Don't know what to do

darran66

I survive on a private pension off £1200 pm and out of that comes £730 rent £125 CT £80 diesel £60 phone credit card £80 food £90 pm I moved to Surrey after being homeless but my family live in se London so it costs a lot on fuel and I was told I am not entitled to any help but am struggling to cope

Does anyone know if that's true please 

lr1277

I don't know if that is true.

But you could try claiming for Pension credit.Based on my reading of the government website, and my calculation of your weekly income, you earn just over the limit for a joint claimant ie. a couple. But they do say put in a clam anyway.

Howeer I think you will get the best advice on the Benefits and tax credits board which is under Work, Benefits & Business. So ask your question there, or ask a moderator to move your post to that board.

I have never used the following site, but you may find it helpful:

entitledto.co.uk

peteuk

OP - how old are you?  I dont want to assume that your private pension makes you of retirement age.  In fact the absence of state pension says your not at retirement age.

Look at alternative ways to get to family, or can the travel to you?

Reduce your mobile costs? Contact your provider and see what they say.

Do you have any savings?

Take a look at the other forums on here, you might pick up on some ideas that might work for you.

Good luck!

sourpuss2021

GiffGaff is a good option for mobile phone, you can get that cost down to £10:

https://www.giffgaff.com/sim-only-deals

poppy12345

lr1277 said:

But you could try claiming for Pension credit.

A person can only claim pension credit if they are state pension age and above. A person receiving a private pension doesn't mean they are state pension age.

OP are you above or below state pension age? if below, have you worked at all in the previous 2 tax years?

Spoonie_Turtle

Benefits entitlement doesn't take into consideration bills to be paid.  However I wonder if your income is low enough to have some council tax reduction (if you don't already)?

If you put your details into a benefits calculator it will tell you
https://www.entitledto.co.uk/
https://benefits-calculator.turn2us.org.uk/

Depending on where exactly you and your family live it could be worth looking into how much the train fare is to visit them, whether that would be cheaper than driving, particularly if you got a Network Railcard.

McKneff

National express is far, far cheaper than train. 

Again, how old are you