Offer to apply for my Pension....

Mr Roy

I had same experience as you. After my husband reached state pension age and after the letter you have had inviting you to apply for pension the ESA suddenly went up for know apparent reason. I think it is something to do with a premium for reaching pension age. Now a year on it is about to go down in June to take off the money for the state pension (we haven't claimed yet). Again the leet doesn't show why. The DWP were no help and wasn't sure. After an hour on phone they said it was something to do with pension.

Thank You Wolfchile......Very interesting reading your post there I must admit. Yes, I do not want to call the DWP, as I'm afraid I might cause problems with my Wife's claim on ESA ( IR and Support Group ) as it was a hell of a battle to get it, including appeals and a Court Tribunal, and I am nearly the same age as your Husband, and totally baffled what is going on ATM.. I think I shall wait and see what happens when her next ESA payment goes in, and if it has increased by the amount they have informed us I might just have to reluctantly call the ESA Query Line Tel number that Gary has posted......Cheers.....

Mr Roy...

Hi Mr Roy
This might be an opportunity to receive some clarification on the topic of losing income related esa if claiming state pension. If this becomes inevitable then it may still be possible to claim housing benefit as the income is still low. But also I'm sure I have come across something that says if a couple claim housing benefit then pension credit can be claimed . I am not sure but this may be applicable since the new pension credit rulings on mixed aged couples. I was wondering if the the team could clarify this for us ? Thank you.

I will ask this as a fresh question as this is a topic which I am sure is going to affect many people who use this site.

Hi again Mr Roy

If you refer to my question on this Forum today 'Changes to Pension Credit'.
It appears that you may be eligible to apply for Pension Credit once you receive your State Pension. (Any receipt of occupational pension may offset entitlement to Pension Credit.)
So, even if your partner loses their IR ESA, then the Pension Credit may be a reasonable alternative as it then keeps the passport to Housing Benefit & other means tested entitlements, and it will put you in a far better position than if you had to resort to, as you call it, the 'sinkhole' of Universal Credit.
The Government Website which is provided as a link in the answer to my query on this Forum, also has a Pension Advice Line telephone number, which could be used for further clarification.

The 'Turn2Us' organisation have a pension credit calculator on their website. They seem to be suggesting a top up amount for a couple to bring the income up from the basic state pension amount to £225 per week. (This is excluding Housing Benefit).
I am not sure, at present, how carer's allowance would factor into this, if it is claimable.
Good Luck with your journey.