Pension

[Susan Rudge]

Hi I have my date to start collecting my pension 6 May . I was told by pension people that they work together with carers allowance people and that all would be sorted. As yet I have received no notification from carers allowance as to when it stops. Do I have to notify them that I am pension age now ? Any information would be great thank you

[Ayjay]

I didn't: I didn't even think about it, but shortly before my State pension was due to begin I received a letter informing me that whilst I still qualified for CA it wouldn't be paid because I'd be receiving my pension.

[Susan Rudge]

That’s what I expected to hear but as yet nothing

[Jane Carers UK]

That’s what I expected to hear but as yet nothing

Hi Susan
I put your query to our advice line and received the following response:

The DWP will stop your Carer's Allowance as soon as you start getting your state pension. There will be a electronic notification and they should send you a letter letting you know that your Carer's Allowance payment will stop. This will be the case if your state pension is equal or greater than the current value of Carer's Allowance, i.e. £67.25 / week. The letter should also explain that you will retain an 'underlying entitlement' to Carer's Allowance. What does this mean? The 'underlying entitlement' to Carer's Allowance triggers a Carer Addition in the calculation of any potential entitlement to means-tested benefits that you and your partner (if applicable) may have: e.g. Pension Credits, Housing Benefit (if applicable) and/or council tax reduction.

However, to work out whether the underlying entitlement to Carer's Allowance may have a positive financial outcome for you, you would need a full benefits check. This will depend on your wider family circumstances, income, housing circumstances, and savings. If you would like a full benefits check, I am happy to complete one for you. Let me know as I would have to send a set of questions to gather the information required to complete it.

So essentially if you have applied for your state pension, I expect the DWP will automatically notify you of a change in your entitlement to Carer's Allowance by letter.

I hope this is helpful. IF you have any additional question, or you would like a full benefits check, do not hesitate to come back to us again.

You can email them back at advice@carersuk.org or call, if you prefer on 0808 808 7777

Best wishes

Jane