Pension credit cancelled

Esty76

Hi all, my dad applied for pension credit, back in Feb. Finally in June he was awarded and backdated as well as guaranteed element. He's 83. So this meant he could finally get dentist treatment. Abd his rent paid etc. So made his life do much better. 
Now, December, they've wrote and said they hadn't realised his IIB (Industrial injury benefit) of £22, should have been included So he's now not entitled. 
He's now getting £2 a week. Lost guaranteed element so now has to pay full rent and council tax and dentist again. He's beside himself. 
Is this right? Should we appeal or re-apply? 
Doesn't feel right?
Thanks all

Famau

There is a cliff edge with pension credit I'm afraid.  That said, if he is so close to, even if above, the pension credit threshhold then I would have thought he would qualify for council tax reduction and housing benefit.  I'd suggest asking citizens advice for a benefit check - that should clarify any entitlement.

OutdoorQueen

As above, I would also suggest an appointment with Citizens Advice. 

Is he claiming Attendance Allowance? 

 If the situation with Pension Credit is correct, ask them whether Attendance Allowance could be claimed.   This is not means tested and unfortunately doesn’t bring the same advantages as Pension Credit but could still mean some extra money. 

https://www.gov.uk/attendance-allowance

Brie

As I understand it it's one of those carp benefits that for the sake of 1p you do or do not get it.  I know people who are not looking at pensions they should be paid because they are insignificant compared to the benefit of getting pension credit.  

Esty76

Thanks all he gets attendance allowance. Yes, but they said this IIB wasn't accounted for and should now be classed as a pension. However took all money away. I'm hoping at back payment can't be asked to be repaid but I still think paying full rent dentist council tax etc is a joke? 

Growingold

Esty76 said:

Thanks all he gets attendance allowance. Yes, but they said this IIB wasn't accounted for and should now be classed as a pension. However took all money away. I'm hoping at back payment can't be asked to be repaid but I still think paying full rent dentist council tax etc is a joke? 

He could see if he's entitled to Help with Health Costs by applying for an HC2
HC2 certificates (full help with health costs)

He can check here if he is entitled
https://check-for-help-paying-nhs-costs.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/start

Keep_pedalling

This is posted on the wrong board, I have asked for it to be moved to the benefits board where it should get more response.

Keep_pedalling

How long has he been on IIDB? Has the condition he gets this for got worse? £22pw is a very low amount I would have thought the minimum payment would be double that.

https://www.gov.uk/industrial-injuries-disablement-benefit/what-youll-get

xylophone

 I know people who are not looking at pensions they should be paid because they are insignificant compared to the benefit of getting pension credit.  

They might find themselves with  a robustly worded letter from DWP.......

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/pension-freedoms-and-dwp-benefits/pension-freedoms-and-dwp-benefits

If you (or your partner) are over the qualifying age for Pension Credit

Once you (or your partner) reach the qualifying age for Pension Credit, you are expected to use your pension or pensions to help support yourself.

If you choose not to buy an annuity after reaching the qualifying age for Pension Credit, an amount of ‘notional’ income will be taken into account when your benefit is worked out. ‘Notional’ income (in this case) is an amount equivalent to the income you would have received if you had bought an annuity.

If you take an income from your pension pot, the amount which will be taken into account when assessing your benefit will be the higher of the actual income or notional income. If you take a cash lump sum, this will be taken into account as capital.

It is your responsibility to tell DWP – and your local council where appropriate – if you or your partner take any money from your pension pot.

Murphybear

OutdoorQueen said:

As above, I would also suggest an appointment with Citizens Advice. 

Is he claiming Attendance Allowance? 

 If the situation with Pension Credit is correct, ask them whether Attendance Allowance could be claimed.   This is not means tested and unfortunately doesn’t bring the same advantages as Pension Credit but could still mean some extra money. 

https://www.gov.uk/attendance-allowance

Having a state Pension and 2 small works pensions I was not eligible for Pension Credit but did get about half of my rent and council tax paid.   After talking to Citizens Advice I applied for Attendance Allowance and received it.  CA also advised me to apply for PC again and I did get it.  I don’t know the technical reason but getting AA changes the threshold for PC.  Now I get all my rent and council tax paid.  

I know a lot of pensioners are on MSE forums so I would urge you to do a benefit check, you may be surprised.    .  If you are not sure about the application then CA and Age U.K.  are very helpful.  Be aware that it can take quite a long time to hear about your application - in my case I waited 13 months  .  I spoke to the DWP and was told they didn’t know why it had taken so long.  You do get paid from the date of your application so it can be a nice surprise when a lump sum appears in your bank account  , it’s quite common to get the money before you get a letter telling you your claim has been successful. 

Rubyroobs

Brie said:

As I understand it it's one of those carp benefits that for the sake of 1p you do or do not get it.  I know people who are not looking at pensions they should be paid because they are insignificant compared to the benefit of getting pension credit.  

Surely if people are eligible to claim private pensions then they should be made to take them rather than claiming pension credit ? I think it even asks on the Pension credit form whether you have private pensions you are not claiming?
Sorry cross post with Xylophone.