Local Housing Allowance-Pension Credit-Early "Retirement"

[loan_ranger]

Here's a few on-line benefits calculators.

 

HB and LHA rates vary by regions known as "Broad Market Rental Areas" (BMRAs), therefore it is important that you also check on your own council's web-site's benefit calculator.

See "Check your eligibility for housing benefit" below.

Directgov: Check your eligibility for housing benefit

 

DWP and HMRC benefits and credits:

Benefits adviser service : Directgov - Do it online

 

Alternative "benefits search" c/o "Turn to us":

Benefits Search

 

The LHA-Direct website has been developed to enable tenants renting accommodation from a private landlord to calculate the possible amount of Housing Benefit available to them from their Local Authority.

https://lha-direct.voa.gov.uk/Secure/Default.aspx

 

I hope these are of some help to you in deciding, work out your income side first before working out the LHA for your flat, some benefits/credits are ignored for LHA calculations and others involve the "excess of income" taper where 65% of excess income is deducted from your LHA.

 

Best regards,

Paul.

[loan_ranger]

It's my understanding that Pension Credits are there to make your overall income up to £130 thereabouts (guaranteed minimum income level), when you qualify for the state pension an adjustment will be made to the PCs so that you continue to have the same guaranteed minimum income level.

 

Regards, Paul.

[loan_ranger]

Thanks Paul,

 

I was wondering this as in my earlier life I spent some time abroad and did not pay a "full stamp" to the NIS. I have often been told that this will reduce my State Pension award at age 65, but this all came about prior to "Pension Credits" and the like were dreamed up...

 

Somebody mentioned to me a short while ago that it is likely that Pension Credits will cease at age 65 when the State Pension kicks in....If I then receive less money, I can apparently apply for another "top-up" benefit which is related to the old "Supplementary Benefit."

 

Any comments ?

 

Thanks again,

 

Stupot

Hi Stupot, use this State Pension age calculator: Directgov - Pensions and retirement planning and it will tell you how many years N.I. you should have paid to qualify for the full state pension, however PCs will make this amount up to the £130ish.

 

Pension credits are in fact for those above the pension age, however under JSA rules and equality laws they allow males on JSA to get PCs from the same age as would a woman of the same age - currently 60 but the coalition may in future require corpses to carry on working.

[loan_ranger]

Pension Credit (PC)

 

PC is replacing IS/JSA-I for people aged 60 or over from October 2003. However:

 

• Men on JSA-I aged between 60 and 65 can choose between JSA-I & PC.
  
• If claimant is 60 or over but partner is under 60, they can choose between IS/JSA-I and PC. i.e. the person under 60 could claim IS/JSA-I.
  

Note: When choosing which benefit to claim a person should be aware of the different rules for each benefit to ensure that they will be better off. They should therefore seek advice.

PC does not include an amount for children so CTC should also be claimed if relevant.

Source:

Tax Credits and Pension Credit effects on other benefits

Please note that this page was written in 2003 and updated January 2005 and March 2007.