Will my daughter's income affect my retired sister's Pension Credit?

[Niceguy3]

My elder sister (widow) long retired and on pension credit, rents a small place and manages because of pension credit. My daughter who is almost 18 wants to live with her and do a final year of 6th form in her area. My daughter will receive from me enough money that she can fend for herself, food etc etc, however she would like to get a part time job to supplement her income as she has started driving. My sister is very concerned that any income coming into her house will effect her pension credit. Obviously the money will belong to my daughter and not my sister. Has anyone any idea about this?

I don't think so. This link mentions partner's income only
https://www.gov.uk/pension-credit/eligibility

Will DD be paying your sister rent?

Yes I think it will it will. Your DD might be liable for Council tax your sister would lose her single person's discount. Her PC will be based on her living alone AFAIK and she would need to report her change of circumstances.

Surely Students are not liable to pay council tax

Another example of people arranging their lives around maxing out their benefits rather than being efficient with housing and supporting each other.
I don’t blame her of course. She should protect herself. Just not a good thing in general. Back in the day DD would have moved in and everyone would be a little better off.

You're right they don't.

Only when the house is 100% students.

Full time students are disregarded, so if there are two people living in the house and one is a student, and therefore disregarded, the other can claim the single discount.

https://www.gov.uk/council-tax/who-has-to-pay

Is your sister in receipt of a disability benefit?

DWP (recently retired after 30 yrs) . God it pissed me off when people come on to these threads to accuse someone of ‘maximising their benefits’ pretty sure that poster isn’t a widowed pensioner relying on state help to pay her rent ! If the system is not working to support pensioners on low income then God help us . Bet OPs sister would much prefer to be living in an owned house rent free with an occupational pension and state pension. As many are. However in your sisters case this is not how it is.

The rules. Slightly tweaked by each individual council but are as follows.

No person studying a course of at least 3 months duration in non advanced education (not university courses) for a minimum of 12 hours a week is liable for council tax.
Your sister will have to notify them that she is present and they will reassess when the details of the educational course are provided to her .

Any part time income is not counted against the Pensioners pension credit . The only time this could affect the pensioner is if the student stops the non-advanced education course .

Meanwhile, to stop the curtain twitchers and busy bodies, the very best course of action is for your sister to contact the council with the details of the 6th form college , the type of course and number of hours per week. Then contact pension credit and explain her niece has come to stay whilst doing A levels (or whatever course) and may get a part time job. That way you have been up front and stopped the possibility of being accused of being underhand or non transparent.

If your sister claims a disability benefit and receives a severe disability premium on her pension credit then she would lose that although maybe not if she's still a student ! best just to let pension credit know.
Your daughter living there may also affect housing benefit and council tax support although if daughter is a student she should be exempt from council tax.

Also my daughter will not be paying rent while she is there

Hi Didldidi, No she has no disability benefit

If DD is a student she won’t count for council tax, as students don’t pay it.

Another ex DWP here. Totally agree and recommend you follow this @Niceguy3 .
Of all the people to accuse of playing the system this is not one of them.

that's good as Pickledonion1999 states

That's correct but the Aunt will need to tell the council person has moved in apply for the student discount. She can't continue claiming a single occupancy discount as that would be fraud.

Does she really want your daughter to move in?