Pension Credit Reclaim

althommo

I'm an executor for a relative who has recently died. I think she may have been receiving pension credit but due to her savings wasn't eligible. I don't know how long she has been receiving credits but wondered how far back the DWP are able to reclaim?

pmlindyloo

althommo wrote: »

I'm an executor for a relative who has recently died. I think she may have been receiving pension credit but due to her savings wasn't eligible. I don't know how long she has been receiving credits but wondered how far back the DWP are able to reclaim?

They can go back as far as they like.

Having said that the rules for PC are different to other benefits. Any savings over £10000 are counted as income in that it is deducted from PC at the rate of £1 for any £500 (or part of) so you can have substantial savings and still be eligible for PC.

Plus, your relative could have had an Assessed Income Period during which any change in savings would not have to be notified nor counted.

So, all rather complicated.

If you have found bank statements/savings accounts and PC award letters you may be able to work out if your relative had an overpayment. The Assessed income period would be set out in the award letter.

I have always found PC staff very helpful so you could give them a call and see what the situation is.

althommo

Thanks for your help pmlindyloo. I thought there might be a limit of say 7 years. Anyway, as you suggest I'll have to look back through correspondence and see where that takes me.
I've got the form to fill in from DWP I was just trying to get some idea as to how much I might have to repay from her funds.
Looks like a good weekends work :-)