Benefits and welfare

You may be eligible for Pension Credit

If you are pension age, and your weekly income from pensions and earnings is less than £238 for a single person (or £363.25 for a couple if you are both pension age), then you may be able to claim Pension Credit. (If your income is too high, you may still be entitled to Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support. Call Cornwall Council's Benefits team on 0300 1234 121 to see if you're eligible).

Claims for Pension Credit can now be made online or call the Pension Credit helpline on 0800 991 234.

Claiming Pension Credit could mean you are entitled to other benefits, like:

• Housing benefit – to help pay your rent
• The Winter Fuel Payment
• A free television licence for over 75s
• Help with NHS costs, like dental treatment

Winter Fuel Payments

The Department for Work and Pensions provides the Winter Fuel Payment to older people to help with heating costs during the winter. Eligible individuals can receive between £250 and £600 depending on their age and circumstances.

Who is eligible? You can get a Winter Fuel Payment if you were born on or before 27 June 1960 and live in England or Wales.

You may need to apply. Many eligible tenants will receive the Winter Fuel Payment automatically, typically between November and December. However, if you have not received it before or you’ve recently moved, you may need to apply. The qualifying week is from 21 to 27 September 2026.

Find out if you need to apply

Bedroom Tax

If you are a working age resident with spare bedrooms in your home, you may see a reduction in your Housing Benefit or Universal Credit. It could be reduced by 14% if you have one spare bedroom, or 25% if you have two or more spare bedrooms. 

There are some exemptions, such as:

• Couples with disabilities who cannot share a bedroom
• Disabled children who need their own room
• Overnight carers who don’t normally live in the property
• If, because of the bedroom tax, your Housing Benefit or Universal Credit Housing Element doesn't cover your rent, you may be able to apply for a Discretionary Housing Payment through Cornwall Council. Find out more in the Discretionary Housing Payment Factsheet.
• The Crisis Resilience fund (CRF) offers crisis payments, housing related support (previously discretionary housing payments). To apply for help with rent if you are affected by a spare room reduction in your benefit you can apply via the Crisis and Resilience Fund application form.

If you have any questions about claiming benefits, the MoneyHelper website offers lots of helpful advice.