Future East Health & Wellbeing & Living at Home Benefits Entitlement for Older People 2nd October 2017 Dave Winterton DWP Partnership Manager Cambridgeshire

Welcome Objectives of the day To deliver an overview of the following: State Pension (including deferral option) Pension Credit Personal Independence Payment Attendance Allowance

State Pension - Overview The new State Pension was: Introduced on 6 April 2016 Applies only to those people reaching SP age on or after that date Replaces the basic SP and additional SP Brings an end to contracting out Means an end to Pension Credit Savings Credit for those retiring on or after 6 April 2016

State Pension - Overview You can claim the new State Pension if you’re: a man born on or after 6 April 1951 a woman born on or after 6 April 1953 The earliest you can get the new State Pension is when you reach State Pension age State Pension age.

State Pension Deferral - Overview Once you are 4 months away from State Pension age, you can either claim your State Pension or defer (delay) claiming it. Deferring your State Pension could increase the amount you get when you decide to claim it Do nothing if you wish to defer. Your pension will be automatically deferred until you claim it The amount of extra State Pension you get depends on when you reach State Pension age State Pension age.

State Pension Deferral - Overview If you reached State Pension age after 6 April 2016 Your State Pension increases by 1% for every 9 weeks you defer. This amounts to just under 5.8% for every full year If you are already getting your State Pension You can choose to stop getting it for a while and build up extra pension amounting up to 10.4% for every full year or take a one-off taxable lump sum The date you choose cannot be in the past or more than 4 weeks in the future You can only defer once For further information see www.gov.uk/deferring-state-pension

Pension Credit (PC) - Overview Pension Credit is a means tested benefit for older people that tops up your existing income to a guaranteed level prescribed by Parliament. This is currently £159.35 for a single person and £243.25 for a couple. Paid to men who have reached the qualifying age and women who have reached State Pension age. You can use the State Pension Age calculator on www.gov.uk to find out from what age you qualify for PC You must be resident in the UK. Those from overseas who have recently arrived in the UK have to meet certain residency conditions to qualify

Pension Credit (PC) - Overview There are two types of PC. You may be able to get either or both depending on your circumstances The two types of PC are: Guarantee Credit which tops up your existing income to a fixed weekly amount called the “appropriate minimum guarantee” Savings Credit which provides an additional sum in certain circumstances depending on the level of your income and savings To claim PC you (or your representative) need to telephone the Pension Credit claims line on 0800 991 234. The line is open Monday to Friday from 8:00am to 6:00pm www.gov.uk

Pension Credit (PC) What are the qualifying conditions? Your income must be below the prescribed appropriate minimum guarantee Savings of less than £10,000 are ignored Savings above £10,000 are treated as if they add £1.00 a week to your income for every extra £500 (or part of £500) of savings You can also get help with housing costs such as mortgage interest, rent and some service charges under certain circumstances You may contact the Pension Credit claims line who will be able to give you guidance on whether you may qualify for PC prior to making a claim

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) - Overview Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is a disability benefit which has replaced Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for new claims from adults aged 16-64 DLA remains for children up to age 16; and DLA recipients aged 65 or over on 8 April 2013 PIP helps towards some of extra costs arising from health condition or disability PIP based on how person’s condition affects them, not condition itself The same as DLA, claimants can get PIP whether in or out of work Not means tested or taxed

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) – Overview PIP is made up of two components – daily living and mobility Each can be paid at standard rate, or enhanced rate for those with the greatest needs The PIP assessment criteria consider the individuals’ ability to carry out a range of everyday activities Individuals receive a point score for each activity, depending on how well they can carry them out and the help they need to do them The total scores for each component determine whether a component is payable, and if so, whether at the standard or enhanced rate Enhanced Standard Daily Living Mobility 8 points 12 points Not Entitled

