How do I find what pensions someone receives?

Sandtree

Whilst you have best intentions I am sure at the end of the day you will be some random person calling up about another persons financial affairs and data protection laws prevent many things being divulged. Similarly signing up to a service without the authority of the person (or if the person cannot mentally give that authority) and claiming to be them can also land you in trouble.

It would be helpful to confirm your grandfathers mental capabilities, if he is currently fine and its just a physical issue then a power of attorney can be drawn up, if he isnt then its likely a guardianship needs to be considered by the court of protection. Even once these are established then companies are going to want to see proof of them and again not just take the word of a random voice on a call.

molerat

In the short term all you can do is have a thorough search of the house, look absolutely everywhere - attic - shed - inside cushions etc, and hope that paper statements addressed to either him or your uncle arrive.  Longer term, if he truly has little or no capacity, a lot of work will be necessary establishing anything meaningful - these organisations are not going to give up much info without proper authority..

Brynsam

YellowRue said:

My mother is now looking after my grandfather. She needs to find out what government pensions he receives, and if he receives tax credits.

I don't think this is quite the immediate panic you fear. Your grandfather's financial position hasn't changed - or more accurately his entitlements haven't changed, since it could be his pension is being paid to the uncle's account. But if that's the case, any direct debits or standing orders for household bills will continue to be paid until someone alerts your uncle's bank to his death.

Not clear from your post if your uncle lived with your grandfather, or just called in regularly to act as carer. Does your uncle have another address where he might have safely filed(!) these documents? It would be worth contacting the local authority to let them know that the house now has only one occupant aged xxx [include details re health/incapacity] and checking that the single person's discount is being applied, assuming nobody else is living there to take care of him. If you find that information online, so much the better.

The more interesting question is what happens in respect of your uncle's estate, assuming there is one. Presumably that is similarly shrouded in mist? At some point somebody is going to write to either your uncle or your grandfather to give them information about a change in their payments for (say) a utility and it will be interesting to see who the account holder is.

LHW99

Who is your uncle's executor (or dealing with the estate administration if he had no will)? They would have to tell his bank that he is deceased, and the bank should provide statements to them if asked. That would let you check whether grandfather's pension was being paid to the uncle's account. The reference will generally include the NI number.

solar_power

Maybe everything was set up paperless and the uncle did it all on-line.