Housing Benefit: Notional income from pension fund

bkmla

I have a Self-Invested Personal Pension. I also have a Housing Benefit claim. And I live in Glasgow.

I have £22,650 in my pension fund. I receive no pension payments.

As I am 67 years-old, I can opt to withdraw cash from my pension fund.

Given this, I think that for the purpose of calculating my rate of Housing Benefit, the Council can include in its computation notional income relating to my pension fund; thus, reducing my rate of Housing Benefit.

A few years, ago I began sending copies of my annual statements detailing how much I had in my pension fund. Initially, Glasgow City Council did nothing, but this morning the I received a letter from the Council saying that I had been overpaid in benefit to the tune of £742.41. 

Notional income of £13.85 is included in their computation of my weekly rate of benefit. The Council didn't mention the source of the notional income, but I'm pretty sure that it relates to my pension fund.

Can anyone supply me with a link that will give me more information on this type of situation?

If the £13.85 is related to my pension fund, I would like to check to see if this figure is accurate.

huckster

Given this relates to Scotland you might want to seek local advice, as sometimes benefit rules are different to England/Wales.

But yes Council will work out approximately how much you might receive from pension and make a deduction for a notional amount. 

You should ask the Council for details of their calculation and then ask advice services whether the basis of calculation appears correct.

https://scotland.shelter.org.uk/professional_resources/legal/benefits/housing_benefit/income_and_capital

sheramber

https://www.glasgow.gov.uk/article/2479/Contact-Revenues-and-Benefits

tacpot12

This is my go-to reference on Notional Income: Notional income from pensions - too notional for some advisers? – Benefits in the Future

The notional income used in your HB calculation will have come from your pension provider. They are required by law to provide the information if the DWP or local authority requests it.