SDA for state pension age claimants

Hi all,

Just need to check simple query regarding SDA for pension credit guarantee.

Clients both state pension age claiming AA and DLA Middle Care respectively. Non-dep living in property, claiming UC and PIP Std DL (not claiming CA or carer element for either).

Checked SPC Regs 2002 Sch 1 for disregarded non-deps and confirms that those in receipt of qualifying benefit will be disregarded.

Am I reading it right that the state pension age couple would be entitled to receive SDA on PC? Seems almost too good to be true! Already have appointment to make claim for CA for them both to get underlying entitlement.

See section 5.1 of our Pension Credit factsheet which confirms your line of thinking.

“You can be treated as if you live alone even if you share your home with other people. The following people are
ignored when deciding if you are living alone:

* someone receiving AA, DLA middle or high rate care component or PIP daily living component

If you both receive AA, DLA or PIP and no one else counts as living with you, and neither of you has a carer receiving Carer’s Allowance, a double rate of £128.60 a week is included. “

Other thing is to check and make sure that their State Pension rate pays more than rate of CA.

Wonderful!

Thought this was the case, but was staying sceptical.

SPs are above CA amounts, so there’s going to be a big change in their entitlement.

Clients are going to get some very good news!

Thanks for the help!