Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what (a) pension and (b) pension credit entitlements are pension-age refugees from Ukraine able to access in the UK.

The UK State Pension is payable without regard to nationality to those who meet the qualifying conditions. Entitlement is based on an individual’s National Insurance record.

In March 2022 DWP laid regulations which enabled those who were residing in Ukraine immediately before 1 January 2022, and who had fled in response to the Russian Invasion on 24 February 2022, to access Pension Credit, and other means-tested benefits from day one of their arrival in the UK. To be eligible for Pension Credit, people need to be over State Pension age and on a low income.

As well as help with daily living costs of up to £182.60 per week for single people and £278.70 for couples, Pension Credit also opens up access to other support, such as help with rent and council tax, heating bills, free NHS dental care and free TV licenses for the over-75s. The easiest way for Ukrainian nationals to apply for Pension Credit is by phone and the department has made translation services available to help new arrivals with their applications. The Freephone number: 0800 99 1234, is available Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm.

DWP staff are also delivering additional face-to-face assistance to those who need it, including advice on benefit eligibility and support with online applications.