Entitled to Calculator! Could this be correct?

greenview1

Hi Glossgal. In answer to your query my mother only paid the lower stamp and therefore only qualified for £2.70 per week pension, she became ill at the age of 59 and had to retire through ill health. My father also finished work at the age of 58 to look after my mother for two years.Both of them were to proud to claim any benefits during this period and survived on savings and from the proceeds from the sale of there home.
My father had a pension forecast done which revealed that he had made tax and NI contributions amounting to £92875 in his working life but because he did not pay any stamps for the two years he was looking after my mum he was disqualified from claiming jobseekers allowance or sickness benefit. he is now sick (I mean in poor health......not with the system) and this is why they only have an income of £2.70 per week apart from savings whivh are reducing quite rapidly. I s the benefits sysyem fair?

glossgal

Sorry that your parents are sick, I can understand people's frustration when they have paid their stamps but can't claim certain things- but the fact they were too proud to claim when there were potentially benefits available eg Carers Allowance, DLA, Incapacity Benefit etc is not the systems fault. Also, considering they have £90000 in savings but are still eligible for a means tested benefit (Pension Credit) and their rent and council tax paid that is not bad going if you ask me?

seven-day-weekend

Yes, I too am sorry your parents are ill but the fact rremains that with State Pension and Incapacity Benefit, if you don't pay in at the right time you can't draw out, as they are contributory-based and not means-tested.

I'm glad to hear that they are now eligible for £18.65 Pension Credit, which will passport them to having their Council Tax and rent paid.

Gemmzie

I'm wondering if your mother would qualify under the rules where women can top-up their stamp to get their pensions paid. I believe you ask them for the shortfall amount and then if you pay it (which they could afford to do) then she'd get her pension. Might be worth contacting the DWP about

TAZ

if both your parents are now sick it might be worth looking at wether they can claim dla or attendance allowance.

G-G_4

Can't they spend some of the money ? Buying a property maybe or a vehicle?

What I mean is are they letting it sit there and going without, because it may be better for them to have a more comfortable life and be able to claim off the state for things everyone else does..

Hope that makes sense?

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