I am a Welfare Rights Advisor and have come across a benefits query I am unsure on. If a client is in rented accommodation paying service charges would this be included as part of their appropriate amount? I have always thought this to be the case. However say if they were only eligible for guarantee Pension Credit as a result of the service charges being included as part of their appropriate amount what would happen as the Local Authority would normally include these service charges as part of their appropriate amount too which would surely create a case of double payment?

The services charges should not be included in their PC amount if they would be payable under HB. Nornmally the Pension Service would check with the LA re these costs if they are unsure.

Alan