Pension Credit Question

Capyboppy

I know most of the rules regarding income for Pension Credit, but wondered what the scenario is with earning the odd varying amounts? I can't seem to find anything on the DWP website or anywhere else. Because it is means tested, is it the usual rules for £10 disregarded per couple, (£20 if disabled), or some other method? On a regular income there is a sliding scale up to £202.40p. As an example: Somebody earns £30 one week, does nothing for two months, then earns £150, and so on with different amounts in different timescales. Would they declare every time they earn this amount and would their PC be adjusted accordingly each time? Seems very complicated with intermittent work such as this. This is not for us(although useful to know anyway), but for someone who has now turned 65 (wife 60), but they are not eligible for full normal old age pension, hence being on Pension Credit. Thanks in advance.

Whiteknight

What type of work would be done, if it was self employed my understanding of it is that they would look at averaging it over a period. If it was paid work for different employers every couple of months they would look at what was earned and take it into account with the relevant disregards.

If he does work he should inform the Pension Service.

Capyboppy

I thought that to re the averaging it out. What I really want to know though is if the rules are the same regarding income that is disregarded. i.e. if he theoretically earned £10 every now and again I take it that would not have to be declared as it is disregarded. I do remember quite a while back that if on a means tested benefit they changed it from having to have to notify the DHSS or wherever every single time you earned the statutory allowance of £5 for a single person/£10 a couple, to only if you earned over that amount.

anmarj

Capyboppy wrote: »

I thought that to re the averaging it out. What I really want to know though is if the rules are the same regarding income that is disregarded. i.e. if he theoretically earned £10 every now and again I take it that would not have to be declared as it is disregarded. I do remember quite a while back that if on a means tested benefit they changed it from having to have to notify the DHSS or wherever every single time you earned the statutory allowance of £5 for a single person/£10 a couple, to only if you earned over that amount.

it has to be delcared regardless of whether he earns above or below the the disregard

Capyboppy

Can you point me to a link or document that actually says that anmarj? Only reason I ask is that I still have somewhere filed away the document that stated as long as you didn't go over the allowed amount (£5/single; £10/couple; £20 disabled) you didn't have to inform them if on a means tested benefit. This does actually make sense due to the amount of form filling, man power etc every time an individual earns their £5/£10/£20

anmarj

that is nonsense, they are on a means tested benefit the income has to be declared, what happens is they look at the frequency of the work and amounts paid and possibly average the wage out over the benefit weeks so therefore an amount would be taken into account as an average, for self employed they look at the income and expeniture and then work out what is allowed under PC and then work out what is taken into account on a weekly basis, it is not the customer's decision as as when they declare the income.

chaper 86 deals with earnings - http://www.dwp.gov.uk/publications/specialist-guides/decision-makers-guide/#vol13

BTW - i deal with PC on a daily basis;)

Capyboppy

I never said it was the customers decision when to declare anmarj! I gave a couple of scenerios, including one of just earning say five or ten pounds. I also told you I have a document somewhere filed away that states it does not have to be declared as long as it doesn't go over. If someone is brand new to Pension Credit, and works intermittently with various amounts over the £10: how will it be worked out as an average if they have not been in that position before? i.e. having a period of time with occasional jobs so it can be averaged out?

anmarj

Capybobby wrote:

I never said it was the customers decision when to declare

Capyboppy wrote: »

i.e. if he theoretically earned £10 every now and again I take it that would not have to be declared as it is disregarded.

Your own words not mine!


then you document is very out of date, I know that MiG did not follow that and that was the benefit prior to PC kicking in.

Capyboppy

Yes, it was my own words but based on the letter my husband had received at the time that categorically stated they only had to be notified if the amount was over the £10! Why am I beginning to feel that what was a genuine question has become a battle to try and justify? Thank you for your comments but I regard this thread as now closed. There are ways and means of putting something across.