Cousin made redundant- advice on Benefits

seven-day-weekend

OK....I'm asking a question instead of answering one!

A relation of mine has been made redundant. He is 62. His wife is 57 and works part-time (I don't know how many hours - I think it varies as she works for an agency). I also do not know how much they have in savings. They have a Housing Association house.

They have asked me for any information on benefits and entltlements that they MAY be eligible for. Obviously no-one can say definitely until they have checked with the proper authorities, but they would like some idea.

My first guess is:

Contributions-based Jobseekers' Allowance
Local Housing Allowance (assuming not too much in savings)
Council Tax Benefit (ditto).

As he is 62 (63 in a few months) I don't know whether Pension Credit would be better than JSA, nor whether he would be eligible.

Nor do I know about Tax Credits for his working wife.

Has anyone else any other ideas?


Thanks in advance

pandaspot

Really depends on what redundancy payment they recd, I take it, it wasn't over £16k?

So if under £16k then yeah hb and ctb, he can put in a claim for pension credits, the guarantee element apply on 0800 99 1234

Would get full hb and ctb that way

seven-day-weekend

Thanks so much, I wasn't sure how Pension Credit works (although I am over 60 myself!).

I do not know how much payoff he will have, but he has only worked for the company for a few years.

RAS

They need to explore www.turn2us.co.uk. Redundancy should be a week per year.

pandaspot

seven-day-weekend wrote: »

Thanks so much, I wasn't sure how Pension Credit works (although I am over 60 myself!).

I do not know how much payoff he will have, but he has only worked for the company for a few years.

No worries

With the pension credit savings credit element they have to be over 65

Guarantee credit is pensionable age and he is. Check the https://www.direct.gov.co.uk it will have the best advice about pensions etc

seven-day-weekend

He is not yet (male) Pensionable age - he is 62 - will he still be eligible to apply for Guaranteed Pension Credit?

Will he get Rent and CT paid if he gets a reduced amount of PC, due to his wife working?

pandaspot

Check http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/moneytaxandbenefits/benefitstaxcreditsandothersupport/on_a_low_income/dg_10018692 cause pension credit guarantee element is for age 60 plus.

Yes if he gets the guarantee credit then will get full hb and ctb

seven-day-weekend

Thanks again, can I be absolutely clear - if they have over £16k in savings they are not entitled to PC (as he is under 65)?

I have checked the link you gave regarding age of entitlement; he has been the right age since 2008

pandaspot

The 16k was in relation of hb and ctb.

I don't think there is any capital limit with pension credits. I have seen claims where they have over £30k in cap and still entitled.

Get him to give the pension service a ring. They are really nice on the phone

seven-day-weekend

Thanks for your very helpful and informative information. I now know a little bit about Pension Credit!

pandaspot

No worries anytime