Martin Lewis says '100,000s' missing out on DWP benefit worth '£3k a year' - how to claim

Martin Lewis has spoken out about a DWP benefit hundreds of thousands of people are failing to claim every year. The financial expert made the remarks while sharing his views on plans by Prime Minister Andy Burnham to abolish the so-called state pension triple lock. The triple lock ensures the state pension increases annually by whichever is highest out of earnings, inflation or 2.5 per cent, but is placing growing strain on UK public finances.

On Tuesday, the PM committed to reforming the scheme into a double lock by removing the link to earnings. Now Martin Lewis, founder of the MoneySavingExpert website and a familiar face on both BBC and ITV , has set out what he believes the government must do next. And it centres entirely on a benefit administered by the Department for Work and Pensions. In a post on X, he said: "If the triple lock on pensions will be scrapped.

The 1st priority is to fix Pension Credit - the top up for the lowest earning pensioners to give them a basic minimum income. Shamefully many 100,000s of the poorest pensions still miss out on what they're entitled to." He has previously described it as a 'national tragedy' that so many eligible people fail to claim the benefit. Campaigners for older people say it provides an average of an extra £3,000 for those who qualify.

Pension Credit was claimed by around 1.39 million people in August 2025, according to government figures . It provides additional financial support for those over State Pension age who are on a low income, and can also help with housing costs such as ground rent or service charges. You might receive extra support if you are a carer, severely disabled, or responsible for a child or young person, the government says. Pension Credit is separate from your State Pension.

Officials say that you can qualify for Pension Credit even if you have other income, savings or own your own home. Yet a significant number of eligible people fail to claim it. Pension Credit tops up your weekly income to £238 if you're single, or your joint weekly income to £363.25 if you have a partner. You may get extra amounts if you have other responsibilities and costs. The top up and extra amounts are known as 'Guarantee Credit'.

Those with a severe disability could receive an additional £86.05 per week, provided they are in receipt of Attendance Allowance or certain other qualifying benefits. Further support may also be available for those who care for another adult or are responsible for children or young people. For full details, see the gov.uk web page . Age UK highlights that a number of misconceptions surround claiming Pension Credit. Its website states: "The average Pension Credit payment is actually over £65 per week – that's well over an extra £3,000 per year.

Even if you only got a few pounds, getting Pension Credit can provide a passport to help with things like rent, council tax, Cold Weather Payments, a free TV licence for people aged 75+ and extra support with the cost-of-living crisis." Independent Age has said there are many reasons why people are not claiming. Its website states: "The reasons why people don't take up benefits include a lack of awareness of the benefit, lack of awareness of entitlement, and the stigma of receiving a benefit.

Independent Age is urging people to apply for Pension Credit as they may be eligible even if they don't think they are. Although it is means tested, you may still qualify for it even if you have savings or own your home." DWP figures from October 2025 revealed that as many as 910,000 families entitled to Pension Credit had not made a claim. Official data within that report indicates that 71% of the total amount of Pension Credit that could have been claimed was actually claimed during the 2024 tax year, representing a decline from the 2023 tax year, when the figure stood at 78%.

According to Pension Awareness , figures indicate that £1.7 billion in Pension Credit remains unclaimed, with hundreds of thousands of households currently failing to claim the benefit despite being eligible to do so. To claim Pension Credit or to find out more about the benefit and eligibility criteria, visit the dedicated government webpage . Mr Burnham announced on Tuesday that under his triple lock proposal, the state pension would increase in line with inflation or 2.5% from 2030, severing the triple lock's automatic connection to rises in average earnings.

However, officials said the pension would also increase by more than this in certain years where necessary, in order to maintain its value relative to earnings. For more MoneySavingExpert money-saving tips, visit the website .