Pendle MP, Gordon Prentice has welcomed an important change to benefit rules for older people which takes effect this week. The amount of savings that will be
ignored in calculating Pension Credit, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit goes up by £4,000.

Speaking from Westminster the MP commented: “This year’s Budget announced plans to increase the capital threshold for these benefits for anyone aged 60 or over from £6,000 to £10,000. The higher threshold begins this week and will apply to both new and existing claims. Those already claiming Pension Credit, Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit don’t need to do anything as their benefit will be updated automatically. The change will increase the income of around half a million pensioner households by an average of £4 per week.”

The MP added: “This will help to offset the current historically low interest rates which have particularly impacted on pensioners, as they are more likely than people of working age to draw income from savings.”

““For those unsure whether they are eligible for any of these benefits, Lancashire’s Welfare Rights Helpline on 0845 053 0013 will check their entitlement.”