had to resign at 64 , what now?

[Deleted User]

benniebert wrote: »

Nowadays being a bankrupt seems to be a 'badge of honour'

Not quite, still least as an ex broke I am no burden on the system eh... for I claim zero benefits, oh and a get up quick mindset with stronger morals

Pipe down, if this is my last post on here, don't tell me your one of them also that is so ignorant probably thinking we also can't read & write... (for I've met this sort of stigma to)

The first employer that withdrew a job offer which could have been an upwards time was a major insurance firm with the last being the Provident alone *that I know of*, the last apologised that I had gone all the way through the application - so hardly a badge of honour if you please, the only time it helped was when the jobcentre went for a sanction and ultimately where a job offer is withdrawn so your sanction is won where it is proven to have a detrimental effect, like loss of employment

But the facts are I've never spent longer a moment longer then 4 months on JSA, never had PPI pay out or other form of redress since, risk'd my Dad's job and whatever else, whilst I've accepted each rise in rent, rarely trouble the family and just about kept a roof over the head by the actions I took that I can still feel the effect of 3 years on, and yes I'd hope to retire comfortable when the time comes

NYM

According to Gov.UK site

SMI is normally paid direct to your lender after a waiting period, which is 13 weeks after you’ve claimed benefit.

If you’re getting Pension Credit, there’s no waiting period.

Murphybear

I think someone on this thread has a bit of an axe to grind.

The "quirk" in the system is not so much a quirk as the Government treating people equally.

Pension Credit is a benefit that is paid to people of retirement age BUT (and it's a big BUT) women have always retired at a younger age than men. So there was a system in place where women would be able to claim PC at 60 but men not until 65. So, when the Government decided to equalise the retirement age (absolutely nothing wrong with that!) they also decided to equalise the age where PC could be claimed. Thus men between 60 and 65 although still of working age could claim PC instead of JSA/ESA. The current age for PC is now ~ 62.5 by the way.

Frankly, I don't see what the problem is. It costs the DWP more to administer JSA/ESA than PC and as others have said most people of this age have paid into the system for many years. I was on ESA from age 59 until retirement 62.5 and believe me they told me they didn't expect me to find a job at my age with my health issues but I still had to go through the work programme at a high cost to those involved. They couldn't find me a course to do that I hadn't already done or taught in my working life, (do you need a Maths or English improvement they said, no said I, A level for both plus some at degree level. How about IT they said. No I said, I taught evening classes for years). So they put me in a group for a day studying Tarot.

Make of that what you will

benniebert

Murphybear wrote: »

I think someone on this thread has a bit of an axe to grind.

The "quirk" in the system is not so much a quirk as the Government treating people equally.

Pension Credit is a benefit that is paid to people of retirement age BUT (and it's a big BUT) women have always retired at a younger age than men. So there was a system in place where women would be able to claim PC at 60 but men not until 65. So, when the Government decided to equalise the retirement age (absolutely nothing wrong with that!) they also decided to equalise the age where PC could be claimed. Thus men between 60 and 65 although still of working age could claim PC instead of JSA/ESA. The current age for PC is now ~ 62.5 by the way.

Frankly, I don't see what the problem is. It costs the DWP more to administer JSA/ESA than PC and as others have said most people of this age have paid into the system for many years. I was on ESA from age 59 until retirement 62.5 and believe me they told me they didn't expect me to find a job at my age with my health issues but I still had to go through the work programme at a high cost to those involved. They couldn't find me a course to do that I hadn't already done or taught in my working life, (do you need a Maths or English improvement they said, no said I, A level for both plus some at degree level. How about IT they said. No I said, I taught evening classes for years). So they put me in a group for a day studying Tarot.

Make of that what you will

Doing that was a complete blunder by the government. Look what happened with car insurance when they equalised the sexes. Women traditionally paid a lower premium over men. They didn't reduce the premiums for men to the female rates, they put the female rates up to what men were paying.


The same went for the State Pension. However where they made this blunder was to allow men to claim PC at an age when women could. What should have happened is that women should have been stopped from claiming PC until they reached the age that a man could - age 65.


It doesn't really matter now as the UC regulations state that no one under 65 will be allowed to claim PC. This now closes that blunder down.


What annoys me is that I see men who are now in their early 60's claiming PC simply because they don't want to go through all of the hoops that ESA/JSA throws at them. As I have said I claimed ESA and had two Tribunals between age 60 and 65. Plus I claimed PC as a top up. I saw that as the right thing to do, I couldn't justify languishing on my sofa every day watching the PC payments being added to my bank balance every two weeks and not doing something to 'earn' them.

pmlindyloo

benniebert wrote: »

Maybe people see that those claiming Pension Credit instead of JSA/ESA are taking the easy option and not taking there responsibilities seriously enough?


Being able to claim Pension Credit before the man reached State Retirement age, was a quirk in the system and was never the case for it to be used in that way.


Very shortly this quirk is to be removed thank goodness. Nobody under SR age will be allowed to claim Pension Credit - they will have to claim JSA/ESA under UC. Also even if one party of the relationship is over SR age and the other is not, then they will both have to claim ESA/JSA under UC until they are BOTH over SR age. It's been a long standing abuse of the system.

