ESA to state pension-question about council tax reduction

harlequincat

I get ESA and am in the support group, and I get full council tax reduction. Later this month I go onto the state pension-I have already applied for it and I don't get the full amount-I'm about £10 to £15 short of the full amount a week. I won't get a work pension or a private pension and I have less than £6,000 in savings.  I am worried incase I will no longer get council tax reduction once my ESA stops.  This would have the knock on effect of my not being able to use the PDSA, as getting council tax reduction means I can use their services at present. I have applied for pension credit online and a benefits advisor (who doesn't work for the DWP) said that the rules say I should get pension credit but he wouldn't say 100% that I would. This has left me feeling highly anxious and stressed out. (Getting pension credit would mean I could get council tax reduction). Can anyone give me any firm information? 

poppy123456

Assuming you're either single or living with a partner that's either state pension age or above then yes you can apply for Pension Credit. 

As a single person PC will top up your weekly income to £201.05/week. See link. https://www.gov.uk/pension-credit/eligibility (£306.85/couples)

This means that if your State pension is less than £201.05/week then you'll be entitled to Pension Credit.

If there's any entitlement to Pension Credit then this will mean that you'll also be entitled to full Council Tax reduction and full housing benefit (if you're claiming this) Pension credit is the passport to free NHS treatment and the last cost of living payment coming next year, as well as some other things too.

Are you claiming a disability benefit such as either PIP daily living, DLA mid/high rate care, ADP daily living? If so do you live alone? does anyone claim either carers allowance or carers element of Universal Credit for looking after you?

Kimi87

Even if you don't get PC you can still apply for CTR on the basis of low income.
It might not be 100% (each Local Authority runs their own scheme so criteria and awards differ), but with that income and level of savings you should IMO get a high percentage paid still. 

harlequincat

Thank you both for replying. 
Poppy, I live alone and don't get PIP (have never applied) or DLA, though when I saw an advisor some years ago, he told me I would have got it. (PIP had replaced it by then so I couldn't apply for it).  I don't have a carer, but I do have a befriender from MIND for emotional and psychological support. I will be getting about £188 a week state pension, so will be under the figure of £201 which you mentioned. 
Kimmy, thank you for reassuring me that I will get  some council tax reduction even if, for some reason, they don't give me pension credit. 

poppy123456

Based on the information you gave there would be some entitlement to PC. This will passport you to full CTR and HB (if applicable)

You may want to consider applying for PIP before you reach state pension age. Providing you apply before you reach this age then it can be awarded after that date. Once you reach this age then you'll need to claim Attendance Allowance. AA has no mobility part like PIP. https://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/personal-independence-payment-pip

Jimm_Alumni

Hi @harlequincat, welcome to our community

I'm not sure what else I could add that hasn't already been said by some of our members! I would really suggest following their advice on getting the benefits you're entitled to. If you think speaking to someone in person might help I highly recommend reaching out to a local benefits adviser. Turn2Us also have a benefits calculator to show what else you might be entitled to.

Do let us know if you've anymore questions or queries