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Pension credit and severe disability allowance.
Lorelie
Member Posts: 2 Listener
Hi Simon.. I hope you're well. I'm new to Scope and have been trying to get used to finding my way around the community.
I've been told because I've no carer that I can put in for Severe Disability Allowance that would be added to my Pension Credit (I'm in receipt of government pension with PC. I'm 64) If I did get the SA allowance added, would it affect my housing benefit and council tax benefit? I will be getting pip (standard) and mobility at £22 at the end of September.
I've been told because I've no carer that I can put in for Severe Disability Allowance that would be added to my Pension Credit (I'm in receipt of government pension with PC. I'm 64) If I did get the SA allowance added, would it affect my housing benefit and council tax benefit? I will be getting pip (standard) and mobility at £22 at the end of September.
Replies
Welcome to Scope's online community! It's great to have you on board.
I've moved this post into our Ask a Benefits Advisor category, as I think they may be best placed to answer this for you.
@BenefitsTrainingCo, can you help?
To receive the Severe Disability Premium on your Pension Credit you [email protected]
(1) and award of PIP Daily Living (which you have)
(2) no carer (which you have)
(3) no other adult in the house, unless they are also in receipt of PIP or DLA.
If you are entitled, then it won't cause other benefits to go down, and in in some cases and result in them increasing.
To get it added, call the Pensions Service on the number on your Pension Credit letter, or perhaps your local Age UK or council office can help you.
Hope this helps - do let us know if we can be of any further assistance!
Kind regards,
Mary
Mary has explained above what the criteria is for Severe Disability Premium. The only way of finding out whether you get it or not is to check your latest entitlement notice as the premiums are broken down, or you could give them a call, or visit your local advice centre. The SDP is currently £62.45 and it will clearly show on your entitlement letter if you receive it.
Lee
Pension Credit is a means-tested top up to a low income for a pensioner. It ensures that pensioners are at least receiving the minimum amount that the government says they need to live on as it tops up their income to the minimum level.
The current amounts are £159.35 for a single person and £243.25 for a couple, although it can be higher for pensioners with disability benefits.
Lee
No, you don't need to be on Pension Credit for the severe disability premium to be relevant. It's also included in income-related ESA. If your ESA has gone down, then that could be because the premium isn't included in your calculation any more.
To get the premium, you would need to meet the conditions my colleague Mary lists above, including getting the daily living component of Personal Independence Payment. If you're not getting that at all (which is possible if you were appealing against a decision which didn't award you any PIP daily living, and the DWP have appealed against your appeal decision), then you won't get the premium.
As Lee says, I would look at your most recent ESA award notice to see if there's an amount of £62.45 in the calculation. If not, then it looks like you are not getting the SDP. You would need PIP daily living to be awarded before you can get it back.
Unfortunately the DWP are allowed to suspend payment of your benefit whilst they are appealing a decision which awards you the benefit, as long as they have informed you that they are appealing.
Because the DWP can only appeal on a point of law, it's a good idea to get locally-based advice to help you with the next stage. If their appeal is heard, it will be at the Upper Tribunal. You might be able to get advice from a local Citizens Advice Bureau or a specific disability charity.
Will