Confused Pension Credits from May

TroubledTina

Thanks calcotti

I think you are probably right about not being entitled to pension credits, but they really dont make it easy to understand do they.

sazzer1

I found this, A detailed guide to Pension Credit for advisers
Couples: important changes from 15 May 2019

Mixed age couples who are entitled to Pension Credit immediately before the date of change will not be affected for as long as they remain entitled as a couple. If their claim as a couple ends for any reason and they subsequently make a new claim, the new rules will apply. Mixed age couples will still be able to claim Pension Credit after the change if, at the time of their claim, they are entitled to pension age Housing Benefit for people who have reached the qualifying age.

TroubledTina

Thanks sazzer1, but I'm still confused it's that last sentence

calcotti

TroubledTina wrote: »

Thanks sazzer1, but I'm still confused it's that last sentence

Me too.

OP. I think you should assume Pension Credit will not be available but there’s no harm in husband trying to claim at the time. Alternatively he can try ringing Pension Service in a few months to ask the question - I wouln’t do it now because they may not understand the rules themselves yet.

TroubledTina

Just found this statement....

If your partner has not reached the qualifying age you may still be able to start getting pension credits from 15th May 2019 or later if, on the day you want to start getting pension credits, you and your partner are entitled to housing benefit for people who have reached the qualifying age for pension credits

I'm still none the wiser ��

sazzer1

That wording is very similar to what I posted. It is so confusing, I have looked but can't find any clarification of this.

TroubledTina

It is sazzer1, I think only time will tell when it comes into force on 15th May

TroubledTina

I've done a bit more digging and I think the situation for mixed aged couples and pension credits is........

Once my husband becomes pension age in November our housing benefit will stop and because we are not both pension age we will have to claim universal credit for housing costs, so therefore not on housing benefit so can't claim pension credits.

I'm still not 100% certain though

calcotti

TroubledTina wrote: »

I've done a bit more digging and I think the situation for mixed aged couples and pension credits is........

Once my husband becomes pension age in November our housing benefit will stop and because we are not both pension age we will have to claim universal credit for housing costs, so therefore not on housing benefit so can't claim pension credits.

I'm still not 100% certain though

I can't believe that is the intention. I would expect the housing benefit claim to continue but that you are simply barred from claiming Pension Credit.

What is not clear is what will happen to the Housing Benefit claim because Housing Benefit has different rules for people of pension age and although the Pension Credit rules have changed I am not aware that the Housing benefit rules have changed. My expectation is that the existing Housing benefit claim will become a Housing Benefit (SPC) claim subject to pension age rules but that because it was not being claimed under these rules on 14th May it does not open a gateway to Pension Credit. The most significant difference in the rules for HB is that, for those in social housing, the bedroom tax, if applicable, is no longer applied over pension age.

Unfortunately I can't back this up with references to legislation.

EDIT - i’ve changed my mind since posting this - please see post 22

TroubledTina

That's interesting reading calcotti.

It's all a bit of a mess isn't it.