Pension Payments Notice Of Interview, Worried Friend....

[trt]

A long time friend, 71yrs phoned me up this morning very upset, as she has had a letter from the 'Department of Works and Pensions.

It says she has to attend a Local Service Compliance Interview at the end of the month, at the local job centre, which is going to be awkward as she cant walk far.

She claims Pension, has the lower Attendance Allowance, and just below the level of £16,000 with her bank account and ISA combined.

Will she have to show her bank statement, as she is worried that they might try to stop her Attendance Allowance, which helps with her alarm she wears, and pays £40.00 a month for, and people to do shopping for her etc.

I will be going over to see her later to look at the letter, and wondering if there is any comforting news I could give her, from any answers.

Thanks.

[BlackadderV]

You really need to see the letter first.

[lcg]

yes - they do have the right to investigate her bank account....and i suggest she spend a little of her savings beforehand to ensure she remains under the £16k limit. and she can get a taxi to get to the interview - they will not change the venue to suit her needs, unfortunately. the dwp will go through things with a fine tooth comb and sanction people like your friend who have diligently saved as those who blatantly rip off.

[trt]

## yes - they do have the right to investigate her bank account....and i suggest she spend a little of her savings beforehand to ensure she remains under the £16k limit. ##

Thanks B/A & Icg, but if she spends a little of her savings now, it would show on her statement in 2 weeks?

[THECORBYLOON]

State pension and Attendance Allowance are not means tested. If she is on Pension Credit, she may be receiving Savings Credit which over 65s can get in addition to Pension Credit and they are means tested. There is little point in spending some of the savings for the sake of it [£10,000 is the figure above which deductions are made] since deprivation of capital would be considered. If she has problems getting there, she should let them know to see if a home visit or a 'phone interview can be made.

[Cloverjo]

I don't think savings affect eligibility for Attendance Allowance. My mum got it and she had savings larger than £16,000.
Tell your friend to relax, tell the truth and she'll be ok. I think she might also be able to claim for travel expenses from them.

[factor-fiction]

In my experience they will probably do a home visit if it is insisted on. I agree that it's her level of savings as it affects pension credit that they will be looking at. I also agree that if she is over the £16000 spending a thousand or two now will not really help unless it is for something like essential repairs

[ubasses]

Although the attendance allowance is not means tested you can still be called in for an interview/assessment to ensure you are eligible. In this instance it would be a good idea to request a home visit it will help emphasise her need for the allowance.

[trt]

I saw my friend and this is some of the letter that concerns her and making her worried.

It is essential that you attend the interview, and bring the documents requested to the interview.

This interview has been arranged because some of your circumstances may have changed, and we need to ensure your payments are correct.

When you claimed benefit you agreed to tell us immediately if the circumstances relating to your benefit entitlement changed.

If there has been an unreported change in your circumstances then any overpayment will have to be paid back. Further, you may be liable to financial penalty's.

Thats the basics of the letter, and they want to see any bank statements, savings, post office accounts, premium bonds, any ISA's, and even her evidence of Immigration Status and right to remain, etc etc.

She said to me, she is upset because the letter, sounds like they think she is a benefit cheat, which to some people that age can be understandable.
Her status hasn't changed.

Well if there is any more advice I can give her, it would be appreciated.

[trt]

Sorry forgot to say thanks to the previous answers/help.

[ladyalex]

If she only has State Pension and Attendance Allowance then it can only be the Attendance Allowance that they are querying.....but this is not means tested, so she would not need to provide proof of any savings etc.
Is she also claiming Pension Credit ?
If so, I would guess that it is this that they are querying.
She just has to go along with everything and tell the truth.
She can take someone with her or ask for a home visit, as these things can be verys tressful for someone to face alone.

[wolf63]

If she is in receipt of a means tested benefit the main things that may change will be - more income than she declared, more savings than she told them about, new man living with her - probably other reasons that I have forgotten about.

The interviewer will not be an ogre and they will not be trying to trick your friend. If she genuinely can't get to the office then she should request that they visit her at home.

[trt]

## If she only has State Pension and Attendance Allowance then it can only be the Attendance Allowance that they are querying..##

Her State Pension is split with her Pension Credit, and her attendance allowance was cut about 14 months ago from the high one to the lower.

[trt]

She has just phoned me to ask if it makes any difference that her rent and Council tax are paid, and would they stop any monies for that?

[Cloverjo]

I really can't see that rent and council tax would stop being paid for. If she has no change in circumstances she needn't worry. They are probably just under pressure to check that all is in order.

[ubasses]

As long as income is below £6k per annum (they ignore attendance allowance) she will qualify for housing and council tax benefit. If over they may reduce but not cancel it unless hugely over. As she has been reduced from higher rate to lower rate attendance allowance previously they probably just want to make sure she still qualifies or the lower rate.

[trt]

Thanks clover & ubasses,

## As long as income is below £6k per annum (they ignore attendance allowance) ##

Do you mean her state pension & pension credit is not over £6k per annum?

[ubasses]

pension, pension credit, income from savings.

[trt]

Thanks ubasses,

Have phoned her and she feels a bit less stressed now.

[THECORBYLOON]

The savings limit is £16,000 for Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction unless the claimant is in receipt of the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit, in which case that limit does not apply. I appreciate that you are getting a lot of mixed messages and figures so I suggest you look on the website for your friend's local council for confirmation.

[trt]

Thanks Corby.