Pension Credit

[cockatiel]

My friend was off work for 3 months following surgery.She has a well paid job,but as all her earnings are spent on the cost of living and paying a mortgage,she has little money in savings.She didn't qualify for sickness benefit as she is over 65.She applied for pension credit to help her through the convalescent time and when she returned to work,notified the pensions office.
However,they continued to pay her a weekly amount of guaranteed pension credit even though she queried her entitlement several times.She has been led to believe that once you have claimed pension credit you can keep it for 5 years before it is reviewed in spite of a change of circumstances. Would this be correct? She is afraid that if she has been wrongly paid,then she would have to pay back most of what she has received (over £2,000 which she can't afford)

[factor-fiction]

Has she returned to work since?
If not she should still be entitled.
If she has returned to work now, I can't see why she would be allowed to keep claiming something that was to cover a temporary situation She needs to either put the key points in writing (maybe sent recorded delivery) and ask for something in writing saying whether she is entitled to the money or not.

[themas]

With some pension credit payments there is what is called an "assessed income period" - often 5 years during which most changes of circumstance do not have to be reported.

She should read carefully the documents sent to her when her claim was approved & see whether they include wording to that effect. However, even if they do, it would be wise for her to ring the Pension Service & make sure there is no problem.

[cockatiel]

Thank you for your replies.I have looked at AIP and you are right Themas.She can keep her benefit for 5 years.She would have retired by then hopefully.Just needs to pay off a few expenses first

[factor-fiction]

Okay, I'm glad it seems to be sorted, but I'm not sure that is what themas was saying and I don't understand it though unless she has not returned to work.