We're aware that some users are experiencing technical issues which the team are working to resolve. See the Community Noticeboard for more info. Thank you for your patience.
📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!

Redundancy, signing on and pension guarantee credit

Options
My husband is 63 years old and about to be made redundant from his part-time job. He has been working 16+ hours per week for 4.5 years, receiving Working Tax Credit on top of his wages and for just over one year has also been getting Pension Credit Guarantee Credit.

As of 29th of this month he will be unemployed. He is my part-time carer (I am disabled with MS and have mobility problems), so cannot work for more hours and is limited in the kind of work he might be able to do or find to do at his age etc...

The question we cannot get an answer to is simple, but loaded! He has to register as unemployed after his redundancy, but having paid enough NI contributions for his State Pension (we have the details about that) and knowing that he will not receive JobSeekers Allowance, but instead have his income made up through Pension Credit, does he need to sign on regularly at the JobCentre if he does not find work?

He is happy to look for employment, perhaps for fewer hours, but is anxious and very unhappy about the process of signing on and having to prove he has been looking. It took 18 months to find the job he is leaving and now, with only 18 months before his pension kicks in, we need to know what the reality of the situation might be. There is no actual advice available about this, the JobCentre won't speak to him until he registers and the Pension Service can't tell him.

Any realistic advice much appreciated. This forum has proved most helpful in the past!
:think:
«13

Comments

  • pmlindyloo
    pmlindyloo Posts: 13,091 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    As he is also eligible for Guarantee Pension Credit then this is the benefit he should continue to get. He would not have to apply for JSA.

    He needs to notify Pension Credit of his change of circumstances.

    Have a read of this:

    https://www.gov.uk/pension-credit/overview
  • Thanks pmlindyloo, he has spoken with the DWP and everything is in hand, it seems no one wants to tell him he doesn't have to sign on though, in fact he is being told repeatedly that he does have to register with the JobCentre. It will obviously become clear quite soon but it would be so helpful to see something official. The anxiety at his age is not useful!
  • dodger1
    dodger1 Posts: 4,579 Forumite
    Was getting pension credit for five years from age 60 after redundancy and never had to sign on.
    It's someone else's fault.
  • sammyjammy
    sammyjammy Posts: 7,945 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Nobody ever is required to register as unemployed at the Jobcentre, its entirely their choice.
    "You've been reading SOS when it's just your clock reading 5:05 "
  • Londonsu
    Londonsu Posts: 1,391 Forumite
    GPC is going to be part of universal credit this is what age uk say


    you're part of a couple making a new claim for Pension Credit and one of you is under Pension Credit age. Couples in this situation will have to claim working age benefits, including Universal Credit. If you're already claiming Pension Credit when the change comes in you won't be affected (unless or until there is a break in your Pension Credit claim for some reason)
  • benniebert
    benniebert Posts: 666 Forumite
    pmlindyloo wrote: »
    As he is also eligible for Guarantee Pension Credit then this is the benefit he should continue to get. He would not have to apply for JSA.

    He needs to notify Pension Credit of his change of circumstances.

    Have a read of this:

    https://www.gov.uk/pension-credit/overview



    I was under the impression that once you became entitled to Pension Credit in your own right, you could no longer claim Income based JSA? I do know that if you would not be entitled to a means tested benefit, the only way to get any benefits would be to sign on for contributory JSA until the SRP kicks in.
  • benniebert
    benniebert Posts: 666 Forumite
    dodger1 wrote: »
    Was getting pension credit for five years from age 60 after redundancy and never had to sign on.

    You must have been on a low income then. If the household income/excess capital means that you couldn't claim PC, then you would have to sign on for Contributory JSA.


    You had a choice, there would have been the option of Income based JSA (until you started to claim your SRP) OR Pension Credit. You chose Pension Credit which gives you the money without any conditions (signing on etc) attached to it. Whether you should have done that for 5 years is a moral question.
  • benniebert
    benniebert Posts: 666 Forumite
    sammyjammy wrote: »
    Nobody ever is required to register as unemployed at the Jobcentre, its entirely their choice.



    It's compulsory if you want your benefits!
  • sammyjammy
    sammyjammy Posts: 7,945 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    benniebert wrote: »
    It's compulsory if you want your benefits!

    Which is my point exactly........
    "You've been reading SOS when it's just your clock reading 5:05 "
  • Um, I'm slightly more or less confused by the apparent discussion of other claimants' situations here!
    Just to thank and clarify: sammyjammy - thank you, but there is an obligation to prove eligibility for JSA and we simply wondered whether the requirement continues with PCGC if the claimant is under retirement age. dodger1 - thank you, I think that is the most direct answer! We shall see how it pans out.
    Londonsu, thanks but I do explain we are already receiving the Pension Credit, so the claim just needs updating and as stated, that's already underway.
    benniebert - it seems you are airing my concerns! Just that as the Pension Credit is means tested, we wonder if there is anything else needed... It isn't a new claim, the DWP know about it and we know there is choice to register. Etc.
    Many thanks, if hubby can find suitable work none of this will apply but at 63, with mild Asperger's a disabled wife and living in Cornwall, it seems unlikely... But, never say never.
    We are transparent in our aims, very honest with authorities (often to our detriment, phoo... that inheritance didn't go far ;) )and inclined to live simply and on very little. Oh hey, that's what's expected from our sort!
    Many thanks to all so far who have involved themselves in this post.
This discussion has been closed.
Meet your Ambassadors

🚀 Getting Started

Hi new member!

Our Getting Started Guide will help you get the most out of the Forum

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 350.8K Banking & Borrowing
  • 253K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 453.4K Spending & Discounts
  • 243.7K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 598.5K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 176.8K Life & Family
  • 256.9K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16.1K Discuss & Feedback
  • 37.6K Read-Only Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.