Benefits for married couple on state pension

leedelaney

Hi,

I am writing this on behalf of my father and mother in-laws. They have been struggling, money wise, since they both retired some 5-6 years ago. They do have some savings and I understand its slightly over the £16,000 threshold. However, apart form these savings the only income they have is from their state pensions.

I completed the clever tool recommended by Martin for calculating the amount of benefits they could be elegible for and it come to over £9000 a year, which they are not currently claiming for. They are both old school and have never claimed any benefits, ever!

The question I have is, if they have over the £16,000 savings threshold is it correct that they could still be elegible for the benefits that the calculated states? How is this and who should they contact to get the ball rolling? They live in Islington in London.

Thank you.

Lee.

dmg24

What benefits did the calculator list?

Icequeen99

The capital limit applies to housing and council tax benefit. There is an exception though if you claim guarantee pension credit.

So they might want to see if they are eligible for pension credit (speak to the pension credit helpline they should be able to give a rough idea). If they are entitled to the guarantee part they will get full housing and council tax benefit even though there capital is slightly over the limit.

IQ