Benefits

They are often local. I expect AgeUK has a local list.

How do we find out where the discounts for pensioners are? Especially shops, meals out etc.

DaisyAnne

I just wish GN would be part of that community and let us have a Benefits board. No money in it, I suppose.

I agree a separate board would be useful. We had one then it was shut down, but there are a lot of benefit enquiries on the Legal and pensions board.

Thistlelass

If she is in social housing do they not have staff who assist with matters related to her tenancy etc?

Most HA have a team who will help you complete the relevant forms for you sister and they will send it in for her and monitor the progress they are very helpful indeed.
Also look for discounts for pensioners in regard to hairdressing/meals out they often come with discounts between 10-15% so well worth having.

She didn’t have to do that as she did an online calculation which showed she can get housing and council tax benefit. Fortunately she has some (small) savings as you can only apply-in her case when she retires-and the benefit is paid in arrears too but it will be ok after the first month. She is a shopaholic though and, as she has no friends or interests, her «outing» is to a shop so I’ve said there are quite a few free/cheap activities for us oldies she needs to find locally.

If she is in social housing do they not have staff who assist with matters related to her tenancy etc?

Well I’m certainly grateful-I recognise that there’s always someone on here who truly knows about something and is willing to tell us!

I just wish GN would be part of that community and let us have a Benefits board. No money in it, I suppose.

It’s great to see a group of people come together and help another, well done all pat on the back

Aw thanks-it’s so lovely when things work out isn’t it?
It won’t be easy for her-pretty much hand to mouth for now but at least she has enough income to cover her outgoings. I keep saying «when you stop driving» cos she’ll be much bettter off when she’s not running a car. A local son can collect her when she visits; she has a bus pass for shopping (frequent enough buses within sight of where she lives and they stop at supermarket) and she can always use the occasional taxi so all will be well. She doesn’t have any friends or interests so doesn’t need to be going hither and yon.

So am I Newquay

Yes Daisyanne you’re right. She’ll now give in her notice end of October to retire end of December. Am SO pleased for her

It's worth checking her overall eligibility to benefits generally once she has sorted out the housing side.

I am so pleased for you both. Such a weight off your shoulders.

Well, she went onto local
authority website and did calculations for housing benefit and-success!-looks like she’ll get sufficient help towards rent and council tax to manage. What a relief! Thank you all SO much

Good luck Newquay. People can get an accountant to help with their taxes. Benefits are no less complicated but, obviously, people can't afford the accountant

Daisy Ann her savings are not over the £10k.
Will try Turn2us and suggest she contacts whoever she pays her rent to too-good idea!
We did use the govt benefit calculator!
Didn’t realise there’s a difference between housing benefit and pension credit!
Thanks

Do not assume that using the figures will give you the right answer. You are much better using a benefits calculator.

benefits-calculator.turn2us.org.uk/
www.entitledto.co.uk/

Check that her savings are not over £10,000. If they are between £10,000 and £16,000 that will add a nominal amount to her "income".

You can be entitled to housing benefit but not to Pension Credit. It threw me a bit when I came across it, but it can happen.

Housing benefit can/may include the cost of some (most) services.

For some reason, the logic of which I have not managed to grasp, this can then tip you into Pension Credit - or not.

I agree with Toetoe. Most housing associations have someone who will help. Some don't only help with benefits some will help ensure you are not paying out too much in other ways.

My sister lives in social housing and there is a welfare lady who is there for advice and help . Ask your sister to check with her housing association if their is someone who can help . They usually come to the home too . This person should be able to help with any financial issues

Oldnproud you’d think so wouldn’t you? Am just stumped!
Will suggest she actually makes a claim-showing just her state pension as income as she’ll immediately be in shortfall the minute she stops work but she can’t carry on-in any event she has to stop at some point!

LOUISA1523

I thought you could only get pension credit on the old state pension? .... she will be getting the new state pension

Actually, I think you're right, Louisa. I remembered that after I posted.

I'm certain she should be able to claim something though, as paying her rent and council tax alone (not sure what reduction she can be getting on the latter now other than than 25% single adult discount), she can't possibly have enough left over to cover her other living costs.

I thought you could only get pension credit on the old state pension? .... she will be getting the new state pension

Thanks for your input! We’re still going round in circles ?
She does get council tax reduction already.
We did the calculation, as if she’d retired, on the govt site which shows she’s not entitled to anything. If she can get help towards rent she could manage. We have pared her expenses to the bone. She will be about £70 a week short-don’t know where to go from here ?

Yes that’s what we used first of all and it showed she’s just over the limit then we tried “entitledto» site which said she IS entitled!!

Not true Monica in West Berkshire.

If she is a single householder she should not be paying full council tax. If she is 67 she will have been entitled to state pension from her 66th birthday. She will be getting automatically a Winter's Fuel Allowance which this year has aPensioner's cost of living allowance and is £500 per household.Hope this helps.