Advice please on changing from WTC to Pension Guarantee Benefit

[Mother's Little Helper]

Sadly, when the Working Tax Credit ends for pensioners in April I will have to apply for Pension Guarantee Benefit. Is there anything I need to know about doing this?

 

Will I have to wind up my business. Although it did create a very small income in the past has not made enough to pay me anything recently. I have had to reduce the hours I put in because of the increased care my mother needs. Obviously I told the WTC people about that and my WTC payment has been reduced pro rata. I think, by the time we get to April, it will be going in the direction of a hobby (same hours of work but I don't think I will make any income) but I would like to continue if possible as it is a distraction from some of the less easy parts of caring .

 

Will the benefits people just regard no income from it as no income or will they assess a number of hours at the Minimum Income Floor they are using for working age people?

 

I would rather not apply but I really cannot afford to run a car on just my state pension and getting to my mother and particularly taking her to clinics, etc., would be pretty near impossible without it. I cannot claim Carers Allowence because I am getting State Pension but is there anything that would help me help her?

 

Thank you for any help you can give.

[Nystagmite]

If you receive the state pension, you may have an underlying entitlement to carers allowance. This means that if awarded pension credit, housing benefit or council tax benefit, you'll get a carers premium within your benefits.

[Mother's Little Helper]

Thank you Nystagmite. Do you have any suggestion where would be the best place to get help with this as I am feeling quite out of my depth? I have a feeling I am not "caring" for enough hours but it may well increase so it would be good to understand this area. As I tried to say, I could manage if it was just for me but I do want to care for Mum as best I can.

[Nystagmite]

Is there an Age UK (I think that's what they call themselves now) near you? CAB can also give you advice too.

[Mother's Little Helper]

Good idea, thank you. I have just realised that I have always thought of organisations such as Age UK as people I would go to for help with my mother; I have now got to accept it applies to me too:-)