State Pension and Care Allowance

inspirespirit

I am about to turn 65 and as such will start to receive the State Pension. I filled in one of those benefit calculators and it says I will no longer be eligible for Care Allowance or Income Support.

If I no longer get Care Allowance for my adult disabled son, will he be able to claim anything extra? At present he receives high mobility and middle care on DLA.

Thank you.

calcotti

Does the benefit calculator indicate that you will be entitled to any means tested benefits - Pension Credit, Housing Benefit or Council Tax Reduction. Although you cannot be paid Carer's Allowance once you receive your State Pension you can retain entitlement to Carer's Allowance and this can increase the amount you receive in means tested benefits.


In respect of your son. Does he live alone and is he receiving any benefits other than DLA? If he lives alone and receives income based ESA he could ask to be paid the Severe Disability premium once you are no longer paid Carer's Allowance. If he is not living alone then you not receiving Carer's Allowance will not make any difference to his entitlement.

inspirespirit

It states that I won't be entitled to Pension Credit but to apply for Housing Benefit.

He lives with me. He isn't well enough to live alone.

Thank you for your advice. I think I understand now because it mentioned something about an underlying entitlement to Care Allowance although I won't get paid care allowance.

calcotti

If you are entitled to some Housing Benefit you may well also be entitled to some Council Tax Reduction.


With the carer premium included in the Pension Credit calculation your allowance is £199/week (if you are a single person) so you will not be entitled to Pension Credit if your income from state pension, private pensions etc is more than this. Savings over £10,000 will also be taken account of at the rate of £1/week for every £500 or part thereof.


If you have a partner living with you the Pension Credit allowance inclusive of the carer premium is £284.80/week.

inspirespirit

I am getting 164 per week altogether so hopefully I might be entitled to some housing and council tax benefit. No partner. just my disabled son who I have always cared for.

calcotti

inspirespirit wrote: »

I am getting 164 per week altogether so hopefully I might be entitled to some housing and council tax benefit. No partner. just my disabled son who I have always cared for.

Not clear whether the £164 is what you're receiving as income now or what you will be getting as a State Pension. As per previous post if your total income as a single claimant is less than £199 after you reach pension age you will be able to claim Pension Credit - but you will need to tell them that you have underlying entitlement to Carers Allowance so that they include the carer addition in the calculation. The calculation will be affected if you have any savings over £10,000.


If you get any Pension Credit guarantee you will be entitled to maximum eligible HB and CTR.

inspirespirit

Thank you Calcotti. You have been extremely helpful. I wasn't going to apply for Pension Credit because it said on the .org you aren't eligible if you get over 163.00 state pension and Im getting 164.53. I will apply now as I do have a letter saying I am entitled to Care Allowance but won't receive any money.

xylophone

https://www.ageuk.org.uk/globalassets/age-uk/documents/factsheets/fs48_pension_credit_fcs.pdf

is a comprehensive explanation.

Guarantee Credit is worked out by comparing your income with an amount the Government says you need to live on. If you have a disability, are a carer or have to pay housing costs, you may be eligible for a higher amount.