Advice on DWP cutting mothers pension credit to almost nothing

cheekyweegit · 3 October at 6:28PM

If you moved into care for your mum she would be entitled to a 12 week run on of the Extra Amount for Severe Disability Premium, but she would need to tell DWP that at the time you moved in.

Other ways you could be disregarded, would be if you received a Disability Benefit in your own right eg Disability Living Allowance Care Component, but has to be middle or high rate care.(mobility doesn't count)

Personal Independence Payment again the care component (mobility doesn't count)

Attendance Allowance at any rate.

Any of the Scottish equivalent benefits.

You are registered blind

You jointly own the property or jointly rent it and moved in / the liability for it started on the same date.. Eg if your mum has moved to a new property and you are both on a joint tenancy which started 01.01.25 and you are note listed as a non dep then your mum would get to keep her premium.

Same if you bought a house together and moved in at same time, but if you are just added to a current tenancy / ownership then sorry it's a no.

If you are considering moving in the future, get in touch with Pension Credit if you are going to be joint owners / tenants as she should get the premium back. A lot of folks don't realise this.

Might be worth looking into if you are entitled to the Universal Credit Carers Element to bring some extra income into the household. Even 1p Universal Credit can open doors to other things.

Don't forget if your mum is 75 or over even if your not she will qualify for a free TV licence.

Your mum may also qualify for social tariffs for her utility bills if she gets the Guarantied Element of Pension Credit and this can add up. This is cheaper rates for the utility bills as you are on means tested benefits.

Finally if your mum has not already done so and gets the Guaranteed Element of PC and doesn't have Power of Attorney set up, she would qualify for the fee waiver scheme for registration of these if she / you were happy to download and complete the forms for this. It's amazing just how many folks don't realise this and think they need to use a solicitor costing hundreds of pounds.

TELLIT01 · 3 October at 8:44PM

It might be worth seeing if your local Citizens Advice can help. Some have very capable people dealing with DWP related issues. Unfortunately that is not universal.