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<p>The Government announced on 14 January that the mixed age couple policy change
legislated for in the Welfare Reform Act 2012 will come into force on 15 May, following
the roll out of Universal Credit.</p><p> </p><p>Information was placed on GOV.UK regarding
the change and how people could be affected for the purposes of claiming Pension Credit
and Housing Benefit for pensioners. This sets out that mixed age couples already claiming
Pension Credit or Housing Benefit for pensioners at the point of change will not be
affected for as long as they remain entitled to either benefit. It also makes clear
that mixed age couples who would be eligible for either benefit on 14 May but who
have not yet claimed will have until 13 August to make a backdated claim from that
date.</p><p> </p><p>Following the announcement, we are implementing comprehensive
plans to raise awareness of the change among people who may be affected. We have 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. The Department has also
engaged with a number of relevant organisations, including Age UK, Citizen’s Advice
and Local Authority representatives. A factsheet about the change has been provided,
to help ensure that accurate information is available in the places where people are
most likely to seek information.</p><p> </p><p>DWP staff in Pension Centres and Jobcentres
will be able to provide information and advice, as will staff in Local Authorities
who administer Housing Benefit.</p>
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