You are misinformed.

Under UC you will still be able to claim Pension Credit when you reach the age you are eligible for Pension Credit (not the same as state pension age)

The only new part is that if you have a partner who is under the age for Pension credit then you cannot claim it as you can now.

http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/england/benefits_e/benefits_welfare_benefits_reform_e/benefits_uc_universal_credit_new/benefits_uc_what_is_universal_credit/uc1_uc_what_is_it.htm

Plus, those currently on joint claims are protected from the new legislation unless there is a change of circumstances.

poppasmurf_bewdley

pmlindyloo wrote: »

You are misinformed.

Under UC you will still be able to claim Pension Credit when you reach the age you are eligible for Pension Credit (not the same as state pension age)

The only new part is that if you have a partner who is under the age for Pension credit then you cannot claim it as you can now.

http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/england/benefits_e/benefits_welfare_benefits_reform_e/benefits_uc_universal_credit_new/benefits_uc_what_is_universal_credit/uc1_uc_what_is_it.htm

Plus, those currently on joint claims are protected from the new legislation unless there is a change of circumstances.

BennieBert doesn't have many posts to his name, but he has been spreading a lot of information that is dodgy to say the least. I have pointed out this in the past few days, as have several other Posters.

benniebert

pmlindyloo wrote: »

You are misinformed.

Under UC you will still be able to claim Pension Credit when you reach the age you are eligible for Pension Credit (not the same as state pension age)
.

But as you know and I have already pointed out the eligible age is going up to 65 in stages. It should have been increased from 60 to 65 from day one.

head_above_water

Londonsu wrote: »

As I read it the OP was worried that step change may suggest it not that they are going to go down that route which is why I have suggested Age UK who are better able to help as they are specifically there for people over 55 and not just a generic Debt Charity like step change

Hi Thanks for the advice, i don't want to go bankrupt as I want to pay my debts off, i was just asking if I would be forced too as I will only have a low income.

The other advice about not selling the house due to deprivation of assets is a concern, as my wife is only 50,and will find work soon but not enough to pay the mortgage but if the bank have to reposes it then we will lose everything as I have been told they will sell it quickly for whatever they can get and I will lose any equity. I have £30,000 left and next door which is identical sold for £100,00 last summer so I could have money to pay off my debts ,start again , but have to rent. But if it is not allowed as asset deprivation then I don't know what I can do ???

pmlindyloo

head_above_water wrote: »

Hi Thanks for the advice, i don't want to go bankrupt as I want to pay my debts off, i was just asking if I would be forced too as I will only have a low income.

The other advice about not selling the house due to deprivation of assets is a concern, as my wife is only 50,and will find work soon but not enough to pay the mortgage but if the bank have to reposes it then we will lose everything as I have been told they will sell it quickly for whatever they can get and I will lose any equity. I have £30,000 left and next door which is identical sold for £100,00 last summer so I could have money to pay off my debts ,start again , but have to rent. But if it is not allowed as asset deprivation then I don't know what I can do ???

Unfortunately your thread has got somewhat hijacked and has wandered off your original questions.

Since your wife is in work you are not going to be eligible for Pension Credit at the moment as it is a means tested benefit.

So that leaves you with contribution based JSA and contribution based ESA. Both of these are based on your NI contributions and your wife's income will not make any difference. Contribution based JSA lasts for 6 months and contribution based ESA can last for a year.

If your doctor will give you a fit note then you can apply for contribution based ESA.

If you feel you are fit to work then you can apply for contribution based JSA but because you left work voluntarily then a letter from your doctor explaining that work was making you ill will probably be needed.

Make an appointment with your doctor and see what he thinks about your working.

Since your wife is able to continue working and you have money for the next 3 months mortgage try to stop worrying about your house and what will happen in the long term.

If you feel better then you can look for a job.

It would not be seen as deprivation of capital if you sold your home at this time in your life. This might be an option if you want to get rid of your debts. However, please get some advice about what options you have. CAB might be a good place to go.

Let Step Change know that you are no longer working. They will advise too.

Tackle one thing at a time, so first of all get an appointment with your doctor and then apply for contribution based ESA or JSA.

I know it is difficult not to worry when the future is uncertain but there is always a solution to almost everything.

Londonsu

head_above_water wrote: »

Hi Thanks for the advice, i don't want to go bankrupt as I want to pay my debts off, i was just asking if I would be forced too as I will only have a low income.

The other advice about not selling the house due to deprivation of assets is a concern, as my wife is only 50,and will find work soon but not enough to pay the mortgage but if the bank have to reposes it then we will lose everything as I have been told they will sell it quickly for whatever they can get and I will lose any equity. I have £30,000 left and next door which is identical sold for £100,00 last summer so I could have money to pay off my debts ,start again , but have to rent. But if it is not allowed as asset deprivation then I don't know what I can do ???

as your wife is only 50 don't think deprivation of assets would apply in your case as even if you were in need of care in a few years the council would have to exclude your home for care costs if your wife is living there and at age 50 it could be 20/30 years (hopefully in your case too;)) by the time she needs care.


BUT please try and keep your home you really don't want to be renting at your time if life my Husband is 66 and I am 60 and we certainly would not want to be renting at our age