Pension Credit effects on Housing Benefit

James_Mass

Does anyone know how pension credit would affect HB & CT benefits? Would any pension credit be regarded as income and thus relevant deductions be made?

I read that qualifying for 'Guarantee Credit' part immediately entitles one to full HB & CT. If there is no need to make a new HB claim form, should the council be inform of the change of circumstances or would the DWP hve already sent details to them?

Thanks in advance.

bexmark_2

If you are already getting HB and/or CTB, then just let the authority know about your award of Pension Credit.
If you are awarded Guaranteed Pension Credit, yes, you qualify for full help. If it is the Savings Credit, then it is counted as income and the authority will amend your assessment based on the figures provided by the Pension Service. They should only add it to the assessment from the Monday following you being actually awarded it as well.
If it takes the Pension Service 5 months to sort out your claim, the backdated award should not be taken into account unless it means you qualify for higher HB/CTB.
The Pension Service does let local authorities know about Pension Credit awards, but to be sure, pass on the information yourself just in case.