Pension Credit HB Assessed income period and Private pension

Droopydrawers

I phoned DWP on behalf of my SIL re pension credit- she is in her seventies. Separated from her husband but not divorced, he died in August and she has been given a substantial Police widows pension. I phoned to inform them of a change in circumstances - and had I not heard it with my own ears I would not have believed it - I was told she had an assessed income period until 2018 and they only needed to know at her renewal - in 2018, I emphasised the substantial, but they said it did not matter - it would probably not be renewed in 2018 - nothing 'owing' would be backdated and the conversation was recorded and she would make notes on the system. I asked if we should inform the council as she had full housing and council tax benefits, and she replied there was no need she would still get the housing benefit and council tax rebate because of this assessed income period. Trouble is nobody (family members etc) believes it!
She does voluntary work in a charity shop and the person in charge is adamant the information I have been given is incorrect. Can anybody verify that - in particular - the part about the Housing and Council tax benefit not being affected

Housing_Benefit_Officer

Droopydrawers wrote: »

I phoned DWP on behalf of my SIL re pension credit- she is in her seventies. Separated from her husband but not divorced, he died in August and she has been given a substantial Police widows pension. I phoned to inform them of a change in circumstances - and had I not heard it with my own ears I would not have believed it - I was told she had an assessed income period until 2018 and they only needed to know at her renewal - in 2018, I emphasised the substantial, but they said it did not matter - it would probably not be renewed in 2018 - nothing 'owing' would be backdated and the conversation was recorded and she would make notes on the system. I asked if we should inform the council as she had full housing and council tax benefits, and she replied there was no need she would still get the housing benefit and council tax rebate because of this assessed income period. Trouble is nobody (family members etc) believes it!
She does voluntary work in a charity shop and the person in charge is adamant the information I have been given is incorrect. Can anybody verify that - in particular - the part about the Housing and Council tax benefit not being affected

During the assessed income period - no. I have had claimants sell their homes or inherit fortunes and still get full Housing Benefit and Council Tax help due to the AIP. This is so wrong when people with substantial savings and income still get maximum help. But something the Government are supposedly changing.

http://researchbriefings.parliament.uk/ResearchBriefing/Summary/SN06677

Droopydrawers

Thank you so much for your reply x

anmarj

What you have been told is correct, however aip's are ending in 2016, and she will be reassessed sooner than 2018, but when is still being decided.