I have a couple, he is aged 58 and currently claiming ICB & IS, for himself and wife. His wife is 59 and due to turn 60 next month. Am I right in thinking that because he is the claimant for IS and under 60 that the claim for IS will continue and if they want to claim Pension Credit instead he will have to end the IS claim and make a claim for PC instead – or is this something that the DWP will pick up on and automatically send them a PC claim pack?? As he is under 60 and she is 60 or over do they actually have a choice about whether they stay on IS or swap to Pension Credit???
thanks

Yes they have a choice. She can claim Pension Credit or he can claim IS. He can't claim SPC because he isn't 60 yet. There is no entitlement to IS if you are "entitled" to SPC, but as there is no entitlement without claim, if they choose not to claim SPC they are not entield. But heaven knows why anyone would choose to stay on IS when SPC is so much more generous.

She won't automatically get an SPC claim pack but it's all done on the phone usually, and she will probably get a reminder when she gets her pension forecast. Don't forget that when she reaches 60 if she is entitled to and wishes to take her state pension then, she must claim it, and if she doesn't the amount will be treated as notional income for SPC purposes( and probably for IS too)

thanks Ariadne