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Conference: Navigating Pensioner Benefits

In this Conference we delved into some of the more complex areas of Pensioner Benefits

Any questions? Please email: training@ucnotes.co.uk


Comments from delegates who attended the Conference:

"I thoroughly enjoyed the conference day.
I found it very informative, relevant and engaging."

 
"Very clear, well-structured and informative."
 
"Depth and clarity of information, explained with relatable case studies."

10.00am: Changes ahead for some
HMRC want to close down Tax Credit at the end of the current tax year. For those pensioners that receive Tax Credits - whether Working Tax Credits or Child Tax Credit - it means that these claimants will become part of the Migration process. 


In this presentation we looked at:

- which pensioners are affected

- what they will be expected to do and when

- who will be offered Universal Credit as an alternative


1A: Driving Forward: Working Age to Pension Age Benefits

In this workshop we explored how turning State Pension age affects working age claimants' benefits. Topics included:

- Becoming a mixed age couples - who can stay on the legacy benefit system, what about MACs already on UC?

- Personal Independence Payment - getting a new component added after turning 66

- Universal Credit - moving onto Pension Credit and Housing Benefit

- Time limits and process for claiming State Pension age benefits

- Carers Allowance and potential impact on the person being cared for

 

1B: Tax Credit pensioners - destination UC?

This workshop built on the information from earlier in the morning. It explored the options and risks for those pensioners receiving Tax Credits who will become part of the migration process.

We'll looked at:

- who will be offered Pension Credit / who will be offered UC

- the risks and implications

- who will get Transitional Protection (and who won't)

- special rules introduced for these claimants.

 

 

 

2A: Charting the Course for State Pension age Carers

In this workshop we examined which pensioners could be missing out on carers benefits. 

We looked at:

- who is eligible for Carers Allowance/Carer Support Payment

- who has, and what it means to have an 'underlying entitlement'

- the impact on Pension Credit

- which couples can have a double SDP and a double Carers Premium. 



 

2B: Becoming a Mixed Age Couple - the best route

This workshop investigated the options for couples when they become a mixed age couple:

- can they stay on the legacy benefit system (for now)?

- what if they've received a Migration Notice: timing of their claim will be crucial! 

Using case studies, we explained the rules and examined what options a mixed age couple has to maximise income and avoid preventable loss of income (which could be over £500 a month!).




 

3A: Housing Benefit - the relevant bits

This workshop considered the Housing Benefit rules that are particularly relevant for State Pension age claimants so that accurate advice can be given.

This workshop took learners through key topics such as:

- who is a protected mixed age couple?

- the savings/capital rules - what if someone has a house to sell?

- how absences from home affects an award and

- when a pensioner can claim HB even though they have over £16,000 in savings.




 

3B: Mixed Age Couples - maximising Universal Credit

This workshop explored the areas where Mixed Age Couples on UC could be missing out.

We looked at:

- Which pensioners should be 'treated as' having a LCW / LCWRA

- Which pensioners can have a Work Capability Assessment and the impact this can have on the couples award

- How making the claim for UC before they become a Mixed Age Couple can maximise their UC award.