pension credit or ic/incap. benefits

rabialiones · 7 November 2009 at 10:33AM

just need advice for neighbour , husband is reaching 60 soon received letter about option for pension credit.
wife in receipt of incap benefit for self with partner allowance , and income support and retirement pension of about £100 a month.
have tried to read up on pension credits but not really understood how it works.
i.e. will they still receive housing benefit, prescriptions, eye care etc.
will couple of hours voluntary work make any difference.
any advice appreciated.
thanks

suelees1 · 7 November 2009 at 11:36AM

Guarantee Pension Credit is a similar 'passport' to the same benefits as Income Support (such as HB, health costs etc)

They'll get the same amount of income if she continues to claim IS for them both or he claims PC for them both (they won't get both IS and PC). The amount the law says they need to live on will increase to £198.45 pw once either of a couple reach 60 but most other income they have coming in will reduce this £1 for £1.

Whiteknight · 7 November 2009 at 3:26PM

Depends on who is getting Income Support at the moment, if it is the husband he will need to claim Pension Credit. If its the wife who gets Income Support she could stay on it until she gets to State Pension Age the amounts they pay are the same.