Pension Credits - I am a little confused

hellokitty08

My nan is as batty as a box of Frogs personality wise but not medically. Anyway, i am trying to help her sort out her pension credit as she has reccently had a change in cirsumstance but she appears to know (or says she knows) nothing about how it works.

My nan is 72, she has reccently down sized to a housing association retirement flat and now has £20k in savings and £3k in her current account after moving and rennovation expenses.

She has always recieved pension credit, but due to the change in circumstance she phoned them to let them know her position has now changed.

We got a form to fill in saying, "please fill in as of 22/10/2009" This was a little bit confusing to me as I wasnt aware of the Assessment income Period.

Would I know be right in assuming, that if we fill the form in with the information asked for, nothing changes until her next assessment income period comes round? So effectively her change in circumstances doesnt effect her pension credit until this income period has ended? when ever that might be?

I am a little confused and the people at the pensions department werent much help on the phone.

Thanks

anmarj

yes you are correct, but if she knew that she was going to downsize at that date then it would need to be declared, if not then, nothing would change until the next review in 2014 (5 years from the review date):)

hellokitty08

Tidy!

She only decided to do it three months ago, she always thought she would never move, but we found her an ideal place.

She will be relieved, and i am less confused.