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Tell Us Once potential problems
Next week I have to the hardest thing I've ever done in my life and register my wife's death. I'm aware of the Tell Us Once service which is intended to let you make just one declaration that covers all government departments. My problem is my wife's death certificate has three names - her first name, her maiden surname,…
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Restart scheme – questions about job search and signing agreements
I’m about to start the Restart scheme and I’m feeling quite anxious about it. I’ve recently completed my studies with strong results and I have a solid range of skills and practical experience. I’m currently pursuing a specific target role that matches my background, and I’m already actively working on applications and…
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Universal Credit messages
About a month ago, I received a message from UC asking if there was anything they could do to help with my situation; it stated that it was voluntary & that the intention was not to do a review. I didn’t reply. I received an almost identical message yesterday. I’d prefer for things to carry on as they are, however, I’m…
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Trying to close Disability Living Allowance claim
Child was diagnosed with (mild) hearing loss, DLA claim opened/approved a few years ago. Most recent test shows improved hearing, e.g. hearing aids no longer required. Called up to cancel/close DLA claim but was told it needs to go some special department for them to re-evaluate the claim. Got a letter to say it's been…
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Money taken from Pension Credit
Hi all, newbie here so hope I'm in the correct forum! I'll try to keep it short….. Since September 2025 over £55.00 has been taken every month from our joint claim for Pension Credit. This is repayment for an outstanding Working Tax Credit overpayment they say. However, this overpayment was repaid in full in August 2025…
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DWP RECOVERY FROM ESTATE DEBT MANAGEMENT FOR A PERSON WHO HAS DIED
I received a letter from DWP for the debt management of my deceased mum, who has been dead for nearly 3 years. It was for overpayment of pension credit over two years, 2021 - 2023. She was in a nursing home all this time. Do i have to pay it all back or can i fight the decision. Would really appreciate some help. I have…
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Child trust fund 'missing'
Hi, we're having difficulty finding out if your youngest daughter has a CTF. She was born in Scotland in October 2008, so AFAIK she should have one, her elder sister did. We've twice completed the online HMRC facility, nothing back from them at all (earliest application was 16th January) Is a total lack of response them…
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Funeral Costs (gov.uk get help with funeral cost)
I am posting to see if anybody can offer some advice, perhaps having already been through this process! My daughter died 3 Dec'25, it wasn't unexpected. She was 51 and had been in care for about 5 years. Her partner had run off, perhaps 10 or more years ago. She had no possessions or property. At the time of her death she…
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Financial help caring for elderly parent
Hi. I'm not sure if this is the correct thread, but there's isn't anything that directly works for me. I'm a UK citizen and a PT resident, having lived in Portugal for 5 years. I have a UK Limited Company and pay corporation tax in the UK. I had a bad end to 2025 financially with my business and was ready to rebuild in…
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Universal Credit and Pensions
I put quite large amount into my pension via salary sacrifice. It is over 70% and brings down to just over minimum wage salary. (My husband does a large chunk too but not quite as extreme) We have done this for 3 years as we are early 40s, had no pension and I have a number of health issues which means I can't see myself…
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Pension Tax Credit and income
Hi, I am new here, so apologies if this has been asked before. I am 73, receive maximum PTC (£227.10 per week) as I am single and last year in June I was made redundant. I have no savings or other pension and live with my son. It appears that I cannot earn any additional income to supplement the PTC, to bring it up to a…
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PIP is going to a tribunal over residency, can I travel in the mean time?
So its taking such a long time that I can now go on holiday again (im allowed 3 weeks per year) I was allowed 3 weeks in 2025 but I didnt take it because of fear, and mental health, in 2026 if Im ready for it Ill go somewhere safe, unless that will affect residency again? Will it affect PIP and residency or not? I was out…
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Overpaying into pension and universal credit
Hi, I currently pay into a workplace pension, with pretty decent employer contributions and a smaller % from myself. I am also in receipt of universal credit. I became a single parent around 5 years ago and prior to this, I was never in a financial situation where I could afford to pay into a workplace pension and opted…
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Housing association rent arrears
Please can i get some advice, I have been a tenant with the housing association Leeds federation for over 20 years. I live in a 2 bedroom property and i have rent arrears due to the bedroom tax, but i have been on disability benefits for about 18/19 years. I was never informed by the housing benefit or the housing…
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Speaking for someone at a PIP telephone assessment.
Can someone please clarify if someone is allowed to speak on someone elses behalf at a PIP telephone assessment. Just doing a Google search produces varied answers. The person is my son. I am not his appointee in terms of having to sign his claims forms although I do fill the forms in for him as his writing is illegible.…
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Universal credit - how will being executor of my mum's bank account affect my benefits?
I'm on universal credit (disability related). My late mum made me the executor of her bank account, so it's my job to have her savings transfered into my bank account and then share it out with my siblings. Will the DWP treat the entire amount as my income, or only the part of it that I keep for myself?
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safest way to save on benefits without affecting claims
in short i'm a saver my wife on full pip (full time) and joint uv claim myself on carers allowance full housing minus 1 bedroom tax and full council tax both over 50 we are past the splashing the cash and partying We struggle to spend what we get coming in financially but find we are approaching the 6k mark quite quickly…
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Benefits and receiving inheritance
Hi all, Sadly my father-in-law passed away and my wife and her brother are sorting the home and the finances etc… My brother in law is a stay at home dad with 5 kids and in recite of full benefits such as housing benefit, universal credit etc etc… Sadly the mother is nowhere to be seen… in the coming months he will receive…
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Live in Carer Council Tax Discount
Hi, after seeing Martins story on GMB, I contacted Runneymede Council as I do in excess of 35 hours care for my mother who I live with. My mother receives the Attendance Allowance lower rate. The council said they will send out the form to apply. I aksed how long will they be back dating it, the adviser said threee months.…
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Universal Credit help!
Hi there, I work and I have my 2 year old twins in nursery. I have been paying £226 a month for consumables and Universal credit have been helping me with some of these costs. I have now been told that I cannot claim anything for these costs as they don't help with consumables, this means I am no longer entitled to any…
