HOUSING /COUNCIL TAX RELIEF ?

Lachie

Hi , I'm due to recieve my State pension from Jan '23 & currently recieve Rent & council tax relief through UC / LCWRA , however it seems that I will have to re apply to keep these benefit aids !. My issue is that after contacting my local council by both phone & e mail I'm not getting any reassurances of my entitlements which as it stands certainly in this current inflation ridden economy is highly worrying that it looks like I will be considerably worse off when I recieve my pension.  Obviously I'm aware that most of the country are struggling but with no  credible Government at present the whole social system is breaking down & at present see no light at the end of the tunnel . (ITS GOING TO BE A COLD HARD WINTER & BEYOND!!). Sorry about the ' rant ' but I've got it off my chest .

calcotti

You shouldn’t need to reapply for Council Tax Reduction (it isn’t part of UC) but you will need to apply for Housing Benefit because your UC will end. Your last payment of UC will be for the whole monthly period in which you reach pension age. Your HB claim can start from your birthday.

Have you tried using a benefits calculator to see what your entitlement may be. In general I would someone claiming pension age benefits to have a higher overall entitlement than before reaching pension age.

Use a calculator for your existing situation and then recalculate pretending that you are a year older.

poppy123456

Your local Authority aren't benefits advisors which is why they won't tell you how much your entitlement will be. Use this benefits calculator. https://www.entitledto.co.uk/benefits-calculator/Intro/Home?cid=28e27aae-42f2-4a3a-b676-a19ca262b1d1

Lachie

Hi again , Thanks for your previous great advice .

My enquiry this time maybe is obvious but as I'm not sure maybe you could confirm .

My Pension is due from 13/01/2023  but as my last UC / LCWRA payment is due 02/12/2022  there is a 11 day gap in payments , will UC make up the difference?.

I have confirmation of my Pension already & have been told by Highland Council to apply around my birthday 13/01/2023 for future housing benefit etc but due to these current difficult times just need some reassurance in any case.

A Happy Christmas to you all !

Lachie.

calcotti

Your post is slightly confused because you refer to an 11 day gap but your dates are 6 weeks apart so I’m having to guess exactly what you meant.

LCWRA is part of UC. if you are paid UC on 2nd of the month that suggests your monthly assessment period is roughly between 26th to 25th of the month.you  

It isn’t clear if 13/01/2023 is the date you reach pension age or whether it is the date you are expecting your first pension payment. I’m guessing you mean the latter.

You  will get paid UC for the assessment period in which you reach pension age so will get one UC payment after reaching pension age but the last UC payment will be reduced by a deduction for your pension entitlement accrued (which could mean nothing is payable).

If 13th January is the date you reach pension age then your final UC payment will be 2nd February.

If 13th January is your first pension payment I’m guessing you reaching pension age in around 15th December. If so you would be due a final UC payment on 2nd January (and I suspect this is what you meant).

If that is correct the 11 day ‘gap’ is covered by your State Pension because the pension is paid in arrears.

Have you applied for Housing Benefit? Your entitlement will start from the date you reach pension age. UC will be paying help in that last UC payment so you will actually get the help twice for the overlapping period (from 15th December to 25th December based on my guess of the relevant dates).

Lachie

Sorry for the confusion , I reach Pension age at 13/1/23 & have been told i will get my 1st Pension payment on 02/02/23 which left a gap for UC of 02/1/23 until 13/1/23.

I tried to apply for housing benefit already but was told to wait till my Pension due date to do so .

However I do understand your explanation & I'll just have to wait and see I guess , I just think on reaching Pensionable age things would have been more transparent. 

Many thanks for your kind reply & hope I've not confused you & myself more , I'm sure it will work out eventually , unfortunately I'm a born worrier .

Thanks again .

calcotti

Your final UC payment date will be 2nd February for the assessment period 26th December to 25th January (thereabouts). There will be a deduction for your pension entitlement for the period 13th January to 25th January.

Your local authority should have allowed you to make an advance claim - although they may not be able to process it until you reach your pension age and can verify your SP amount.

Lachie

Thanks Calcotti , your info is very appreciated !.

All the best ......

calcotti

One change you will note is that you are used to get your UC on the same day every month. State Pension is paid every four weeks so you will get paid on a different date each month and in one month of the year you will get two SP payments. It means that if income is tight you have to budget slightly differently.

Do you get PIP, if so do you get Daily Living?

Lachie

Yes I understand the payment difference but don't qualify for Pension credit apparently & never had PIP.

On the plus side I suppose I do qualify for the Full state Pension & with the cost of living increase in April & a successful Housing benefit claim ( that I get right now) I'm hopeful that the change be minimal .

Cheers Calcotti.

calcotti

Lachie said:

Yes I understand the payment difference but don't qualify for Pension credit apparently & never had PIP.

That’s correct if you are getting the full SP as this is slightly higher than the standard income guarantee provided by PC.

The reason I asked about PIP was that this could, in certain circumstances, also result in an increased entitlement to Pension Credit. 

You can still apply for PIP now if you think it might be relevant but would have to apply before reaching pension age. Just realised you are in Scotland so would now be Adult Disability Payment

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/scotland/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/adult-disability-payment-s/adult-disability-payment/adult-disability-payment-s/

After pension age if your health problems mean that you require help looking after yourself you could apply for Attendance Allowance. 

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/scotland/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/attendance-allowance/