Administration of Housing Benefit and Pension Credit
Published 14 July 2026
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/bringing-together-the-administration-of-pensioner-housing-benefit-and-pension-credit/administration-of-housing-benefit-and-pension-credit
Apply for Housing Benefit and Pension Credit
Work is ongoing to deliver a new joined-up service for customers to apply for pensioner Housing Benefit and Pension Credit together. 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.
This will start with an online claim channel for a small cohort of invited customers from autumn 2026 and will subsequently iterate, based on user feedback and testing, to support all customers across all available channels (online, post, phone and in-person). Over time, customers will be able to access the service in the way that best meets their needs, making it easier for pensioners to claim additional financial support.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) recognises the expertise and experience of local authorities and will continue working in close partnership with them as work progresses. This collaboration includes an established working group consisting of local authority representatives, local authority Housing Benefit processors who have been seconded into the project and sharing regular project updates to support effective delivery of the new service.
Local authorities have participated in the research, testing and feedback of designs to ensure the new service works for both customers and colleagues who deliver services every day to pensioners. Local authority collaboration continues to be key in developing the new service. It is important to highlight and reassure that the new service does not replace any current operational responsibilities for benefit award decision making. Housing Benefit will remain with local authorities and Pension Credit will remain with DWP.
Alpha assessment
The Government Digital Service alpha assessment report is available here.