Pension Credit

[TheDayBeforeYouCame]

About 2 years ago my parents were assessed for and awarded pension credit. I helped them complete the forms and they were assessed as a couple.

All of the benefits, including the pension credit and housing benefit, were issued in my Dad's name and now my Mum is getting letters saying she is not entitled to free dental treatment.

My Mum's Lasting Power of Attorney forms were also returned on this basis as she had claimed the free registration.

Does anyone know how to get this sorted as my Mum has had a stroke and my Dad is deaf so neither of them are very good on the phone.

If you've got an LPA for your Mother can you not speak for her?

I know you mention the LPA in your penultimate paragraph but I'm not sure what you mean.

No because it was rejected due to the pension credit issue. LPA is therefore not yet registered.

Ahh LPA not registered due to issues with the fee rebate/exemption?

Is your Mum sufficiently aware/verbal to be able to consent to you speaking on her behalf to PC?

If not maybe worth speaking to Citizens Advice about other ways DWP (or NHS Business Services Authority if about access to healthcare) can deal with third parties.

do you know how the couple thing works though? Surely if they are assessed as a couple it should be in both their names?