Has anyone thought about changes to benefits for those 60 plus which do not have to be notified to HB, but which could increase HB?
We have come across an elderly woman who receives CTB and guarantee Pension Credit. The last HB form she submitted was in 03, but in 04 she was awarded AA. Also in 04 her daughter came to live with her. HB put on a non dep charge as they had not been informed of AA award. No AIF is sent from Pension Service as she receives guarantee credit and the check HB make simply shows guarantee PC in pay. We'll obviously sort this one out, but it lead us to thinking that there will be many others out there in the same position. Because there is no need to claim HB/CTB every year and no need in PC cases to inform HB of changes in income, how can we get across to people that they should inform HB of such changes?

Hi
I would say that it is not much different from people waiting for their annual HB renewal form to report their changes in circumstances. My authority tries to inform people of their duty to report changes in circumstances in their quarterly newsletters etc. In my experience most pensioners are only too keen to report their changes in circs to the LA even if they are income related only and shouls be reported to the Pension Service !