benefits entitlement check

[informashun]

my wife and i have been offered the above by someone coming to our home to make us aware of our entitlements ie from the pension services.
i know someone who had such a check and was told it ammounts to a complete means test and, after a long interview was told she had no entitlements.
does anyone know what our savings need to be before we can or cannot benefit.
we are oaps and if we knew any figures it would be a big help in avoiding snoopers? thanks.

[jennyp]

They will ask to see bank books, and statements, to check that what you tell them is correct.

[bednobs]

its just the chance you take. If you dont want to be checked if you are entitled, then dont. But if you do want to be checked, you will have to tell them what you already have so they'll know what you can get!

[themas]

If you get together info on your joint income and savings, rent (if any) and council tax, then go to www.entitledto.co.uk you can use the calculator to give you some idea of whether you might have any entitlement. If you do, then it could be worthwhile claiming.

I can understand your reluctance to give information, but the people who deal with benefit claims are only doing their job in making sure claims follow the rules. Unfortunately, there are quite a few people around who are only too happy to try & defraud the rest of us by making false claims.

[Ethel]

Who is offering to do this? From what you are saying, you have not applied for any benefits, so who is it that wants to come and get all your very private and personal details?

I do not wish to alarm you, but please make very sure of who you are dealing with before you give them any information or allow them in to your home.

[informashun]

thanks all
well ethel as stated in my question its done by the government pension sevice . ive checked and its kosher.
however i know there is a bottom line as to where you cant claim but cant find this out.
i have contacted the entiteledto web site but as yet not had a reply, maybe crimbo back log.

[D143237G]

If these people are from the Pensions Service then they will carry ID.

I find it very sad that you describe someone who is trying to make sure you get everything you are entitled to as a snooper.

I don't suppose you would like it if you were left alone to find out what you were entitled to all by yourselves.

If you want to rightly receive everything which you are ntitled to by law then you have to provide the information they request.

[Yorky Lass]

I can confirm that these offers of visits are genuine. It is not just Pension credit, which is means tested, but ALL other non means tested benefits. eg Attendance Allowance, Carers Allowances, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit that they will look into. They will also advise you of any local companies/agencies offering assistance/help to your age group.
As for savings anything under �6000 is not taken into the assessment. If you are over 65 then for every �1000 over �6000 it is considered to be �2 per week income. This would be then be added to your joint retirement pensions and any occupational pensions you may have ( and any other money coming in) to establish your weekly income. You can actually have quite a bit of savings, a good few thousand, and still qualify for Pension Credit.
I can assure you they aren't snoopers they are just trying to get you more income or assistance.
You can always refuse to be visited but you would never know if you are missing out on extra money.

[informashun]

two replies.
dear d143237g you were quite right i should not have called them snoopers, by the way what does d143237g mean?
dear yorkie lass,
thanks for your answer that revealed everything.
based on your info we know exactly the way forward.nice one.