Benefits and retirement.

Candy53

Hi,

Could someone put me right please?

My husband retires in September, 2017. If the retirement age for women had stayed the same, I would have been a pensioner too, as I will be 60.

Because we've only just managed on my husband's wages, we haven't any savings, and we are renting our house. We haven't any debt. But, I don't work because of health problems, long term, but I'm in the catch 22 situation, where I'm not classed as bad enough to receive DLA.

My question is, even though my husband will be a pensioner with only the state pension, because I will be classed of working age, will they let us have benefits, such as housing and council tax allowance? Or will they say because I won't be a pensioner, we won't be entitled to anything?

My husband knows he'll have to get some kind of part time job still, if he can, but without any help, it still wouldn't cover much.


Thanks,
Candy.

Darksparkle

Can't help much I'm afraid but while waiting for others to reply, have you tired a benefit calculator such as entitledto or turn2us?

Candy53

Darksparkle wrote: »

Can't help much I'm afraid but while waiting for others to reply, have you tired a benefit calculator such as entitledto or turn2us?

Oh yeah, I will have a look, thanks.


Candy.


(Just looked at Entitled to, and it only calculates for 2016/17.)


I really need to know the law about it at this point in time.

sheramber

Since Sept 2017 is in the next fiscal year there won't be any calculations for that yet. Benefits etc could change for next year.

You can only work estimate it based on the current year's figures.

Darksparkle

Candy53 wrote: »

Oh yeah, I will have a look, thanks.


Candy.


(Just looked at Entitled to, and it only calculates for 2016/17.)


I really need to know the law about it at this point in time.

Any changes won't be known for another few months if not longer as they are announced as part of the Autumn statement and Budget.

Candy53

Thanks, but that isn't what I need to know. I need to know if, when my husband retires, will we still be entitled to benefits, like housing, and council tax, even though I will still be of working age?

Candy.

GwylimT

Depending on your household income you can claim some housing benefit at the one bedroom rate. Council tax benefit is down to individual councils. Your husband may be able to claim pension credit. Do you claim esa?

Your best idea is to use a benefit calculator as though he has been retired a year, this gives the best estimate.

Candy53

Ok I'll try that, thanks.

Darksparkle

Candy53 wrote: »

Thanks, but that isn't what I need to know. I need to know if, when my husband retires, will we still be entitled to benefits, like housing, and council tax, even though I will still be of working age?

Candy.

That's why I suggested the benefit calculator.

xylophone

Has your husband obtained a new state pension statement?

Have you?

https://www.gov.uk/check-state-pension

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/512799/your-state-pension-statement-explained-dwp042.pdf

Some information about Guarantee Pension Credit

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

Candy53

Yeah, I've read up on what I can from the gov sites. I've sent an email to Age UK, and asked them. Thanks for giving me the links.

Candy.