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<p>The change to the Pension Credit rules was legislated for in the Welfare Reform
Act 2012. The Government announced on 14 January that the mixed age couple policy
change will come into force on 15 May. Following that announcement, we have implemented
comprehensive plans to raise awareness of the change among people who may be affected.</p><p>
</p><p>The Department has written directly to mixed age couples who are already in
receipt of Pension Credit or Housing Benefit for pensioners to ensure they know about
the change and how they could be affected if their circumstances change on or after
15 May. Importantly, the letters explained that the change will not apply to mixed
age couples already claiming Pension Credit and/or Housing Benefit for pensioners
at the point of change for as long as they remain entitled to either benefit.</p><p>
</p><p>This was in addition to providing information on GOV.UK and through existing
departmental channels. The Department’s staff in Pension Centres and Jobcentres including
visiting officers are able to provide information about the change, as are staff in
Local Authorities who administer Housing Benefit. The Department has also worked with
relevant organisations such as Age UK and Citizens Advice, including providing them
with a fact sheet to ensure that accurate information is available in the places where
people are most likely to seek it.</p><p> </p><p>Anyone who would be eligible for
the pension age benefits under the previous rules but have not claimed before 15 May
will have up to 13 August to make a backdated claim to 14 May and we encourage them
to do so.</p>
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