Hi, my name is Loobylou22! Will they take debts from my pension or PIP?

Loobylou22

Hi. Thank you for letting me join. Hope to be an active member if I can.

Loobylou22

hi. Just navigating my way around. Thank you for the welcome.

Albus_Scope

Heya @Loobylou22 and it's a big welcome from me too. 😊

If you need support with anything, please just shout. Or if you're looking to chat, I recommend checking out the https://forum.scope.org.uk/categories/coffee-lounge. 😊

Loobylou22

Hi there. If I need some advice do I post my question here or do I need to go to relevant section. Have tried to open how to use community but get message saying page not found. Am new here so may just be doing things wrong.

Albus_Scope

Not a problem at all @Loobylou22 you're welcome to just post your question here, the team can always move and rename the discussion if needed. 😊

luvpink

@Loubyloo22

Hi and a very warm welcome from me.

Bluebell21

Hi @Loubyloo22 Welcome to the Community from me too. I hope you enjoy your time on the forum. Any questions just ask.

You might like to look in the Coffee Lounge under Categories for chats.

Take care.

Loobylou22

Thank you for your reply. Hope this is appropriate to ask regarding benefits and the future.
We are a married couple. Husband gets his pension (reduced) and I reach pension age next July. We claim UC but have a deduction for overpayment. That’s a long story but DWP mistake which despite appealing we have to repay. I have PIP which last year was made ongoing award so assume this will continue post pension.
I had to give up work 5 years ago due to health reasons and we get all the relevant payments from UC including carers element. No carers allowance as hubby has state pension.
My husband diagnosed with Alzheimer’s 18 months ago and we were awarded AA higher rate. I did let UC know at the time. My first question is should we also get carers element for caring for him too. He has cognitive issues but is still able to do the caring for me as my difficulties are physical so we effectively care for each other now. It actually works quite well with a little help from the kids now and again. I was unsure about carers allowance as I was scared the UC claim would close and wasn’t sure how the debt would then be paid back. Very naive re benefits sadly.
The second part of my query was if the debt is not paid back by the tile I start getting my pension will they take the money out of our pensions and anyone any idea at what rate this would be. Or would they take it from PIP or AA.
Sorry for such a long post and thanks for reading. Happy to explain further if needed.

Albus_Scope

No problem at all @Loobylou22 I've renamed the discussion and moved it to the benefits category, so more people in the know will be able to find it and hopefully offer some top advice. 😊

Usually, any debts to the DWP will be taken from any benefits first, preferably a lump sum payment, such as PIP backpay. Though if that's not an option, they'll usually take a bit out of a regular payment lie PIP. I'm not sure what the repayment rate would be, but it's not usually anything too outrageous.

Loobylou22

Thank you for that. Much appreciated x

poppy123456

Does your UC include the LCWRA element? If it does then the same person can’t receive carers element at the same time. In this case your UC should include 1 carers element and 1 LCWRA element.

Loobylou22

Hi poppy123456.
Yes I get LCWRA and there is 1 carers element. So all is right then. Thank you for your reply.

poppy123456

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/923896#Comment_923896

Yes, that's correct. You are already receiving your maximum UC entitlement.

Loobylou22

TY. Such as it is. Do you know about the debt thing if it’s not paid back in time what percentage they take off and where from. PIP, AA or our pensions.

poppy123456

Once you reach state pension age yourself you maybe entitled to some Pension Credit. You'll need to use a benefits calculator nearer the time. Especially if there's no other adults living with you because there will be entitlement to Severe Disability Addition (known as SDP in other benefits)

If you're unable to use a benefits calculator near the time then it will be worth getting a full benefits check from an agency near you.

Debt owed to DWP can be taken from Pension Credit.

Loobylou22

Thanks Poppy. I live with my husband. He has Alzheimer’s but is physically very well and active at the moment. Probably just getting anxious about the future finances. Whilst hubby is well at the moment and we manage to care for each other I am aware that may change at any point. I am pretty immobile which is unlikely to change so aware that we both may need a bit more care in the near future. He talks a lot about not wanting to be looked after outside of the home and when he stresses he does get very confused.
Sorry rambling on a bit. Thanks for your advice though.