £300. It takes only 16 minutes on average to apply and alone it is worth around £4,300 per year on average.

Sarah Pennells, consumer finance specialist at Royal London, says: “People can apply for Pension Credit any time, and it could be worth over £4,000 a year. Our research shows that many people are missing out because they haven’t checked to see if they qualify.

“Three in ten people over State Pension age who were on a low income hadn’t checked to see if they were entitled to Pension Credit, while one in ten pensioners who had been told they qualified for Pension Credit have yet to apply.

“You can backdate your claim for Pension Credit by up to three months, and the sooner you claim, the sooner you could start receiving payments. Not only that, but, if you’re entitled to Pension Credit, you’ll be able to get extra help with costs such as rent and Council Tax, which could make a big difference.”

So if you’re in need of a financial boost this month, it’s worth checking your eligibility for Pension Credit - plus one other DWP benefit - as it could unlock financial support worth up to £14,214.20. Listed are 10 freebies and discounts pensioners could claim in August.

The standard minimum guarantee for Pension Credit increased by 4.1% in April taking the single weekly rate up to £227.10 and the joint weekly rate up to £364.60. It means that those getting the single rate now get an extra £8.95 per week, while those on the joint rate get an extra £31.65 per week.

Over the course of a year, this provides those who are single with £465.40 more annually, while couples with a joint weekly income will be £1,645.80 better off per year.

Pension Credit is worth £4,300 extra on average per year and it also unlocks a wealth of other benefits, so if you’re eligible you could also get:

If you rent your home and you get the Guarantee element of Pension Credit then you’re eligible for the maximum Housing Benefit entitlement from your local council. This isn’t a fixed amount, but Martin Lewis’ MSE says you could get around £1,000 per year, and potentially have your rent paid in full.

Pension Credit claimants can get a council tax discount. The exact amount you’ll get depends on your local council, but it can be anything from around £300 for a 25% reduction on a typical Band D bill up to around £1,600 for a 100% discount.

Anyone aged 75 and over and claiming Pension Credit can get £174.50 off their TV Licence bill, cutting it down to £0.

Pension Credit entitles you to help with heating costs through the DWP’s Warm Home Discount scheme, which knocks £150 off your electricity bill. The discount is automatically applied by your electricity supplier by March 31, 2025.

Claiming Pension Credit will also entitle you to free NHS prescriptions, which cost £9.90 per item in England.

If you get any of the Guarantee element of Pension Credit then you are entitled to help with NHS eye care, including a voucher for glasses or contact lenses. According to Martin Lewis’ MSE this could be worth up to £215, depending on your prescription.

Pensioners who qualify for the Guarantee element of Pension Credit are also entitled to free NHS dental treatment, including anything from a simple check up to full dentures. According to Martin Lewis’ MSE this could amount to up to £1,000 worth of free treatment per year.

Pension Credit claimants are entitled to a discount on the Royal Mail redirection service if you’re moving house. The service normally costs £84, but you’ll only have to pay £60 - giving you a saving of £24.

You can start an application for Pension Credit up to four months before you reach State Pension age - which is 66 for both men and women - and any time after, but your application can only be backdated by three months. You can apply online via GOV.UK or by calling the Pension Credit claim line on 0800 99 1234.

Attendance Allowance helps with extra costs if you have a disability severe enough that you need someone to help look after you and is worth £73.90 per week for the lower rate or £110.40 per week for the higher rate.

If you have a severe disability which means you require regular assistance day and night, you could claim the higher amount. There are a total of 56 categories of conditions which could make you eligible. If you get the higher rate this could be worth up to £5,740.80 per year.