If you or a loved one is in your 80s and living on a low State Pension (or none at all), this little-known DWP payment could make a real difference. DWP over 80 pension eligibility matters because the Over 80 Pension can top income up to a set weekly level in 2025–2026—yet many people simply don’t realise it exists.
Key Takeaways (quick box)
- Over 80 Pension can top you up to £105.70 a week.
- You must be 80+ and meet UK residency conditions.
- You must have reached State Pension age before 6 April 2016.
- National Insurance contributions are not required for eligibility.
- You claim using a form via Jobcentre Plus or the Pension Service.
Direct Answer Summary
The Over 80 Pension is a DWP-run State Pension top-up for people aged 80+ who get little or no basic State Pension. In 2025–2026 it can bring you up to £105.70 a week, if you meet residency rules and did not reach State Pension age on or after 6 April 2016.
What the Over 80 Pension is
The Over 80 Pension (also known as Category D State Pension) is a weekly payment designed for older people who don’t have much (or any) basic State Pension. It isn’t based on your National Insurance record. Instead, it’s about your age, when you reached State Pension age, and whether you meet the UK residency conditions.
Think of it as a top-up safety net: if your basic State Pension is below a set amount, the Over 80 Pension may “fill the gap” up to that level.
ScopMagazine tip: If you’re checking this for a parent or grandparent, do it with them. A second pair of eyes helps spot key dates (especially around 2016).
Who qualifies: DWP over 80 pension eligibility
Age rule
You must be 80 or over to claim.
There’s a practical timing point too: you can start the process shortly before the birthday arrives (more on that in the claiming steps).
State Pension age cutoff rule
This is the rule that catches people out.
You cannot get the Over 80 Pension if you reached State Pension age on or after 6 April 2016.
Why does that date matter? Because 6 April 2016 is when the UK moved to the new State Pension system. The Over 80 Pension sits under the older State Pension framework, so it mainly applies to people who reached State Pension age before that change.
A simple way to sense-check it:
- If you reached State Pension age before 6 April 2016, you may be in the right group (subject to the other rules).
- If you reached State Pension age on or after 6 April 2016, this payment isn’t for you.
If you’re unsure when you reached State Pension age, GOV.UK’s State Pension age tools can help you confirm your date accurately.
Residency rule(explained plainly)
There are two parts:
- “10 years out of 20” UK residence test
You must have been resident in the UK for at least 10 years out of the last 20. Those 10 years do not have to be consecutive. The 20-year window must include the day before you turned 80 or any day after. - “Ordinarily resident” location test
You must have been ordinarily resident in the UK, the Isle of Man or Gibraltar on your 80th birthday (or on the date you claim, if later).
Also worth knowing: GOV.UK notes extra considerations if you live in (or move to) an EEA country or Switzerland, so it’s especially important to follow the official guidance if your situation crosses borders.
How much you could get in 2025–2026
For the 2025–2026 tax year, the Over 80 Pension can top you up to £105.70 a week.
Here’s the key logic (kept simple):
- If you get no basic State Pension, the Over 80 Pension may pay up to £105.70/week.
- If your basic State Pension is below £105.70/week, the Over 80 Pension may pay the difference to bring you up to that amount.
GOV.UK gives a worked example: someone receiving £43/week basic State Pension could be topped up by £62.70 to reach £105.70/week.
Important detail: this is specifically linked to the basic State Pension position (not the newer State Pension amounts).
Step-by-step: how to claim
Claiming is refreshingly old-school: it’s a form-based claim.
- Check the key rules first
Confirm the 2016 cutoff, your age, and that you get little/no basic State Pension. - Get the claim form
You can get a claim form from:
- your local Jobcentre Plus, or
- the Pension Service
- Don’t leave it too late
The earliest you can claim is 3 months before your 80th birthday. - Use GOV.UK for the current contact route
GOV.UK lists the current options for requesting a form and what support is available (including accessibility services). Use the official page so you’re not relying on out-of-date numbers or third-party sites.
