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benefits options
wallofbeans
Posts: 1,491 Forumite
Hi All,
A family member has got themselves into financial trouble. We've been waiting for this point for a long time and now I want to be able to offer sound and realistic advice.
He was made redundant several years ago and didn't find another job in his area. I think there were elements of pride that then stopped him from looking into many other jobs and he put his head in the sand and has been living off of cashing in various small pension pots ever since.
He is single, has no house and the savings money has almost dried up. He is renting a 3 bedroom house but lives on his own, and is soon to run out of money for the rent.
He has never claimed any kind of benefits. I think this is pride again. I don't know how it works these days as the last time I claimed was 10 years ago.
He is claimed his state pension, and possibly has a little more coming in from another pension pot he has been working is way through.
Can anyone advise me what benefits he is entitled too?
A family member has got themselves into financial trouble. We've been waiting for this point for a long time and now I want to be able to offer sound and realistic advice.
He was made redundant several years ago and didn't find another job in his area. I think there were elements of pride that then stopped him from looking into many other jobs and he put his head in the sand and has been living off of cashing in various small pension pots ever since.
He is single, has no house and the savings money has almost dried up. He is renting a 3 bedroom house but lives on his own, and is soon to run out of money for the rent.
He has never claimed any kind of benefits. I think this is pride again. I don't know how it works these days as the last time I claimed was 10 years ago.
He is claimed his state pension, and possibly has a little more coming in from another pension pot he has been working is way through.
Can anyone advise me what benefits he is entitled too?
0
Comments
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Possibly?
Pension Credit on 0800 99 1234 backdated three months
Housing Benefit via his Council
Council Tax Support via Council0 -
So no job seekers allowance? Is this because he is at retirement age? He keeps talking about getting a job but doesn't do anything about it...0
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Possibly?
Pension Credit on 0800 99 1234 backdated three months
Housing Benefit via his Council
Council Tax Support via Council
How does he claim these things? Does he go to jobcentre? Or Is it all done online now? He doesn't really do the internet but I can talk him through it. Or can it be done over the phone?
And any ideas how long it takes? His rent is due very soon and I doubt he has the money to cover it...0 -
He can't claim JSA because of his age. See this link for pension credit and how to claim.wallofbeans wrote: »So no job seekers allowance? Is this because he is at retirement age? He keeps talking about getting a job but doesn't do anything about it...
https://www.gov.uk/pension-credit
No idea how long it takes.
He will need his tenancy agreement for housing benefit claim. This can take a few weeks.
Pop his details into this benefits calculator to see what he could possibly claim.
https://benefits-calculator.turn2us.org.uk/AboutYou0 -
This page gives information on benefits. If you click on the benefit required it will tell you how to claim
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/
For Council Tax Support and Housing Benefit contact your local council. You'll find how to claim on their website
In some areas Universal Credit has replaced Housing Benefit
You can check here for your dad
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/universal-credit/before-you-apply/Check-if-youre-eligible-for-Universal-Credit/0 -
Does he rent privately or is he in social housing?0
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Tabbytabitha wrote: »Does he rent privately or is he in social housing?
He's renting privately. I'd like him to get on a list for social housing but...0 -
He lives alone so doesn't need three bedrooms?
Have you looked into his renting a one bedroom flat, either privately or through a housing association, particularly a HA scheme for those over 60?
https://www.ageuk.org.uk/globalassets/age-uk/documents/factsheets/fs48_pension_credit_fcs.pdf will be worth a read.0 -
He lives alone so doesn't need three bedrooms?
Have you looked into his renting a one bedroom flat, either privately or through a housing association, particularly a HA scheme for those over 60?
https://www.ageuk.org.uk/globalassets/age-uk/documents/factsheets/fs48_pension_credit_fcs.pdf will be worth a read.
Thanks for this. I know... Been trying with that sort of thing for years now. Eventually he'll have to though, and we are almost at that point...0 -
Does anyone know how it works if he got housing benefit etc for the house he is currently in but then moved to a smaller place... Does he have to apply again?
The tricky thing with private renting is most houses say 'no benefits' so I assume you have to pay normally at first and then transition into paying via housing benefit... or at least that's what I remember doing when I needed to...0
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