Money left in will to pensioner

Pollycat

bengal-stripe wrote: »

No, in deed it's very good advice and not futile at all. I suggested it three days ago

Well done you. :cool:

bengal-stripe wrote: »

As the OP did not even post, that s/he would check it out, one can only presume OP is not interested (any more).

It wouldn't be the first thread on this forum, abandoned by it's OP.

I don't think one can assume that at all.

The OP has been a member since 2008, although hasn't posted much.

Her posting history suggests that it's not unusual for her to ask a question but not to actually come back and acknowledge any replies she receives.

There's absolutely nothing wrong with that, MSE rules don't force posters to revisit their own threads.

However, I'm sure 5 years of MSE membership will have taught the OP that it's worth checking back for replies, even if she doesn't want to log on to do so.

Are you upset that she's not thanked your contribution?

bengal-stripe

Pollycat wrote: »

Are you upset that she's not thanked your contribution?

Not in the least! I'm not one who is trying to solicit 'thank you'

"My heart goes out for you. I don't know the answer to your question, but someone who does will be here soon. Until then, let me give you a hug."

Please press the 'thank you' button!

Pollycat

bengal-stripe wrote: »

Not in the least! I'm not one who is trying to solicit 'thank you'

You appear to be reading all sorts of things into this thread that aren't there.

I'm not sure what is the relevance of the quote below or where you've dug it up from, but - for the record - I've not asked a question, nor do I need a hug, nor do I need to be thanked.

"My heart goes out for you. I don't know the answer to your question, but someone who does will be here soon. Until then, let me give you a hug."

Please press the 'thank you' button!

BurnleyBob

Pollycat wrote: »

I'm not saying I disagree with this but the reality is that, as things stand, there is entitlement to this benefit.

Personally, I'd prefer the Government to look at ways to stop fraudulent benefit claims first to cut the welfare budget.

You can be assured that the government is doing its utmost to cut benefit fraud with considerable success as their official estimate for 2012 is that 0.7% of total benefit expenditure was overpaid due to fraud.

Welfare fraud is a drop in the ocean compared to tax avoidance - http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/feb/01/welfare-fraud-tax-avoidance

The real problem isn't with those who fiddle the system but the E (entitlement) word, a stunning example of which has been highlighted in this thread.

gill01

My apologies for not replying sooner but I've been busy at work . Spoke to aunt who is 78 and she has a letter stating she has an assessed guarantee period on her benefit . The deceased estate has gone to probate so I guess it will be many months . I know it sounds like a lot of money but if she starts paying full rent and council tax, it won't last for many years .
Many thanks for your help .

BurnleyBob

If she was awarded an indefinite assessed income period, as would be the norm (see HBO's post in this thread), then she'd have no concerns about HB and CTR.

Mojisola

gill01 wrote: »

My apologies for not replying sooner but I've been busy at work . Spoke to aunt who is 78 and she has a letter stating she has an assessed guarantee period on her benefit . The deceased estate has gone to probate so I guess it will be many months . I know it sounds like a lot of money but if she starts paying full rent and council tax, it won't last for many years .
Many thanks for your help .

What will be worth doing is looking round at her home and seeing what could do with being replaced. If she hasn't got reasonably new things, look at new energy-efficient white goods. Would a new mattress make her nights more comfortable? If her easy chairs are difficult to get out off, look at new ones with higher seats. Replace any worn flooring that could be a trip hazard.

In addition to paying for some extra carers that's the kind of thing my parents used some of their inheritance on.

bengal-stripe

gill01 wrote: »

Spoke to aunt who is 78 and she has a letter stating she has an assessed guarantee period on her benefit .

I do believe, the last review of an Assessed Income Period is at age 75 and and thereafter the indefinite AIP is automatically granted.

Indefinite assessed income periods

You can now have an indefinite assessed income period (open-ended AIP) if:

you are on pension credit and you have a standard assessed income period (AIP) in place which is due to end on or after 6 April 2009 and you are 80 or over by the end of the existing AIP,
you are on Pension Credit and would have been given a new standard AIP (5 years) following a review at the end of your existing AIP and you are 75 or over on the start date of the new AIP,

you claim Pension Credit on or after 6 April 2009 and would have been eligible for a standard AIP (5 years) and are aged 75 or over on the AIP start date.

http://www.e2hlp.entitledto.co.uk/viewhelp.aspx?sid=4&ctyid=0&helpfile=assessedincomeperiod

Check the letter again, what date is given for the AIP to end?

Even if she has to declare the money in two years time, as long as she is entitled to a single penny in 'guaranteed credit', she will have all her housing cost and community charge being paid for.

Dimey

Housing_Benefit_Officer wrote: »

Just dealt with a claimant in her 90s who sold her house in London and moved into a bungalow owned by her son - she still didn't understand would still get full PCGC and full Council Tax Support as her capital (£300k+) was disregarded.

A ludicrous waste of taxpayers cash that should be going to the needy and where the Government should be looking to cut the welfare budget.

I was told you couldn't get council tax support if you had savings, by my local council.
Is that wrong?

Housing_Benefit_Officer

Dimey wrote: »

I was told you couldn't get council tax support if you had savings, by my local council.
Is that wrong?

If you are a pensioner on Pension Guarantee Credit then all you savings are disregarded in full even if they are above £16,000.

If you are not a pensioner or a pensioner who isn't receiving PCGC and your savings reach £16k then you are automatically disqualified.