Pensioners (Hansard, 9 September 2004)

§ Mr. Willetts
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many pensioners in receipt of pension credit also receive(a) housing benefit, (b) council tax benefit and (c) other means-tested benefits. [186780]

§ Mr. Pond
The most recent housing benefit/council tax benefit data analysed by age and reference to other benefits is at May 2002, which predates the introduction of pension credit.
With the introduction of pension credit, around 2 million pensioner households will now qualify for more help, or qualify for help for the first time, with their council tax and/or rent.

§ Mr. Willetts
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the rate is at which a pensioner with average housing costs and council tax costs would have(a) housing benefit and (b) council tax benefit withdrawn if they were in receipt of pension credit and had a total gross weekly income of (i)£80, (ii)£100, (iii)£120, (iv)£140, (v)£160, (vi)£180, (vii)£200 and (viii)other incomes as are available. [187343]

§ Mr. Pond
The answer is in the table.

Rates of withdrawal of housing and council tax benefits for pension credit recipients with varying incomes

percentage

Gross weekly income Net weekly income Housing benefit withdrawal rate Council tax benefit withdrawal rate

£80.00 £80.00 0 0

£100.00 £98.14 0 0

£120.00 £113.94 39 12

£140.00 £128.55 39 12

£160.00 £141.95 39 12

£180.00 £155.35 65 20

£200.00 £168.75 65 20

£220.00 £182.15 65 n/a

£240.00 £195.55 n/a n/a

Notes:

1. An "average pensioner" has been interpreted as being single, aged 65 or over with no dependents, no severe disabilities and no additional income or costs (such as annuities, trust fund payments, mortgage interest payments, etc.).

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2. In order to make the above calculation, it has been assumed that rent and council tax levels for the average pensioner are £44 and £12 respectively. These are the average amounts used in the DWP Tax Benefit Model Tables.

3. Withdrawal rates do not include the impact of tax i.e. tax withdrawal is not included in total withdrawal rate figures.

4. N/a indicates there is no title to this benefit at, or above, this level of income.

Rates of withdrawal of housing and council tax benefits for pension credit recipients with varying incomes
		percentage
Gross weekly income	Net weekly income	Housing benefit withdrawal rate	Council tax benefit withdrawal rate
£80.00	£80.00	0	0
£100.00	£98.14	0	0
£120.00	£113.94	39	12
£140.00	£128.55	39	12
£160.00	£141.95	39	12
£180.00	£155.35	65	20
£200.00	£168.75	65	20
£220.00	£182.15	65	n/a
£240.00	£195.55	n/a	n/a
Notes:
1. An "average pensioner" has been interpreted as being single, aged 65 or over with no dependents, no severe disabilities and no additional income or costs (such as annuities, trust fund payments, mortgage interest payments, etc.).