Incapacity nightmare for someone 59

TheWaltons_3

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

But what's the point of saving if you're not prepared to spend it when the time comes that you need it?

Very true indeed. Not every country has the DSS to fall back on in times of strife.

I am not saying that I don't feel awful for this lady.. but what are savings, if not to help in bad times?

Hapless_2

Save money for a rainy day....when you have a big life change that is a rainy day.

TheWaltons_3

Hapless wrote: »

Save money for a rainy day....when you have a big life change that is a rainy day.

Yes and it would make sense to worry a little less about your circumstances when you have a few k in the bank. That is being in a more fortunate position than many.

itsnotfair_2

Luckily the relative was today promised 0ver £300 back IB, thank the Lord for that.
To those in this post who believe what they do, this lady has worked all her life from be 15, never claimed IB or dole. So did her deceased husband. he had a thriving business until he sucumbed to Lung cancer caused by asbestos, caused after being told to blow break drums out as a young lad. He too never claimed anything until his illness. The last 2 years contributions have not happened as she cared for him for a year and the last year she has lived on bereavement allowance and grieved he husband.
She is not on long term sick, up to today she had never had anything. Lets remember too that widows bereaved some time ago continue to get widows pension, but not those bereaved now.
And I consider it fine to keep savings (especially when you own your own home) as we all know we have to pay ourselves for repairs, how would she do that if she was made to spend them?
These were people who paid into the state all their lives, she is entitled now to take out.:mad:

rubuhoeikanaika

itsnotfair wrote: »

Luckily the relative was today promised 0ver £300 back IB, thank the Lord for that.
To those in this post who believe what they do, this lady has worked all her life from be 15, never claimed IB or dole. So did her deceased husband. he had a thriving business until he sucumbed to Lung cancer caused by asbestos, caused after being told to blow break drums out as a young lad. He too never claimed anything until his illness. The last 2 years contributions have not happened as she cared for him for a year and the last year she has lived on bereavement allowance and grieved he husband.
She is not on long term sick, up to today she had never had anything. Lets remember too that widows bereaved some time ago continue to get widows pension, but not those bereaved now.
And I consider it fine to keep savings (especially when you own your own home) as we all know we have to pay ourselves for repairs, how would she do that if she was made to spend them?
These were people who paid into the state all their lives, she is entitled now to take out.:mad:

No, she plainly is not entitled. She will be entitled when she reaches state pension age or falls below the £6k threshold.

Not to mention that if she has ever used the NHS, the roads, enjoyed police protection or any one of a thousand things, she has been 'taking out'.

rubuhoe

itsnotfair_2

I think you will find that the NHS is paid out of national insurance contributions paid by her for over 40 years. The roads, police etc you quote are paid out of Council tax payments, which she has also paid in full herself (not with council tax benefit) prior to her husbands death. Did'nt you know that?
Back to my original point I believe she is entitled having 'paid in' all these years.

krisskross

National insurance is like any other sort of insurance in that it relies on most of us never needing to claim. I am sure your relative will get what she is entitled to, nothing more, nothing less. And she would get financial support from the taxpayer if she needs it and meets the criteria i.e we are all expected to use savings before calling on the public purse, whether she had been 'paying in' for decades or indeed had never contributed. If 'paying in' was the only criteria for being allowed State help there would be a lot of deserving people left to starve.

seven-day-weekend

I agree it does seem unfair when she has worked hard all her life; however the Welfare State is for people who don't have enough money. She HAS got enough money if she has these savings. So unfortunately she won't be entitled to means-tested benefits and will be expected to keep herself until her savings reduce.

...Although you say she has now been awarded Incapacity Benefit, which is a contributory benefit and not means-tested, so she should be OK now until her State Pension clicks in.

If we were in the UK we would be in a similar position, we have a tiny income but would not be eligible for means-tested benefits as we have too much in the way of savings. My husband has paid in for all his life, and I have paid for over 20 years.

Doesn't seem fair, but means-tested benefits are supposed to be for the very poorest amongst us.

Bogof_Babe

"Entitlement" is assessed by the DSS, using formal guidelines and taking into account every claimant's personal circumstances.

As your relative was refused benefits, then her legal position is that she was not entitled , regardless of how you or she view the moral aspect.

My husband and I have paid into the system for nearly 75 years in total, but are not entitled to anything from the state because we lived frugally in order to build up security for our old age. We haven't had a holiday for 18 years and only go out about six times a year. But I'm not grumbling, I'd rather know we are paying our own way.

We are very lucky in this country to have a welfare support system for the most needy amongst us. There is no moral obligation to give handouts to those who are not in dire straights.

itsnotfair_2

Thankfully she was'nt refused. It turns out they have sent giro's to her old address (yes we told them her new address). Praise the Lord she does not have to spend her savings.