Hi folks,
A question on the means test please - specifically capital - for the non-contributory state pension. I have an elderly family member (80s) who receives this pension, which goes directly towards his nursing home fees under the Fair Deal Scheme. He was means tested of course at the time he qualified for this pension (20+ years ago), but I'm a bit unclear as to what counts as 'change of circumstances' re. capital means.
His only capital is a savings account and because the Fair Deal Scheme eats up all the non con. pension payments, none of it goes into this account. However, he also gets a UK pension - which I know is classed as income - and this is paid into the account. The DSP are fully aware and requested an update on that monthly amount recently, so that's all fine and current. His capital would have been almost non existent when first assessed for his Irish state pension years ago, but the UK pension income has obviously built up his bank account balance a bit over the years.
So my question is whether the account balance has to be declared as a 'change of circumstances' to his capital means at some point? Perhaps when it's gone over a certain amount e.g. over the 20k savings allowance when first being means tested?
According to gov.ie
"If you save a portion of your State Pension Non-Contributory each week, these savings will be taken into account as part of your means. Depending on the amount of savings you accumulate, this may result in a reduction in (or revocation of) your pension. You are legally obliged to notify the department within three months of any increase in your means."
It doesn't mention saving a portion of any other pension(?).
Many thanks!
A question on the means test please - specifically capital - for the non-contributory state pension. I have an elderly family member (80s) who receives this pension, which goes directly towards his nursing home fees under the Fair Deal Scheme. He was means tested of course at the time he qualified for this pension (20+ years ago), but I'm a bit unclear as to what counts as 'change of circumstances' re. capital means.
His only capital is a savings account and because the Fair Deal Scheme eats up all the non con. pension payments, none of it goes into this account. However, he also gets a UK pension - which I know is classed as income - and this is paid into the account. The DSP are fully aware and requested an update on that monthly amount recently, so that's all fine and current. His capital would have been almost non existent when first assessed for his Irish state pension years ago, but the UK pension income has obviously built up his bank account balance a bit over the years.
So my question is whether the account balance has to be declared as a 'change of circumstances' to his capital means at some point? Perhaps when it's gone over a certain amount e.g. over the 20k savings allowance when first being means tested?
According to gov.ie
"If you save a portion of your State Pension Non-Contributory each week, these savings will be taken into account as part of your means. Depending on the amount of savings you accumulate, this may result in a reduction in (or revocation of) your pension. You are legally obliged to notify the department within three months of any increase in your means."
It doesn't mention saving a portion of any other pension(?).
Many thanks!