DWP update on state pension £55 per week boost for those born before this date

The Department for Work and Pensions has clarified when individuals can receive a significant increase to their state pension. Under certain conditions, anyone over the age of 80 can get a boost to their pension.

In a parliamentary question this week, DUP MP Gregory Campbell asked the DWP how many people aged 80 and over are eligible for the additional £260 per year pension. Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions) Torsten Bell responded that as of the quarter ending May 2024, there were 87,299 total claimants of a Category D pension, both in the UK and abroad.

He elaborated: ” This is a non-contributory State Pension that is paid to those aged over 80 who have no State Pension or who receive an amount that is less than the Category D rate of £101.55 a week (£105.70 after April 2025). There are also residency conditions that must be met in order to be eligible.”

Mr Campbell then queried: “What steps is his Department is taking to advise people that they may be eligible for the additional pension payments? “

Mr Bell answered: “Those who are ordinarily resident in Great Britain on their 80th birthday and who meet the required residency conditions will receive the increase automatically without having to make a claim if their basic State Pension is less than £101.55 a week (£105.70 from April 2025).

“Those who are getting no State Pension at age 80 or who get Graduated Retirement Benefit only, will need to make a claim.”

“The Category D over 80 pension is not part of the new State Pension, but it continues to be available for people who reached State Pension age before 6 April 2016. Information about the over 80 pension is available on Gov.uk.”

Anyone turning 80 – meaning they were born prior to January 23, 1965, could qualify for the upgrade. The DWP states on the Gov website: “The over 80 pension is a State Pension for people aged 80 or over. To be eligible you must get either a basic State Pension of less than £101.55 a week, or no basic State Pension at all. It can give you £101.55 a week in the 2024 to 2025 tax year.”

The DWP clarifies that what you receive depends on how much basic State Pension you get, if any.

“If you do not get the basic State Pension or you get less than £101.55 a week, you could get the difference paid up to this amount.”

“For example, if you’re 80 years old and you get £43 a week basic State Pension, your basic State Pension may be topped up by £58.55 to £101.55 a week.”

Individuals cannot receive the over 80 pension if they reached State Pension age on or after 6 April 2016. The over 80 pension can be claimed if all of the following conditions are met: Eligibility for the over 80 pension is not based on National Insurance contributions.

How to claim:

You can obtain a claim form from either your local Jobcentre Plus or the Pension Service. The earliest you can claim is 3 months before your 80th birthday.

Obtain a claim form from the Pension Service.

To get a claim form, contact the Pension Service on 0800 731 7898. For textphone users, dial 0800 731 7339.

If you cannot hear or speak on the phone, use Relay UK: 18001 then 0800 731 7898. British Sign Language (BSL) video relay service is available if you’re using a computer – find out how to use the service on mobile or tablet.

Welsh speakers can call 0800 731 7936 and for Welsh language textphone, dial 0800 731 7013. The lines are open Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm (except public holidays).

Find out about call charges and more about claiming it on the .gov website here.