Pensioners could soon find it much easier to claim two of the UK's most important retirement benefits after the Government confirmed plans to combine the application process.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is developing a new service that will allow eligible pensioners to apply for both Pension Credit and Housing Benefit through a single claim, rather than completing separate applications.
The new system is designed to remove duplication, simplify the process and help more older people receive the financial support they are entitled to.
The first phase will launch in autumn 2026, when a small group of invited customers will be able to apply online. The service will then be expanded following testing and user feedback before becoming available through online, telephone, postal and face-to-face channels.
Announcing the plans, the Government said: "Through bringing together the administration of pensioner Housing Benefit and Pension Credit, we are designing a service which is easy to use to enable more pensioners to receive the benefits they are entitled to."
Why the claims process is changing
Currently, pensioners who qualify for both Pension Credit and Housing Benefit must make separate applications because the two benefits are administered by different organisations.
Pension Credit is managed by the DWP, while Housing Benefit is administered by local authorities.
According to Government analysis, the existing system can require pensioners to interact with multiple organisations and repeat much of the same information.
Officials found that around 27% of the questions asked across both applications overlap, creating unnecessary paperwork and making the process more difficult than it needs to be.
The Government said the aim is to ensure "users only need to tell us information for both benefits once, regardless of which organisation processes the claim and the channel they use."
Up to 100,000 pensioners fall into poverty each year
The DWP said simplifying the application process could help tackle low take-up of Pension Credit and Housing Benefit.
In documents published alongside the project, officials said: "The impact of this fragmentation is significant, with many pension age citizens missing out on vital financial support: up to 100,000 pensioners enter relative poverty each year."
The department hopes removing barriers to claiming will encourage more eligible households to apply.
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What happens next?
Initially, only a small number of invited pensioners will be able to use the online service from autumn 2026.
Following further testing, the Government plans to expand the system so it is available to everyone using whichever method best suits their needs, including online, by post, over the phone or in person.
The DWP stressed that while the application process will become more joined up, responsibility for each benefit will remain unchanged.
Housing Benefit will continue to be administered by local authorities, while Pension Credit will continue to be managed by the DWP.
The department also said it is continuing to work closely with councils throughout the project to ensure the new service works effectively for both claimants and staff.
The new service has already passed its first major milestone
The project has successfully completed its Government Digital Service alpha assessment, receiving a green rating across all 14 areas reviewed.
The assessment praised the team's understanding of users' needs and the work being carried out to create a simpler, more consistent application process for pensioners.
The service will now move into a second phase ahead of a wider rollout.
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