The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is handing Brits an extra £16.65 per week in a 4.8% boost. The money is for one group of state pensioners and will be paid out in July.

The DWP has increased Pension Credit for eligible state pensioner couples. The hike means a standard payment is now worth up to £363.25 per week for couples – up from £346.60 previously. This will equate to an extra £66 in July for couples. Meanwhile, single claimants will be topped up to £238 per week in the hike.

As reported by Birmingham Live, you can’t usually make a new claim for Pension Credit if your partner isn’t over State Pension age. However, you can make a new claim if you reached State Pension age before May 15, 2019 and you’ve been claiming Housing Benefit since before the same date.

You can also claim for Pension Credit as an individual if your partner can’t get it because of their immigration status. You should gather everything you can about your weekly income before applying.

Your weekly income could include money from a private pension and the State Pension. It will also include most work earnings and benefits such as Jobseeker’s Allowance and Employment and Support Allowance.

Any savings or investments over £10,000 will affect the amount of Pension Credit you get. You’ll be treated as having £1 per week of income for every £500 above £10,000. If your weekly income is below £238 then Guarantee Credit will top you up to that amount.

If you’re claiming as a couple and your joint weekly income is below £363.25 it will be topped up to that amount. If you’re claiming as a couple you’ll need the same information about your partner’s income.

• your weekly income to £238 if you’re single
• your joint weekly income to £363.25 if you have a partner

You may get extra amounts if you have other responsibilities and costs. The top up and extra amounts are known as ‘Guarantee Credit’.

If you have a severe disability

You could get an extra £86.05 a week if you get any of the following:

• Attendance Allowance
• the middle or highest rate of the care component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
• the daily living component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
• Armed Forces Independence Payment
• the daily living component of Adult Disability Payment
• Pension Age Disability Payment
• the middle or highest rate of the care component of Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance

If you care for another adult

You could get an extra £48.15 a week if:

• you get Carer’s Allowance
• you get Carer Support Payment
• you’ve claimed Carer’s Allowance but are not being paid because you already get another benefit paying a higher amount

If you and your partner have both claimed or are getting Carer’s Allowance, you can both get this extra amount.