Info on Pensions & benefits please?

RAJT88

Hello, not sure if this is the right place for this but will give it a whirl.
My grandma has let me know she is having money issues (who isn't!) but she said she isn't entitled to any benefits, her rent has gone up and things are a bit tight. I said I would find out for her if there is anything else she can get as things change all the time.

She is currently living off her pension, but her flat is rented from a housing association, where she has lived for around 30 years.

She has very limited sight and lives on her own so she can't get to places like the citizens advice( I'm 30 odd miles away).

Are there any websites where I could see if she's right about not being entitled? Many thanks in advance!

sleepless_saver

Possible benefits would be pension credit, housing benefit, council tax support and, if she has difficulties looking after herself, attendance allowance. This last one is not affected by her income, the others are.

You could use this benefits calculator to check. Or if she will give you authorisation and her financial info, you could go to CAB on her behalf (check with CAB in advance what authorisation they will need).

Also she could phone the Pension Service 0800 99 1234 who will take her details over the phone and check if she is entitled to pension credit. They will process her claim if she is. She will need her NI number and details of all income and savings.

edited to add: some housing associations have staff who can help with benefit checks and claims, it's worth giving them a call to ask. Or AgeUK or CAB might be able to do a home visit.

mania112

Is it the state pension?

Assuming it is and she has no real assets, she should not be paying full rent or council tax.

Also, if she is in poor health she should be receiving care and financial support for this too (Attendance Allowance).

Living 30 miles away isn't much of an excuse - take a day off and go sort this out for her.

RAJT88

Thank you ever so much both of you for your help, I will take note of this and really work my way through all of this info. Mania112, I hear what you are saying, but this is the first time I've known she is experiencing problems. I also have three young children to provide for and money problems of my own, at least I am making some effort unlike the rest of the family who have just abandoned her. Many thanks once again! I shall pop back and let you know how we get on

xylophone

Read http://www.ageuk.org.uk/Documents/EN-GB/Factsheets/FS48_Pension_Credit_fcs.pdf?dtrk=true
carefully.

https://www.gov.uk/attendance-allowance/overview