Pension Credit 7 October 2022 at 4:13PM in Benefits & tax credits 15 replies 443 views

Murphybear

Hi

I am hoping some of the people knowledgable with DWP rules/benefits can help.

I applied for Attendance Allowance a few months ago and was awarded the higher rate.   I found out after considerable research that receiving AA would change my eligibility for Pension Credit.  My income is above the normal threshold.  I put my details in 4 benefit checkers, entitledto, turn2us, Policyinpractice better off calculator and AgeUK.  The first 3 are recommended on the government website. All 4 gave me the result that I was entitled to Pension Credit.  I applied online immediately.

3 months later (today) I received a letter from them advising me that I am not entitled to Pension Credit.  They give the reason that my income is above the appropriate amount.  However according to them receiving AA has not changed my entitlement although this contradicts the results of the 4 online benefit calculators.  I don’t understand how all 4 of these could have got it wrong.

I know I included the AA on my PC application as the letter noted that the AA is not included as income towards PC.

I would like to challenge the decision and then appeal if they do not change it but am hoping you might see something that I am missing.

Thanks for reading 

poppy12345

If you live alone (no other adults) unless they all either claim a qualifying disability benefit or are registered blind then you'll be entitled to Severe Disability Premium, which is £69.40/week.

AA in itself doesn't automatically entitle you to pension credit. It will depend on your cirmcumstances and how much your weekly income is.

Murphybear

poppy12345 said:

If you live alone (no other adults) unless they all either claim a qualifying disability benefit or are registered blind then you'll be entitled to Severe Disability Premium, which is £69.40/week.

AA in itself doesn't automatically entitle you to pension credit. It will depend on your cirmcumstances and how much your weekly income is.

Thanks Poppy.  I still don’t understand why all the benefit calculators got it wrong 

poppy12345

Are you saying you don’t live alone? If you live with a partner who is also state pension age then they they can claim carers allowance. If their state pension is more than £69.60/week then they can’t be paid carers allowance. They will have an underlying entitlement to it so your pension credit will include carers premium of £38.85/week. 

whizzywoo

Perhaps if you list the income of your self and partner (if applicable) we can work it out?

Robbie64

If you live alone and no-one receives Carer's Allowance for looking after you then your income would be topped up as Pension Credit to £252.00 per week. Does the letter from PC have a calculation of how they made a decision on you not being entitled?

From the £252 maximum would be deducted your state pension and works pension (if applicable). Is your weekly income above £252 (not including AA)?

Murphybear

poppy12345 said:

Are you saying you don’t live alone? If you live with a partner who is also state pension age then they they can claim carers allowance. If their state pension is more than £69.60/week then they can’t be paid carers allowance. They will have an underlying entitlement to it so your pension credit will include carers premium of £38.85/week. 

I don’t live alone but he is not my husband/partner.  We’re old fashioned “housemates”.  He doesn’t claim carers allowance, he is a pensioner with an income of about £230 a week.

poppy12345

In a previous thread earlier in the year you said you live with your husband. 

Murphybear

whizzywoo said:

Perhaps if you list the income of your self and partner (if applicable) we can work it out?

No partner, I’m single, my income (3 pensions) is £243.71 a week. 

Robbie64

Are you joint tenants? Or is one of you the landlord or lodger?

Murphybear

Robbie64 said:

Are you joint tenants?

Yes we are