Internal guide: For more help spotting eligibility tripwires, see our ScopMagazine explainer: [dwp over 80 pension eligibility] (link to ScopMagazine guide)
Eligibility checklist
Use this as a quick “yes/no” scan before you start a claim:
- You are 80 or over
- You get no basic State Pension, or less than £105.70/week (2025–2026)
- You did not reach State Pension age on or after 6 April 2016
- You were resident in the UK 10 years out of 20 (non-consecutive allowed)
- You were ordinarily resident in the UK/Isle of Man/Gibraltar at age 80 (or when claiming, if later)
- You understand this eligibility is not based on National Insurance contributions
If you tick most boxes but aren’t sure about one (often the residency window), it’s still worth checking GOV.UK carefully before giving up.
Common mistakes and myths
These are the misunderstandings we see most often (and they can stop people claiming money they’re entitled to):
- Myth: “Everyone over 80 gets it automatically.”
Reality: You must meet specific rules and make a claim. - Mistake: Confusing basic State Pension with the new State Pension.
The Over 80 Pension is tied to the basic State Pension position and the pre-2016 system. - Mistake: Missing the 6 April 2016 cutoff.
If you reached State Pension age on/after this date, you can’t get it. - Mistake: Assuming you need a strong National Insurance record.
GOV.UK is clear: eligibility is not based on National Insurance contributions. - Mistake: Overlooking the residency window.
The “10 years out of 20” rule is specific and easy to misread.
Comparison table
Here’s a practical summary you can share with family members or keep by the kettle when you’re sorting paperwork.
| Topic | Who it’s for | Key rules | What you get (2025–2026) | How to claim |
| Over 80 Pension (Category D) | People aged 80+ with little/no basic State Pension | Must be 80+; residency rules apply | Tops up to £105.70/week | Claim form via Jobcentre Plus/Pension Service (GOV.UK) |
| Basic State Pension link | People on the older State Pension system | Your basic State Pension level affects top-up | Over 80 Pension pays the difference up to £105.70 | Evidence/details handled in claim process (GOV.UK) |
| 6 April 2016 cutoff | People who reached State Pension age pre-2016 | Not eligible if reached SPA on/after 6 April 2016 | No Over 80 Pension if you’re on/after cutoff | Check SPA date using official guidance (GOV.UK) |
| Residency test | People with mixed time in/out of UK | UK resident 10 years out of 20 (not consecutive) | Must meet rule to qualify | Review residence history before claiming (GOV.UK) |
| Claim timing | People approaching 80 or already 80+ | Can claim 3 months before 80th birthday | Helps avoid unnecessary delay | Request a form early via GOV.UK route (GOV.UK) |
FAQ
Is the Over 80 Pension the same as the State Pension?
It’s a type of State Pension payment designed for people aged 80+ who get little or no basic State Pension. It’s often described as a top-up to a set weekly level in 2025–2026.
What is the maximum Over 80 Pension amount in 2025–2026?
GOV.UK states it can top you up to £105.70 a week in the 2025–2026 tax year, depending on how much basic State Pension you already receive (if any).
Can I claim if I reached State Pension age after April 2016?
No. GOV.UK says you cannot get the Over 80 Pension if you reached State Pension age on or after 6 April 2016.
Do I need National Insurance contributions to qualify?
Not necessarily. GOV.UK explicitly says your eligibility for the Over 80 Pension is not based on National Insurance contributions.
How early can someone apply?
GOV.UK says the earliest you can claim is 3 months before your 80th birthday.
Final thoughts
If you’re supporting an older relative—or you’re doing your own benefits “spring clean”—the Over 80 Pension is worth a careful look. The rules are specific (especially the 6 April 2016 cutoff and the residency window), but the upside is meaningful for anyone on a low income. For more practical, plain-English support across State Pension and later-life benefits, explore ScopMagazine’s guides—starting with DWP over 80 pension eligibility.
Summary for quick reference
The Over 80 Pension is a State Pension top-up for people aged 80+ who get little or no basic State Pension. In 2025–2026, it can bring you up to £105.70 a week, depending on what you already receive. You must meet residency rules (including being UK resident for 10 years out of the last 20) and you cannot qualify if you reached State Pension age on or after 6 April 2016. Claims are made using a form obtained via Jobcentre Plus or the Pension Service, and you can apply up to three months before turning 80.
