60 year old widow needs some advice to survive

oliveoil99

This is my situation hope someone can help.
My income weekly is bereavement allowance of £70 and private-pension of £22 that's £92 per week thats it.

Outgoings Rent Shortfall £41.00 weekly
Council Tax £ 5.00 "
Water Rates £13.00 "
TV Licence £ 3.00 "
Gas/Electric £20.00
I have £10.00p left for food and everything else. My cirstances changed 2yrs ago when my daughter left home she paid the rent and most the bills I just bought food. I applied for Housing Benefit which I receive £68 per week my rent is £109 a week which leaves the shortfall. I have been to help the aged and they said because my income is not means-tested benefits I cann't get any help. I have sold everything of value which was only a bit of jewellery and am now on my bear bones. With no sign of my pension for 2 more years I can feel the slipery-slope in front of me and what that means I don't know. Any advice would be welcome. Thank-you for reading this Thread.

princessdon

is there a reason you can't work?

If you applied for benefits you'd only get £71 pw JSA so at £92 you get more money than those on benefits.

Other than moving to a smaller house or getting a lodger there isn't much you can do.

BigAunty

Enter your information into the Turn2us online benefit calculator.

Look into whether you can receive Discretionary Housing Benefit to cover the shortfall but this will only be temporary if granted at all. Look at the Shelter website for info on how to avoid/deal with rent arrears and your options.

Are you too sick to work?

Are you happy to move to a cheaper property or is this not an option? Have you looked into applying for social housing - some councils and housing associations have properties for the over 55s, over 60s and so on?

Do you have any capital (savings/investments) above 6k (I know you mentioned you have nothing to sell but I want to specifically check about any capital you may have).

oliveoil99

princessdon wrote: »

is there a reason you can't work?

If you applied for benefits you'd only get £71 pw JSA so at £92 you get more money than those on benefits.

Other than moving to a smaller house or getting a lodger there isn't much you can do.

I did work until the doctors surgery I worked at relocated have not been able to find any since. Yes I know jobseekers is £71 but I was receiving that would get all my rent and council tax paid. I have a landlord that would let me move a mouse in never mind a lodger and would never put myself in that danger.

princessdon

those on benefits don't get ALL their rent paid (they get an allowance, if your allowance, 1 bedroom tate covers rent then yes, but if not then they still have pay it).

Also people on benefits are from April expected to pay towards their CT (probably at the same rate you do).

Given what you have said - your only option is to move into somewhere less expensive as you clearly can't go on the way you are now.

oliveoil99

BigAunty wrote: »

Enter your information into the Turn2us online benefit calculator.

Look into whether you can receive Discretionary Housing Benefit to cover the shortfall but this will only be temporary if granted at all. Look at the Shelter website for info on how to avoid/deal with rent arrears and your options.

Are you too sick to work?

Are you happy to move to a cheaper property or is this not an option? Have you looked into applying for social housing - some councils and housing associations have properties for the over 55s, over 60s and so on?

Do you have any capital (savings/investments) above 6k (I know you mentioned you have nothing to sell but I want to specifically check about any capital you may have).

I had the Discretionary Payment for 6 months then was told it was only a temp measure and would not receive it again. Yes I'm on all the housing list because I don't have a disablility just have to wait my turn been on them over 2ys, have tried the private-rented but turn there nose up when I say HB. No I have no savings well yes that's a lie £3.48 after the landlords check comes out this month.

BigAunty

Go to your local council website or the Direct Gov website to identify the 1 bedroom rate for Local Housing Allowance - this is the maximum payable to a single person in their own place and other income can be included which will reduce the LHA.

Come back to the forum and let us know how much this rate is and how much your rent is.

How far did that GP surgery relocate?!!

pmlindyloo

oliveoil99 wrote: »

I did work until the doctors surgery I worked at relocated have not been able to find any since. Yes I know jobseekers is £71 but I was receiving that would get all my rent and council tax paid. I have a landlord that would let me move a mouse in never mind a lodger and would never put myself in that danger.

First of all did you apply for the Bereavement Payment? A one off payment of £2000 tax free.

You can claim it up to 12 months after the death of your husband.

See here:

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/Bereaved/DG_10018703

As regards your belief that if you got JSA then all your rent and council tax would be paid, I'm afraid this isn't true.

Your private pension would be taken into account and your JSA reduced.

Yes, you would get HB but only the local housing allowance for a one bedroomed place not necessarily the full rent. This may also be reduced slightly by your private pension.

I'm sorry that there are no other benefits to help you.

Basically you have few options if you don't wish to take in a lodger/can't take in a lodger. You will need to move to a smaller and cheaper place or you will need to find a job until you are entitled to Pension credit/State Pension.

BigAunty

oliveoil99 wrote: »

...Yes I'm on all the housing list because I don't have a disablility just have to wait my turn ....

If you cannot afford your rent, then you are effectively going to be homeless because you will be vulnerable to arrears and you can't eat and heat- go and double check your rights on the Shelter website and with the council to see if you are in the right band.

Does the council control all the social housing stock or are there local housing associations that you can also apply to?

See the Age UK website and see if there are any local charities/advice centres that can help you with your poverty and housing issue.

oliveoil99

princessdon wrote: »

those on benefits don't get ALL their rent paid (they get an allowance, if your allowance, 1 bedroom tate covers rent then yes, but if not then they still have pay it).

Also people on benefits are from April expected to pay towards their CT (probably at the same rate you do).

Given what you have said - your only option is to move into somewhere less expensive as you clearly can't go on the way you are now.

It's not into your in a situation that you realise how dire it is out there I live in a town with over 200 applicants for every property and as I am not seen as vunerable or disabled other applicants just take over from me. I just thought someone might be able to give better advice than your better off than other people and get a job.

princessdon

I have utmost sympathy for your siutaiton - I think raising the retirement age for your generation stinks. You and your OH have both worked.

I don't like the advice I give - It's not personal - It's based on the govt.

Sadly they say that because you earn more than the "law" states to live on you are not entitled.

Realistically all you can do is try to change your housing situation.

Sorry - As I said - it;s not personal, but sadly that is the way it is.