Means test for qualified adult contributory pension

[Ryan]

My quite elderly grandmother has received a letter informing her that her entitlement to an allowance as a qualified adult in the contributory pension is after 22 years to be means tested. Their circumstances mean they will not satisfy the means test and lose €178 per week off their pension which isn’t sustainable.

What happens if they offload assets to ensure they satisfy the means test?

 

[Protocol]

I presume this is the same case:

Means Test for dependant on Contributory pension

My quite elderly grandparents have received a letter advising that the adult dependant portion of their state contributory pension is to be subjected to a means test.

www.boards.ie

Given that they have 200k in savings, surely the situation is sustainable?

Their income will drop, okay, but they have a substantial amount of savings to fall back on.

 

[Marsupial]

What happens if they offload assets to ensure they satisfy the means test?

It won't change things. SW will look for all bank statements for at least the last six months and will query any recent large withdrawals or transfers. If they form the opinion that certain transfers were made only in order to reduce the couple's assets then they will include them in the means assessment.

 

[thedaddyman]

Worth talking to Citizens Advice. There isn't enough information here to understand if there would be any entitlement to other SW payments. Also are the assets held in joint name or just in the grandmothers name. Her home, assuming it is in her name, would be exempt.

Not clear if the 5 year rule which applies for Fair Deal and asset disposal would also apply for a SW means tested benefit

 

[Marsupial]

Her home, assuming it is in her name, would be exempt.

Not clear if the 5 year rule which applies for Fair Deal and asset disposal would also apply for a SW means tested benefit

Her present home is exempt, but any profit made on the sale of her former home isn't.

Social Welfare means tests differ significantly from the HSE's Fair Deal means test. Different organisation, different purpose.