Pension Credit changes for 2020.

old_biker

I don't know if it's a taboo subject but I've searched the forum and there seems to be little info on Pension Credit and nothing on the new rules coming in April 2020.

As I understand it couples where one partner has not reached state pension age will no longer be eligible to claim pension credit even though they are currently in receipt of it. Reports are that this will reduce joint income by about £300 per month.

This is a substantial amount of money to lose and will cause hardship to the point of putting many couples in debt. Does anyone have any further info?

Thanks

[Deleted User]

This has already happened last May

https://www.ageuk.org.uk/globalassets/age-uk/documents/reports-and-publications/reports-and-briefings/money-matters/age_uk_-briefing_on_benefit_changes_for_mixed_age_couples_february2019.pdf

JoeCrystal

That is because it already has been introduced earlier this year which is probably why you were unable to find that much information.

As for the substantial amount of money to lose, the couple can claim the Universal Credit instead (I believe that the older partner would not need to find work anyway) and they can always find an alternative source of income like finding a part-time job as well.

Pollycat

And here:

https://www.gov.uk/pension-credit/eligibility

Changes to Pension Credit eligibility

From 15 May 2019, if you’re in a couple you’ll only be eligible to start getting Pension Credit if either:

• you and your partner have both reached State Pension age
• one of you is getting Housing Benefit for people over State Pension age

OP - why did you think this was to be introduced in April 2020?


IIRC, it was discussed on MSE (although it may have been on the Benefits board).

jem16

old_biker wrote: »

As I understand it couples where one partner has not reached state pension age will no longer be eligible to claim pension credit even though they are currently in receipt of it. Reports are that this will reduce joint income by about £300 per month.

If you read the links provided by the other posters, you will see that what you understand is wrong. Any couple who was receiving it when the rules changed would continue to receive it.

If, however, their circumstances changed and they were no longer eligible they would not be able to reapply until both were state pension age if circumstances changed again.

Are you perhaps thinking of the Adult Dependancy Increase which is due to stop on 6th April 2020?

https://www.gov.uk/state-pension/what-youll-get

old_biker

I'm afraid there is some misunderstanding here.

I am aware that the rules changed in May 2019 and that those already receiving Pension Credit under these circumstances would continue to receive it. We have received it for 3 years.

However reports in nearly all the provincial newspapers state that this entitlement is being removed in April 2020, whether a couple is receiving PC or not currently.

Please correct me if I'm wrong.

old_biker

I quote:-

''...….But anyone already getting the extra cash by then was allowed to keep claiming it for as long as they were entitled.
That's stopping in April, seeing anyone with an "adult dependent" - generally a husband or wife under state pension age - lose the extra cash.''

[Deleted User]

old_biker wrote: »

I quote:-

''...….But anyone already getting the extra cash by then was allowed to keep claiming it for as long as they were entitled.
That's stopping in April, seeing anyone with an "adult dependent" - generally a husband or wife under state pension age - lose the extra cash.''

Not seen this anywhere and I read several local and national newspapers.

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

xylophone

That's stopping in April, seeing anyone with an "adult dependent" - generally a husband or wife under state pension age - lose the extra cash.''

Are you confusing Pension Credit with Adult Dependency Allowance?

Explained here on NI site.

https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/understanding-basic-state-pension

Adult Dependency Increase is a payment for a partner who is financially dependent on you. You may be getting this as part of your State Pension.

Adult Dependency Increase closed to new applications in 2010.

From 6 April 2020 all payments will stop. If you get Adult Dependency Increase now, you’ll keep getting it until then, as long as you’re eligible.

Since 2010, all State Pension customers have been informed about the ending of Adult Dependency Increase via a leaflet included with their annual up-rating notice. As a reminder, customers affected by this change were written to in May 2019.

Further reminder letters were issued in October 2019 and a final reminder letter will be sent in April 2020 when Adult Dependency Increase ends.

When payments stop you may be eligible to apply for Pension Credit or Universal Credit.

jem16

old_biker wrote: »

I'm afraid there is some misunderstanding here.

I am aware that the rules changed in May 2019 and that those already receiving Pension Credit under these circumstances would continue to receive it. We have received it for 3 years.

However reports in nearly all the provincial newspapers state that this entitlement is being removed in April 2020, whether a couple is receiving PC or not currently.

Please correct me if I'm wrong.

You are wrong and I haven’t seen any papers saying otherwise.

There are two separate things here;

1. Pension Credit which continues as is for anyone already in receipt of that even though under new rules they would not be eligible.

2. Adult Dependancy Increase - this is stopping in April 2020 as announced back in April 2010. Those already receiving it were allowed to keep it for the 10 years. This is not the same as Pension Credit.

Pollycat

old_biker wrote: »

I'm afraid there is some misunderstanding here.

I am aware that the rules changed in May 2019 and that those already receiving Pension Credit under these circumstances would continue to receive it. We have received it for 3 years.

However reports in nearly all the provincial newspapers state that this entitlement is being removed in April 2020, whether a couple is receiving PC or not currently.

Please correct me if I'm wrong.

In the absence of any links to support your point, we can only assume that any misunderstanding is on your part.

So do you have any links to back up your point?