Pension, no previous address.

Easypd

My wife’s father is in his 70s and is Ill. He has little to his name and has not drawn a pension. There is doubt over whether he can get it, hence me looking for help. He works full time currently.

The illness is quite serious. Best case is he will need to convalesce during and after treatment.

We will of course help him however we can, my wife will sell her car, we can make cutbacks and he can move down here with us. Helping him will put us in hardship, but we’ll cope.

I just want to know if he can get a pension, or any other kind of help, as I am guessing his employer will medically retire him soon and an income for him will ease the whole situation. I’m fairly sure he has no private pension. Most of his life seems to be in two bin bags 😢

This is where there is doubt. He has lived abroad, but I am pretty sure he has paid at least 30 years uk NI. He has not claimed thus far because he lived for quite a few years with a lady who it turns out claimed some sort of benefit that she shouldn’t have whilst he was there. Essentially, he was ‘off the grid’ address wise. He said that his ‘pension forms’ need previous addresses and so he didn’t do them. He cannot fill them in without revealing that someone was claiming benefits incorrectly. He apparently lives in an area where there would be repercussions for anyone sharing this kind of info.

Does anyone have an idea what we/he can do?

Please, in your comments bear in mind he is ill and we are having difficult times. I’d rather no moral judgements. I am aware not making arrangements for retirement is not good and living with someone whilst claiming benefits is bad too. This is not my way, I play by the rules, but the whole thing is a mess. He is not well enough to work, but is scared to claim pension.

xylophone

He is no longer living with the shady lady?

He should check on whether he does have any private pension provision.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-pension-tracing-service-website-launched

He should claim his state pension. As he did not claim it five + years ago, it has been deferred.

https://www.litrg.org.uk/tax-guides/pensioners-and-tax/what-state-pension-deferral

Form and notes here.

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/324636/br1.pdf

TELLIT01

The fact that he lived with somebody who may have been claiming benefits illegally should not directly affect his entitlement to State Pension. That is decided purely on his National Insurance record. If he was working in the UK and making NI contributions there is likely to be an entitlement.

Easypd

Thank you both! The shady lady is no more! I will get on this tonight. Thanks again

pmlindyloo

His state pension application must come first.

If he is medically retired then he may be able to 'top up' his state pension with Pension Credit.

Also, if he is sick and off work then depending on what income (sick pay?) he has he may still be eligible for Pension Credit.

Also he may be eligible for Attendance Allowance now or in the future. (This is not means tested - he could be a millionaire and still be eligible)

It is difficult to advise further until you know exactly what happens with his job. He may be entitled to sick pay, or something else. Perhaps this needs investigating too?

AgeUK is a good source of information, help and support and your local branch may do home visits. Or his local CAB.

It would be sensible to get him some support but you would need to know what he is earning now and what is going to happen with his employment.

But............. state pension first.

Easypd

Well, its a bit crap and Im desperate for help.

He has months, chemo wont touch things as its all to advanced. Just morphine. Pensions people will send forms next week and then take two weeks to process. He has stopped work and as of last week has zero income. Not a penny. With explanation of this, the best I could get is forms in the post probably next week with a two week processing time once received back.

Can things be fast tracked?

Can he take the differed pension as a lump sum? (Obviously, without being morbid he wont need it in 6 months)

I am traveling twice weekly at a cost of £150 per week, taking groceries and have cancelled my family holiday, using this money and savings. It will be credit cards soon and I cannot tell him this.

He is sharing with a flat mate, a one bed flat and he takes the couch apparently. She is starting to realise that she will have a very sick man on her hands soon and I guess she didnt sign up for this and will be looking to move him out.

Feeling overwhelmed and after calling 5 different numbers, each progressively less helpful, I can see why people do not claim their entitlement.

NeilCr

Can I suggest you talk to MacMillan

http://finance.macmillan.org.uk/help-managing-your-money/money-worries

In my experience they are very good and should be able to give you the support and help you need

Easypd

I did, they said they cannot offer financial advice and gave me government numbers. At least I was able to let some emotion out which helped a little. I will check your link though, thanks

Easypd

Sorry, no it was Marie curie. I will call these guys. Thanks!

NeilCr

Easypd wrote: »

Sorry, no it was Marie curie. I will call these guys. Thanks!

No problem.

In my area, anyway, MacMillan have trained welfare benefits advisers.

elmer

His doctor should issue a DS1500 which is a fast track to Attendance Alllowance for people who are terminally ill. It should be processed very quickly and will also qualify him for a Blue Badge