Written question asked by Steve Webb (Liberal Democrat) on Friday, 24 April 2009, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 29 April 2009. It was answered by Baroness Winterton of Doncaster (Labour) on Thursday, 7 May 2009 on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions.

Pension Credit

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to the Financial Statement of 22 April 2009, Official Report, column 249, on what date the capital limit for pension credit will increase; for which other (a) groups and (b) benefits the capital limits will be changed; and on what date these other changes will take effect.

Answer: [holding answer 29 April 2009]: The capital thresholds for pension credit, housing benefit and council tax benefit for those who have attained the qualifying age for pension credit will be increased from £6,000 to £10,000 bringing these into line with the threshold for those living permanently in care homes. This change will take effect from paydays in the week commencing 2 November 2009.The Government recognise the importance of supporting pensioners appropriately through the economic downturn. Increasing the capital threshold from £6,000 to £10,000 represents a generous increase in the thresholds and means that the proportion of pension credit recipients who will see their capital fully disregarded rises to 88 per cent. Half a million pensioners stand to gain from this change, with an average weekly gain of £4.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 492 c377W; 271860
Session: 2008-09
Related items: Financial Statement
Wednesday, 22 April 2009
Parliamentary proceedings
House of Commons
Transferred: Yes
Subjects: Pension credit
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk