Pension Credit - Mixed Age - entitlement after passing?

No_Name

I didn't want to hijack the other thread so thought I would start one separately as slightly off-topic.



My uncle passed away over 5 years ago and was receiving state pension with pension credit to support my auntie who does not work but not of retirement age. When he passed, my auntie received bereavement allowance for the first year, but haven't claimed any form of benefits other than housing benefit and council tax paid (continuing from when uncle was here).


My question is, was / is my auntie entitled to continue receiving pension credit or other payments my uncle was receiving as she was below state pension age?

lisyloo

I don’t think she is entitled to any of the retirement benefits e.g. state pension or pension credit as she’s not reached the qualifying age.

Is she job seeking? Unwell? Disabled? Or simply not working?
There may be other benefits she’s entitled to but would depend on her situation.

No_Name

Thanks for confirming lisyloo.


She simply hasn't worked for a long time (housewife) and has depended on her late husband.


She is approaching retirement age, but I suspect she receive minimum state pension due to lack of work?

lisyloo

She can check her state pension here

https://www.gov.uk/check-state-pension

This depends on your National insurance record which you get from working but you also get credit for caring for children under 12.

The guaranteed minimum income for a single pensioner is £167.25, so if her state pension is less it will be made up to that in pension credit.

She may get other benefits at pension age like bus pass, free glasses, prescriptions and winter fuel allowance. It would also be worth applying at that time to the electricity company for a warm front grant.

No_Name

Thanks again lisyloo - useful information

xylophone

a warm front grant.

Electric vest?:)

p00hsticks

lisyloo wrote: »

The guaranteed minimum income for a single pensioner is £167.25, so if her state pension is less it will be made up to that in pension credit.

Assuming she meets the eligibility criteria - Pension Credit is means tested so if she has considerable savings they will be counted

lisyloo

You’re right and it’s a good point, but housing benefit is also means tested, so if I read correctly that she’s getting HB then she’s not minted.

Good point though.

Alice_Holt

She may have an entitlement to Universal Credit:
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/universal-credit/

GunJack

It kinda begs the question of what has she been living on for the last 5 yrs? Is she actually on a benefit of some kind already?

No_Name

GunJack wrote: »

It kinda begs the question of what has she been living on for the last 5 yrs? Is she actually on a benefit of some kind already?

She is luckily supported by close members of her family and never really relied on state handouts, but was a recent topic of conversation where a couple of her friends believe she could be entitled for continued pension credit (as her late husband was supporting her and was on state pension).


That's what has prompted me to ask on here.