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Assessed income period. What the....?

OK this is complicated. My dad died 3 weeks ago in a care home. Meanwhile my Mum was getting pension credit with an 'assessed income period' with no end date because of her age (She's 77). She has just heard that her state pension will be going up considerably due to my dad's contributions.

The information about assessed income periods in the pension credit booklet seems to imply that she doesn't need to notify them of the change to her pension. However, I've just phoned the pension credit helpline and after a very confusing conversation- it seems they don't even know the assessed income rules- have been told that her increase in state pension will be passed on to the pension credit people for a reassessment of what she gets.

All the literature seems to indicate that pension credits do not need to be notified of income changes during the 'assessed' period...Im very confused.

Comments

  • As far as I am aware they dont take any notice of changes for a certain amount of time. Is it three years?

    I came across a case once where someone inheriter property after their claim and was advised by pension credit that they will pick it up on the next scheduled review - all other benefits dont get treated so leniently - bit unfair.
  • real1314
    real1314 Posts: 4,432 Forumite
    I *think* that state pension changes are a relevant change for Pension credit. it's changes to things like private pensions and capital levels that do not need to be notified.
  • anmarj
    anmarj Posts: 1,826 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    real1314 wrote: »
    I *think* that state pension changes are a relevant change for Pension credit. it's changes to things like private pensions and capital levels that do not need to be notified.


    you are right, state pension is not classed as retirement income so therefore when the State pension goes up, pension credit will altar, if she inherits a works pension from her late husband she will then have that ignore for the length of time that her current aip goes for. If at some points she ends up in a care home the AIP would end and, then the pension credit would have to be reassess and the works pension would be taken into account at that point.
  • cjm66
    cjm66 Posts: 19 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    Seems so unfair. If she won the lottery it would be ignored, but an increase in the state pension will be penalised. Thanks for the help.
  • anmarj
    anmarj Posts: 1,826 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    because benefits are not classed as retirement income (i don't make the rules) so any changes to benefit amounts change the pension credit
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