pension credit and religious orders

Has anyone done any research into the meaning of “fully maintained” that prevents members of religious orders from being entitled to pension credit?

I don’t know if you’re already aware of it, but there is at least one Upper Tribunal decision on this issue:

SoS v Sister IS & Sister KM [2009] UKUT 200 (AAC) - aka CPC/1343/2007.

many thanks for your quick reply. I was not aware of it.

Slightly off topic, it stikes me that anyone (over or under Pension Credit age) who is working full-time for tax credits purposes (16+ or 30+ hours) – like one of the sisters was in SoS v Sister IS & Sister KM [2009] UKUT 200 (AAC) – should be eligible to claim working tax credit. The same goes for anyone who is living and working in a non-religious community where pay is low or nil and who is getting board and lodging. Income to be taken into account would presumably include something for income in kind by way of board and lodging, which, if less than £6420 a year, would give the person their maximum working tax credit.