Council tax reduction on pension credit

Jon_yorks

Really sorry if this has been asked before, I couldn't find a similar question, 

So when I search Google to see if I can get a reduction in council tax I see.... "If you get the guarantee part of Pension Credit"
What does that actually mean?

I've just reached retiring ager, I don't receive any other pension or benefits 

I get £175 state pension and £43 pension credit,

Can I get a reduction in council tax or a reduction in anything else? 

Marcon

Jon_yorks said:

Really sorry if this has been asked before, I couldn't find a similar question, 

So when I search Google to see if I can get a reduction in council tax I see.... "If you get the guarantee part of Pension Credit"
What does that actually mean?

I've just reached retiring ager, I don't receive any other pension or benefits 

I get £175 state pension and £43 pension credit,

Can I get a reduction in council tax or a reduction in anything else? 

Have you just googled generally, or checked on your local council's website? You need to do the latter if you've not yet done so: https://www.gov.uk/apply-for-council-tax-discount That will tell you the details of any scheme your local council operates.

This is probably better asked on the benefits board, so I've asked for it to be moved to that board, which can be found at https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/categories/benefits-tax-credits

flaneurs_lobster

If you Google "guarantee pension credit" you'll see that it's the part of pension credit that tops up your state pension to reach the £218/week minimum, so yes you are in receipt of this bit of pension credit.

There are other parts of pension credit that may be applicable (for eg disabilities) but these are the "non-guarantee" bits.

Others will know what benefits/reductions are available to you, or try asking on the Benefits and Tax Credits forum

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/categories/benefits-tax-credits

maxmycardagain

Jon_yorks said:

Really sorry if this has been asked before, I couldn't find a similar question, 

So when I search Google to see if I can get a reduction in council tax I see.... "If you get the guarantee part of Pension Credit"
What does that actually mean?

I've just reached retiring ager, I don't receive any other pension or benefits 

I get £175 state pension and £43 pension credit,

Can I get a reduction in council tax or a reduction in anything else? 

If youve just retired how come your getting the OLD state pension?

HillStreetBlues

maxmycardagain said:

Jon_yorks said:

Really sorry if this has been asked before, I couldn't find a similar question, 

So when I search Google to see if I can get a reduction in council tax I see.... "If you get the guarantee part of Pension Credit"
What does that actually mean?

I've just reached retiring ager, I don't receive any other pension or benefits 

I get £175 state pension and £43 pension credit,

Can I get a reduction in council tax or a reduction in anything else? 

If youve just retired how come your getting the OLD state pension?

Maybe I'm missing something but why would the OP be getting the old one?

Newcad

maxmycardagain said:

If youve just retired how come your getting the OLD state pension?

I believe that it is possible if you have continued working and deferred your old state pension until your 70's or further.

You still reached SPA before 2016 but haven't claimed it until now.

PS. I have a friend who kept working and  deferred his until he was 74, just after the Covid lockdowns/furlough when he decided it wasn't worth going back.

I'm not sure but assume that my friend gets the old state pension (as well as his works pension so no PC).

kaMelo

maxmycardagain said:

Jon_yorks said:

Really sorry if this has been asked before, I couldn't find a similar question, 

So when I search Google to see if I can get a reduction in council tax I see.... "If you get the guarantee part of Pension Credit"
What does that actually mean?

I've just reached retiring ager, I don't receive any other pension or benefits 

I get £175 state pension and £43 pension credit,

Can I get a reduction in council tax or a reduction in anything else? 

If youve just retired how come your getting the OLD state pension?

It is entirely possible the OP is being paid a new state pension but doesn't qualify for a full amount.

Northern_Wanderer

If you look at your Pension Credit Award letter it will tell you if you are getting Guarantee Credit or Savings Credit. Guarantee Credit entitles you to more things like Housing Benefit or Council Tax Reduction, Savings Credit will only get you a free TV Licence (EDITED age 75+) and Winter Heating Allowance.

You could do a benefit check to see what you might be entitled to. https://www.entitledto.co.uk/

sheramber

Newcad said:

maxmycardagain said:

If youve just retired how come your getting the OLD state pension?

I believe that it is possible if you have continued working and deferred your old state pension until your 70's or further.

You still reached SPA before 2016 but haven't claimed it until now.

PS. I have a friend who kept working and  deferred his until he was 74, just after the Covid lockdowns/furlough when he decided it wasn't worth going back.

I'm not sure but assume that my friend gets the old state pension (as well as his works pension so no PC).

OP states he has just reached retrirement age.

Murphybear

Northern_Wanderer said:

If you look at your Pension Credit Award letter it will tell you if you are getting Guarantee Credit or Savings Credit. Guarantee Credit entitles you to more things like Housing Benefit or Council Tax Reduction, Savings Credit will only get you a free TV Licence and Winter Heating Allowance.

You could do a benefit check to see what you might be entitled to. https://www.entitledto.co.uk/

You have to be 75+ as well as getting Pension Credit to get a free tv licence.  If you rent your h8me you will be eligible to get some or all of your rent paid.  

dollypeeps

I believe each council is different so you’ll need to check with your council.
My mum has PC and gets a 25% discount on hers.