Turn to us V Gov calculator

mrsBB

Hi

So yesterday I was reading a post, I think on here, re Guaranteed Pension Credit ( think that's the name ) so thought lets give it a go 😂. I am not entitled to Pension Credit because I get a measly £3 odd over the threshold, no, I do not have millions in savings or several private pensions, its complicated but don't want anyone thinking ''I'm one of those pensioners'' 😮 I did try several calculators when I initially claimed State Pension ( thanks to Poppy for the suggestion ) Anyway, I first used Turn to us, its really good and told me clearly I could be entitled to £5 a week guaranteed pension credit and £20 a week housing something, ? council tax reduction perhaps ? I then thought, well I know good old Martin Lewis makes a huge point of claiming GPC even if its a small amount as it opens doors to lots of other things but thought I had best try the real deal too, the Government calculator. So I input the exact same info and figures to the letter and guess what 🤔 a Big Bold header came up saying Nope you cannot claim this, go away 🤣 I am perplexed but also resigned to the fact that PC or the other lesser part of it is a NO for me. I am luckier than many out there as I can just about manage financially ''for now'' so this isn't me being a moaning old so and so, its me wondering why 2 different calculators spit out two different outcomes when the data input is identical.

MW123

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/137347/turn-to-us-v-gov-calculator

Have you tried contacting Age UK? A retired friend of mine was told by the government’s Pension Credit calculator that she wasn’t eligible. I assumed that was the end of it, but someone else suggested she speak to Age UK directly, because she receives Attendance Allowance, although I’m still not entirely sure how that fits in, Age UK looked into it and confirmed she was eligible after all.

Here’s the strange bit. Even now, when she enters her details into the official calculator, it still says she doesn’t qualify. But she does, and she’s receiving it. That’s made a real difference, especially now she’s exempt from paying council tax.

mrsBB

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1055281#Comment_1055281

Hi MW, Thank you for the reply. Nope I haven't spoken to anyone in person about it, just thought well it says no, so no is no lol. I think Age UK have a chat section, not sure but I might try that, thank you for suggesting contacting them. It is really strange that one says I am entitled to something yet the other says no, very much like your friend being told no yet getting it !

I was wondering afterwards, if it would have changed the Gov outcome if I had pretended I had been granted the council tax reduction ? I might try again and say yes to that part, something clicked in my head that having that in place ( as Turn to us said yes entitled to the £20 a week reduction ) and selecting yes to getting the housing benefit ( I am guessing that means council tax reduction ) might give a different outcome on the Gov site ? I don't even know if I am explaining that part clearly 😂 the Gov doesn't do anything by halves haha and always word things more complicated than they need to be 🙄 as we all know too well. Thanks again MW 😊

Oh PS, I am not entitled to the full PC I know that myself, its complicated, things might have to change though at some point, just not yet, without going into detail. Its the lower rate that I am looking at applying for but I can see it being a big fat NO too lol but I will take your advice and speak to AGE UK as we never know unless we try.

Oh and another PS 🤣

screenshot from Turn to us

What's this made up of?

Guarantee Pension Credit£ 5.90 per week

Guarantee Pension Credit can be backdated for up to three months if you met the conditions earlier. Ask for this when you apply.

Council Tax Support£ 20.24 per week

Council Tax Support is paid as money off your council tax bill. Some councils call this benefit 'Council Tax Reduction'.