Claiming benefits when pensions gone

sleepless_saver

claire76 wrote: »

Ps he gets some help with HB and CTax as he is in Sheltered housing.

He gets the help with HB and council tax because his income is low, it's nothing to do with the sort of housing he is in. If his income is low enough, he might be entitled to pension credit as well. The Pension Service would be able to advise him.

There isn't any way he can cash in some of his pension!

claire76

Yes he is 60, he got it because of accident when he was an electricity linesman.
Yeah thanks we need to talk to pension provider....pension credits..Thanks for replies.

McKneff

jem16 wrote: »

OP said her dad was age 60 in the first post.

sorry Jem, i saw it but it didnt sink in for some reason.
Senior moment methings,,,,,,,,,lol

jem16

claire76 wrote: »

Yes he is 60, he got it because of accident when he was an electricity linesman.

So possibly a final salary pension which paid out on ill-health grounds?

Yeah thanks we need to talk to pension provider

Really is no point in doing that. It can't be changed. At the time he will have probably received a lump sum and an agreed amount to be paid each month. He can't get any more or any less.

As said he might be eligible for pension credits and needs to contact the Pension Service not his pension provider.

http://www.dwp.gov.uk/about-dwp/customer-delivery/the-pension-service/

Duncombe

OP - if you Dad comes into any sort of money (in a lump sum), he needs to be very careful what he does with it. Getting rid of money in order to claim benefits is known as Deprivation of Capital and benefits can be rejected if this is found to be the case.

claire76

Yes found info on the Deprivation of Capital....also Pension Credits say he gets about £30 a month too much to be eligible ( 6 months ago) but will ring them again as figures change a bit...There seem to be websites offering the kind of service I've been talking about...caution will be exercised! I'm really just finding out the info for him to correct any misinformation he has already been told...Thank you everyone.

jem16

claire76 wrote: »

There seem to be websites offering the kind of service I've been talking about...caution will be exercised!

These kind of websites are really only offering a service that will allow you to access your pension normally.

You cannot release money from a pension already in payment.