When do benefits help kick in

McKneff

In what way do you need help ?

ampersand

McKneff wrote: »

In what way do you need help ?

- in learning how to manage inventively, with imagination and verve, I would think.

That's something mse is very strong on, op+OH, and you can live well, travel about and do things on very little, yet in some style, if you decide to.

Obtain Buspass and My Waitrose card for a start, if you don't have them already and they are relevant for your location. Learn how to play supermarkets - in my case, Waitrose and Mr T - off against each other. Consult mysupermarket.com before exception-to-norm shopping.

Presumably you grow a few bits and pieces[if only window-sill herbs] batch-cook, enjoy Charity Shops/jumble sales/local auctions, can make do and mend/DIY etc., make simple bread with flour/salt/yeast[free from Mr T]/water in a bowl - mixing and kneading is good for the soul and good for ageing hands apart from the gratification of the senses.
Hot water bottles and Thermoses should be dear friends, as should your Library and all the travel advice on mse.
Take out YHA Life Memberships, if you haven't already. This might involve re-visiting old prejudices and kicking them into touch.

Make a game out of the whole nonsense and don't calculate your time in Earth years, number being a human construct anyway.

Take something of Beryl Bainbridge's maxim/title of Life as 'An Awfully Big Adventure' on board and get on with it.

I do, with less than you, not said to undermine you or appear boastful - simple truth. It's do-able, so start with pmlindyloo's post, no.2 and see how lucky you are.

Enjoy your lives with active minds and bodies and great benefits, non-Gumment:D, will burgeon. Just remember to vote next year. You could be volunteers and mentors, too.

newbieoap

I am fully aware that I have sufficient income at the moment but was asking the forum for some pointers as to when I would need to consider making claims. I have worked all my life since age 16 (now 62) as has my husband (now 65). I have never claimed any benefits apart from maternity benefits in the 70's. Is it any wonder I have no knowledge of the benefit system.

(Text removed by MSE Forum Team)

newbieoap

McKneff wrote: »

You have nearly 2 thousand pounds a month coming in and expect benefits ??? or am I missing something here.

Please see my response to Man of Leisure. The forum question was one for information to be used at a later date. Savings will not last forever and it would be useful to know when an approach can be made for some form of assistance when the time arises.

Mojisola

newbieoap wrote: »

The forum question was one for information to be used at a later date. Savings will not last forever and it would be useful to know when an approach can be made for some form of assistance when the time arises.

This - https://www.ageuk.org.uk/Documents/EN-GB/Information-guides/AgeUKIG43_More_Money_In_Your_Pocket_inf.pdf?dtrk=true - gives an overview.

You will need to check occasionally as benefit rules changes.

If you have an income of around £2k a month, don't expect to ever get much in the way of benefits. Benefits are there to provide for people in need and that isn't your situation.

NYM

Mojisola wrote: »

This - https://www.ageuk.org.uk/Documents/EN-GB/Information-guides/AgeUKIG43_More_Money_In_Your_Pocket_inf.pdf?dtrk=true - gives an overview.

You will need to check occasionally as benefit rules changes.

If you have an income of around £2k a month, don't expect to ever get much in the way of benefits. Benefits are there to provide for people in need and that isn't your situation.

I thought your post at #11 put it very clearly.

tomtontom

newbieoap wrote: »

Please see my response to Man of Leisure. The forum question was one for information to be used at a later date. Savings will not last forever and it would be useful to know when an approach can be made for some form of assistance when the time arises.

But your pension income will last for the rest of your lifetime. If you have concerns that this will not be sufficient then you need to be more specific as to why.

cte1111

newbieoap wrote: »

The forum question was one for information to be used at a later date. Savings will not last forever and it would be useful to know when an approach can be made for some form of assistance when the time arises.

It's not the savings that are stopping you being entitled to benefits, it's the income, which will continue. So it is unlikely that you will become eligible for benefits, even when / if your savings run out.

If you need extra help in the future (after age 65) because you or your partner have a disability or health problems, then you would be able to make a claim for Attendance Allowance
https://www.gov.uk/attendance-allowance/overview

If not, then you really need to work out how to live on the income that you currently have coming in. There are lots of useful areas of this forum where people can help with advice about living within your means, try Old Style Moneysaving for some great ideas.

Pollycat

newbieoap wrote: »

Please see my response to Man of Leisure. The forum question was one for information to be used at a later date. Savings will not last forever and it would be useful to know when an approach can be made for some form of assistance when the time arises.

If I were in your shoes - newly retired aged 62 & 65 and with a monthly income of £1846 per month and savings of £19,000 - I wouldn't be worrying about what benefits I could claim in the future.

Oh no! I'd be off enjoying my retirement, thankful that I wasn't having to live hand-to-mouth.

Is my post judgemental?
Maybe it is, but as others have said, it's unlikely that you'll ever be entitled to means-tested benefits so forget about what you might be able to claim off the state and look forwards with positivity.

seven-day-weekend

newbieoap wrote: »

Please see my response to Man of Leisure. The forum question was one for information to be used at a later date. Savings will not last forever and it would be useful to know when an approach can be made for some form of assistance when the time arises.

You will not be eligible for any means-tested Benefits as your income is too high.

Your income is £422 per week, Pension Credit tops income up to £225 a week. So therefore you are way above the threshold. Council Tax and help with rent (if you rent), have even lower income thresholds.

So, regardless of your savings, your income is too high for any means-tested Benefits and I assume that income will not go down as it is all from Pensions.

However, you can claim your free bus pass and Winter Fuel Allowance if you are not already getting them.