If you're over State Pension age, check Pension Credit first: even a small award unlocks the Warm Home Discount, Cold Weather Payment, help with council tax and a free TV licence at 75.
Checked 8 October 2026Written by the MyBillChecker team
A yearly tax-free payment of £100 to £300 for people born on or before 27 June 1960. Most people get it automatically. If your own taxable income is over £35,000, HMRC takes it back through your tax code or Self Assessment (GOV.UK). In Scotland, the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment replaces it.
Pension Credit
A top-up for people over State Pension age on a low income. It unlocks the Warm Home Discount, Cold Weather Payment, the higher Winter Fuel Payment rate, Council Tax Reduction and a free TV licence at 75 (GOV.UK).
Energy help
Warm Home Discount: £150 off your electricity bill if you got Pension Credit on 23 August 2026, usually automatically (GOV.UK).
Cold Weather Payment: £25 for each 7 days of very cold weather between 1 November 2026 and 31 March 2027, if you get Pension Credit (GOV.UK).
Priority Services Register: free extra help from your energy supplier and network, such as priority support in a power cut (Ofgem).
TV licence
The TV licence is £180 from 1 April 2026 (GOV.UK). It's free if you're 75 or over and you or your partner get Pension Credit, and £7.50 if you live in eligible sheltered housing or a care home and are retired and over 60 (GOV.UK).
Council tax and water
Council Tax Reduction can cut your bill by up to 100% on a low income (GOV.UK).
You get 25% off council tax if you're the only adult at home (GOV.UK).
Some water companies give pensioner discounts, and every water company has a social tariff (CCW).
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to apply for Winter Fuel Payment?
Most people get it automatically. GOV.UK explains when you need to claim.
Is there a pensioner discount on mobile or broadband?
We found no published over-60 or over-65 tariff from the major networks. Social tariffs are open to people on Pension Credit.