Assessment Criteria Daily living component (activities 1-10) Mobility component (activities 11-12) Standard rate = 8 points Enhanced rate = 12 points Activity Possible points 1. Preparing food 0-8 11. Planning and following journeys 0-12 2. Taking nutrition 0-10 12. Moving around 3. Managing therapy or monitoring a health condition 4. Washing and bathing 5. Managing toilet needs or incontinence 6. Dressing and undressing 7. Communicating verbally 8. Reading and understanding signs, symbols and words 9. Engaging with other people face-to-face 10. Making budgeting decisions 0-6

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) – Overview The PIP assessment involves health professionals who consider the evidence provided by the claimant, along with any further evidence they think is needed The health professionals are employed by independent providers People are assessed as individuals, and the focus is on the impact their condition has on their daily lives and over a range of different activities

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) – Overview Most people are asked to a face-to-face consultation with a health professional as part of the assessment process - claimants are encouraged to take somebody with them to the consultation Home visits are available when necessary Face-to-face consultations may not be necessary for everyone – for example, those who are terminally ill may not have to have them The assessment provider sends a report back to the DWP Decision Maker to make a decision

PIP new claim process New claims line: 0800 917 2222 - callers claiming under special rules for terminally ill people will be routed to a dedicated team to complete the claim (textphone: 0800 917 7777) PIP enquiries: 0845 850 3322 (textphone: 0845 601 6677). Claimants sent ‘How your disability affects you’ form – return with supporting evidence already held

Motability, Blue Badge, Concessionary travel and Vehicle Excise Duty If a claimant gets the enhanced rate of the mobility part of Personal Independence Payment, they may be able to use all or part of their allowance to lease a car, scooter or powered wheelchair from the Motability scheme If a claimant gets the mobility part of Personal Independence Payment they might be able to claim for a Blue Badge They may also be able to claim a pass to travel for free on public transport If the claimant gets the enhanced rate of the mobility part of Personal Independence Payment they won’t have to pay car tax If the claimant gets the standard rate of the mobility part of Personal Independence Payment they will only have to pay half the price of a car tax disc

Where to find more information Information for support organisations and advisers is online at www.gov.uk/pip/toolkit. The site includes a quick guide to PIP for advisers, an overview of the claimant journey and frequently asked questions We also include the latest news in the monthly Touchbase bulletin – sign up at the DWP website Information aimed at claimants is available on www.gov.uk. Please signpost to these pages from your own sites or materials Updated leaflets are also available – generic information in existing leaflets, and PIP specific leaflet

Attendance Allowance - Overview Attendance Allowance helps people who are severely disabled by a physical, mental or sensory condition It is not taxable, not means tested and is non-contributory You must be over 65 years of age at the date of claim Normally have needed help for at least six months Have a right to remain in Great Britain and claim benefit Be resident at the date of claim and have been present in GB for 104 weeks out of the last 156

Attendance Allowance - Overview It is not a medical condition that gives rise to an award of Attendance Allowance but the help needed arising from that disability It is the help needed rather than the help actually received that is considered for Attendance Allowance There are two rates of Attendance Allowance: A higher rate if a person satisfies both the day and night conditions A lower rate if a person satisfies either the day condition or the night condition

Attendance Allowance - Overview The day condition is satisfied if a person is so severely disabled they need frequent attention throughout the day with bodily functions and need continual supervision throughout the day in order to avoid substantial danger to themselves or others. “Frequent” means several times and must be needed throughout the day The night condition is satisfied if a person is so severely disabled they need either: Prolonged or repeated attention in connection with bodily functions or someone to be awake at frequent intervals to watch over them to avoid substantial danger to themselves or others

Attendance Allowance – Special Rules Applies to customers who are terminally ill whose life expectancy is likely to be six months or less The customer must live in GB but does not have to have been in GB for 26 out of the last 52 weeks The customer does not have to satisfy the six month qualifying period Special Rules cases are fast tracked and are dealt with by specialist Decision Makers to ensure claims are processed as quickly as possible

Questions?