widows pension

ginger_nuts

my mother is in her 70's recentlent widowed .She has been receiving the higher rate DLA & a state pension off £64 .She has no other pension and has not paid NI contributions for many years .
Has anyone any Idea how much pension she would be intilted to and if the DLA would affect the amount off pension .

montycat_2

Firstly,
My condolences on your Mother's loss,
Secondly ,it is best to let the pension service deal with your queries .
Bereavement benefits etc are often linked to NI contributions of the deceased.
Saying that though ,I was told that if one benefit does affect another it still = the same amount given .
Also ,I am presuming the DLA is hers ,if it was her spouses then,it will stop.
It is daunting to have to contact these people at times of grief but ,the sooner you do,the sooner her monetary situation will be resolved .
The sooner you contact the Pensions office the better .

margaretclare

The £64 is, AFAIK, what she's been getting as a married woman under your late Dad's contributions, which is 60% of a full state pension. She'll now get 100% of the current state pension rather than 60% of it. She can also inherit his SERPS, if he had any. She can also apply for pension credit in her own right (means-tested).

If she was getting DLA in her own right (i.e. before she was 65) then this is not means-tested.

Have a look on the Pension Service's website: [SIZE=-1]www.thepensionservice.gov.uk

HTH

Margaret
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montycat_2

Margaret ,
What does AFAIK mean please?

Ginger-nuts -How are things?

jem16

montycat wrote: »

What does AFAIK mean please?

AFAIK = As Far As I Know

ginger_nuts

am I correct in thinking if My mum gets pension credit (which I think is means tested ) her DLA will not be taken into account ? and will be paid on top off pension credit .

margaretclare

ginger_nuts wrote: »

am I correct in thinking if My mum gets pension credit (which I think is means tested ) her DLA will not be taken into account ? and will be paid on top of pension credit .

Yes, this again is 'as far as I know'.

Have a look: http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/FinancialSupport/DG_10011731

It says there: Disability Living Allowance is normally ignored as income for working out these income-related benefits and credits.

HTH

Margaret