entitled to pension credits?

DAKOTA45

Hi folks!! I hope you can help, please…

A married couple both 64 who live separately but don't intend getting divorced… I think it's called "together-apart"…(but they don't share an income).

The wife lives in their jointly mortgaged home and he lives with his frail mother, rent free, and helps out around the house.

He was working on a freelance basis but the work has dried up. He has a small private pension of £250 per month and wishes to apply for pension credits.
He has no savings or assets, only the house his wife lives in…

The wife is in receipt of single pension credit and gets help with some of the mortgage interest.

Will the fact that he is not living in their jointly owned home prevent him from receiving pension credits? Will the house be counted as an asset, for example?

Many thanks in advance…

Dakota45

Keep_pedalling

As he has not reached state pension age yet he cant claim PC. Whether he can once he reaches SP age will depend on his combined income of his private and state pension.

Edit. As he is living with his mother her income will also be a factor. Is she claiming all the benefits she is entitled to? Attendance allowance is the main one that springs to mind.

SailorSam

When the wife was given her PC, they would have asked about whether she had a partner and any other income. If the Dwp accepted then that she was single, (i don't know), but i imagine they'd now treat the husband as a single person with no other income or assets.
I think if he does get the PC they're going to reduce it by the £250 other income that he gets.

SailorSam

Keep_pedalling wrote: »

As he has not reached state pension age yet he cant claim PC.

That's not correct. Receiving PC depends on his birthday.
I'm 63 and have had my letter this week to say i'm Ok to move from Esa to PC.

Mojisola

Keep_pedalling wrote: »

As he has not reached state pension age yet he cant claim PC.

If he has reached the current pension age for women, he can claim.

Mojisola

DAKOTA45 wrote: »

A married couple both 64 who live separately but don't intend getting divorced… I think it's called "together-apart"…(but they don't share an income).

It's called separated. They can claim as single people.

https://www.gov.uk/pension-credit/eligibility
You’re treated as a couple if you live with your husband, wife or partner.

xylophone

Full details here - http://www.ageuk.org.uk/Documents/EN-GB/Factsheets/FS48_Pension_Credit_fcs.pdf?dtrk=true

PC Age on page 6.

DAKOTA45

Many thanks for all the info….
So the husband won't be treated as having a 2nd home if he doesn't live in their jointly mortgaged property? He was told by somebody that any property he has that he does not live in is counted as capital…not sure how that works as it is not actual money in the bank and even if they sell the property there is apparently very little equity because it's a large mortgage.
I read somewhere else said that there is no upper limit for capital for PC, but you are assumed to earn £1 per £500 of capital and that is counted as income…

So very confusing! Dakota45

anmarj

There is no definitive yes or no to the issue regarding the property but extra questions will be needed for them to consider the full facts before a decision could be made. And yes it is treated as capital

xylophone

I read somewhere else said that there is no upper limit for capital for PC, but you are assumed to earn £1 per £500 of capital and that is counted as income…

http://www.ageuk.org.uk/money-matters/claiming-benefits/means-tested-benefits/


"For Pension Credit, there is no upper limit of capital for you to be eligible. This means there is no maximum level of capital you can have in order to claim the benefit. Capital up to £10,000, and any income generated by that capital, are ignored. You will be treated as having ‘assumed income’ of £1 for every £500 (or part of £500) of capital you have above £10,000. If you have a partner, you will be assessed as a couple and the first £10,000 of your joint capital will be ignored."

Keep_pedalling

SailorSam wrote: »

That's not correct. Receiving PC depends on his birthday.
I'm 63 and have had my letter this week to say i'm Ok to move from Esa to PC.

Apologies for my error, I stand corrected.