What Benefits Should I Claim if too Ill to Work?

borkid

Maharishi wrote: »

.

I taught privately for 25 years and that dried up during the last recession. I have not had a student for nigh on 7 years now. Nice thought though, again, it would involve sitting for long periods which, of course, is not now possible.

My current guitar teacher ( classical) does a fair bit of moving around when teaching me. It might depend on the level of the student though as I started with him way past beginner stage.

borkid

To add acupincture isn't manipulation.

"Traditional Chinese acupuncture involves the insertion of extremely fine needles into the skin at specific "acupoints." This may relieve pain by releasing endorphins, the body's natural pain-killing chemicals, and by affecting the part of the brain that governs serotonin, a brain chemical involved with mood."


You have a lot of experience in the music sector would it be possible for you to curate events? Not sure how lucrative it would be but it would bring in some money and be something positive to do.

Maharishi

borkid wrote: »

My current guitar teacher ( classical) does a fair bit of moving around when teaching me. It might depend on the level of the student though as I started with him way past beginner stage.

Room is way too small for anything like that.

Maharishi

borkid wrote: »

To add acupincture isn't manipulation.

"Traditional Chinese acupuncture involves the insertion of extremely fine needles into the skin at specific "acupoints." This may relieve pain by releasing endorphins, the body's natural pain-killing chemicals, and by affecting the part of the brain that governs serotonin, a brain chemical involved with mood."


You have a lot of experience in the music sector would it be possible for you to curate events? Not sure how lucrative it would be but it would bring in some money and be something positive to do.

Probably not. I do have, indeed, a vast amount of experience at grass roots level but under the current climate of pubs and clubs closing or stopping entertainment, it is a very sick animal that is moving relentlessly towards its demise. Sad state of affairs having lived through the halcyon years in the 70s ...

another_casualty

So sorry to hear of your situation o p . You've done well in life up until now.
It's a shame that you never paid your stamp when you saw the optional box on your form from your accountant .
Thankfully , you are mortgage free .
Like you , I've never claimed for anything until jan this year, and am on universal credit . It's nasty. I claimed in jan this year and my first appointment with the ' job coach' was in March. So no payment until then .
£317 pm , which is a word I won't mention on here .
I believe that I have ltd capability for work , and am appealing against their decision to refuse me . I expect if you apply , the same thing will probably happen to you . Hopefully your other half may help you with some of her savings ? Not sure of the value of your home . Something to consider ?
What I'm trying to say , is that if there is still a way of avoiding claiming for universal credit then that is the best option imho.
I always said I'd work all my life and avoid ' the dole ' as it is known really .
Unfortunately , my health has suffered and rather than claim almost 3 years ago when I changed my life , I decided to recuperate and live off of my savings as I was scared about unemployment etc.
Now that I'm on universal credit , I can talk from experience .
Acupuncture is brilliant imho , but if anyone commits they should commit for about 6 sessions to see if it is for them or not . I'm not a medical person so I'll leave it there .
Great advice given already obviously , especially from borkid relating to your capabilities .
Hope things work out ..

calcotti

Maharishi wrote: »

Anyway, the die is cast and I thank you all so far for your help and suggestions. I hope that you don't judge the actions of a foolish young man too harshly ...

No judgement at all -completely understandable. If you can find some money net to pay it you will have the option to make voluntary Class 2 payments going back a number of years to boost your pension entitlement - provided you can get to at least 10 years in total.

calcotti

Maharishi wrote: »

.On the State Pension situation, isn't there something called pension credit which acts as a "top up" specifically for people in my boat? I do not presume for one minute that I am the only individual who has fallen short in the contribution stakes.

Pension Credit is a means tested benefit. If you are part of a couple entitlement is based on your joint circumstances so your wife’s pension and savings are taken into account (although there is no savings limit).

Maharishi

calcotti wrote: »

No judgement at all -completely understandable. If you can find some money net to pay it you will have the option to make voluntary Class 2 payments going back a number of years to boost your pension entitlement - provided you can get to at least 10 years in total.

Seems that backdating is limited to 4 years ...

Maharishi

another_casualty wrote: »

So sorry to hear of your situation o p . You've done well in life up until now.
It's a shame that you never paid your stamp when you saw the optional box on your form from your accountant .
Thankfully , you are mortgage free .
Like you , I've never claimed for anything until jan this year, and am on universal credit . It's nasty. I claimed in jan this year and my first appointment with the ' job coach' was in March. So no payment until then .
£317 pm , which is a word I won't mention on here .
I believe that I have ltd capability for work , and am appealing against their decision to refuse me . I expect if you apply , the same thing will probably happen to you . Hopefully your other half may help you with some of her savings ? Not sure of the value of your home . Something to consider ?
What I'm trying to say , is that if there is still a way of avoiding claiming for universal credit then that is the best option imho.
I always said I'd work all my life and avoid ' the dole ' as it is known really .
Unfortunately , my health has suffered and rather than claim almost 3 years ago when I changed my life , I decided to recuperate and live off of my savings as I was scared about unemployment etc.
Now that I'm on universal credit , I can talk from experience .
Acupuncture is brilliant imho , but if anyone commits they should commit for about 6 sessions to see if it is for them or not . I'm not a medical person so I'll leave it there .
Great advice given already obviously , especially from borkid relating to your capabilities .
Hope things work out ..

Thank you so much for this. There is nothing to replace the advice from someone who has had first hand experience of the "system".

My wife isn't mean but her savings are hers and she has them invested to top up her pension etc. They are not sitting in her current account and, to be perfectly honest, I would not be comfortable asking her for financial support.

The house also is hers and although I have done my share of looking after it and paid my half of the running costs, I have never been able to contribute financially towards the mortgage. I consider that my wife has been more than generous by providing a roof over my head ...

Nil Desperandum.

Maharishi

calcotti wrote: »

Pension Credit is a means tested benefit. If you are part of a couple entitlement is based on your joint circumstances so your wife’s pension and savings are taken into account (although there is no savings limit).

Isn't it ironic that one is penalised because someone close to them has been sensible during their life and made provision for their future. Seems wrong that she should have to shoulder my burden.