pension credit

purplepercy

Hi don't know if this is the right thread for this topic , just wondering if anyone can tell me why when i applied for pension credit i was turned down but then when i received entitlement to carers allowance(no money as already claiming pension) i was entitled to pension credit but then when carers allowance stopped so did pension credit. I can't get my round why potentially receiving more money via another benefit gained me pension credit but when it stopped so did pension credit, in reality my money was the same before carers entitlement was taken into account. would be grateful if anyone has any explanation

molerat

Better in the Benefits board, I have reported for moving.

Baldytyke88

"Higher Income Exceptions. You might still qualify even if your income is higher than the standard threshold if you:

• Work as a carer.
• Have a severe disability.
• Pay certain housing costs (such as service charges or mortgage interest).
• Are responsible for a child or young person living with you."

https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/money-legal/benefits-entitlements/pension-credit/

Spoonie_Turtle

The way Pension Credit is calculated is it sets a level to which it tops up your income.

The standard amount for a single person is £238/week so if your income is below that you'll receive some PC to top it up. If your income is above that you ordinarily won't.

However caring for someone raises that level to £286.15. So if you care for someone and are entitled to Carers Allowance (whether you receive any or not*) you will qualify Pension Credit if your income is below that - even if it's above the standard PC threshold.

*Most people don't actually receive Carers Allowance and State Pension because they're overlapping benefits. The only time someone claiming their state pension would receive any Carers Allowance is if their state pension were lower than CA, and then they'd receive the difference between their pension and CA. In that case their income from the state would be the princely sum of £86.45/week! So unless they had £200+ in income from elsewhere they would certainly qualify for Pension Credit.