Mixed Age Couple on U.C. cannot claim Pension Credit

Yellowbug
Yellowbug Online Community Member Posts: 5 Listener
in Universal Credit (UC)

My parents have been on U.C. for a while now and my father will be pension age in a couple months. U.C have contacted them and told my Dad he has to claim State Pension, he contacted State Pension and they told him he doesn't qualify due to not enough N.I. contributions.

Then U.C. said he must claim Pension Credit but that is not possible either due to my mother being under pension age. My mother is also very ill and my Dad is carer for her. Under U.C. you cannot claim Pension Credit if you are claiming U.C. while part of a mixed age couple where one of the couple is still under State Pension age.

U.C. told them if my dad doesn't claim either State Pension or Pension Credit they will no longer be able to receive U.C. I helped them explain this in their U.C. Journal but they are worried about what happens next.

Comments

  • Kimi87
    Kimi87 Online Community Member Posts: 6,899 Championing

    I wouldn't rely on UC for benefits advice, they administer claims.

    Speak to a trained benefits advisor

    https://advicefinder.turn2us.org.uk/

  • Yellowbug
    Yellowbug Online Community Member Posts: 5 Listener

    Thanks Kimi, I may do that depending on what U.C. says as a reply on my Dad's Journal. I was posting as I wondered if anyone had similar issue or knows more than I do.

  • Lauren29
    Lauren29 Online Community Member Posts: 145 Empowering

    As they are a mixed age couple he can't claim Pension Credit. You say that he has attempted to claim the State Pension that he hasn't made enough National Insurance Contributions. Is he entitled to no State Pension or a reduced amount? Does he have a statement from Pensions Service that he could provide to UC as evidence? It would be a good idea to get advice from CAB or similar.

  • Yellowbug
    Yellowbug Online Community Member Posts: 5 Listener

    Hi Lauren, He spoke to State Pension today and they confirmed he was not eligible for any State Pension at all and they would be updating the system to show that. They also sent a letter that should be with him in a couple weeks to this effect. This letter will be used as evidence.

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