Transition from Universal Credit to State Pension

[Deleted User]

Hi,

My Friend "the Claimant": Currently getting UC LCWRA inc housing elements, + council tax support. Will reach State Pension age in Sept. Pension forecast £190/week & might apply for Pension credit.

Questions:
1. Does the claimant need to inform both the UC & council tax department of change in circumstances?


2. Will the claimant continue to receive support for both Housing & council tax automatically?

If not, does the claimant have to make 2 new claims for housing and council tax respectively?


3. If new claims for housing and council tax were required to be made, could the claimant apply for Pension credit, housing and council tax simultaneously? 

Or does the claimant have to wait until pension credit is received before applying for housing & council tax?


4. What other support/benefits the claimant might be able to apply?


Any input would be greatly appreciated!!

Alice_Holt

I think the important thing is to apply for both state pension and Pension Credit now, as there are long delays in processing claims.

UC will end after the assessment period during which SPA is reached, so it's important to have SP (and HB) in place when that happens.
This final UC payment is disregarded when assessing your PC entitlement.  You should report you have reached State Pension age to UC.

Yes, a claim for HB from their LA is necessary (presumably help with housing costs are currently through UC?) - again start the process in advance.  If PC is granted this claim becomes passported to full HB.

For CT make the LA CTr team aware of the forthcoming change in circumstances.   

poppy12345

Are they a single person or claiming UC with a partner? if with a partner are they under or over state pension age?

[Deleted User]

Alice_Holt said:

I think the important thing is to apply for both state pension and Pension Credit now, as there are long delays in processing claims.

UC will end after the assessment period during which SPA is reached, so it's important to have SP (and HB) in place when that happens.
This final UC payment is disregarded when assessing your PC entitlement.  You should report you have reached State Pension age to UC.

Yes, a claim for HB from their LA is necessary (presumably help with housing costs are currently through UC?) - again start the process in advance.  If PC is granted this claim becomes passported to full HB.

For CT make the LA CTr team aware of the forthcoming change in circumstances.   

Thank you sooooo much!!!

poppy12345 said:

Are they a single person or claiming UC with a partner? if with a partner are they under or over state pension age?

Single. Thanks