As some may know, After turning 65 last month and receiving a State Pension, I am currently battling the DWP to get Pension Credit so I can continue to claim Support for Mortgage Interest on my Home mortgage. I have been refused but I am currently in the Mandatory Reconsideration phase after discovering through this site, that the DWP's own Guidlines for Decision Makers say I am entitled to it! However what I did not know (and members should be aware of) that although I had a SMI loan before I got my Pension, that stops when my ESA (Support Group) stopped when I became 65. No-one from the DWP tells you this and even though you had an existing loan, when you apply for Pension Credit, YOU MUST RE-APPLY for SMI! I have also since discovered that if you apply for Pension Credit and get it if you were refused on the grounds of have too much income. YOU CAN STILL APPLY FOR AND GET AN SMI LOAN AS IF YOU WERE IN RECEIPT OF PENSION CREDIT! The DWP keep that very quiet!! By Chance my local MP is Amber Rudd, the current Work & Pensions Secretary So I have written to her as well over this farce. I will keep members informed
