Pensioner poverty

Shinamae

I don’t have a mortgage or rent luckily enough but I do have council tax,gas and electric,well you know all the usual utilities that everyone has… at the moment I am paying back an Overpayment to HMRC of £15 a month and I’ve just started going to the gym which is really helping my mental state and that is £28 a month. I really don’t know how some people would manage on just the state pension if they had rent or mortgage to pay

They receive Pension Credit and, if they pay rent, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support. If they are receiving Pension Credit, there are also a couple of other add-ons, such as free dental care.

Germanshepherdsmum

Neither do I shinamae. Even with pension credit and whatever other benefits may be available it must be a miserable existence. I do hope you will be able to get that pension topped up to a more realistic figure.

It depends. In the past, I've forced myself to live on the maximum for Universal Credit and then Pension Credit. I've paid for my rent myself, but it's still been the same as I would have received, if I hadn't been working.

To be honest, I don't regard my existence as "miserable". It was, of course, harder to live on the amount of Universal Credit than on Pension Credit, but I've never not been able to pay for essentials and have a little left over, which maybe I appreciate more than others. I actually feel a bit sorry for people who have to spend loads of money not to be miserable. I feel sorrier for families who live on or below the breadline for years.

No council tax support unless they pay rent growstuff? That seems very unfair if they are on pension credit. I confess I don’t know the rules and am very grateful that I haven’t had to find out.

I simply meant having to continually stick to a very tight budget with little opportunity for a small treat without worrying, grow. Worrying about increasing prices. Always having to think carefully before spending anything except on real essentials. Always worrying about some essential household appliance packing up and being unable to afford to repair or replace it, or some essential repairs to your house. A life filled with worry.

Germanshepherdsmum

Neither do I shinamae. Even with pension credit and whatever other benefits may be available it must be a miserable existence. I do hope you will be able to get that pension topped up to a more realistic figure.

That’s why I work part time GSM because the extra money is of course very welcome and it’s a bonus that I enjoy my job..

That’s why I work part time GSM because the extra money is of course very welcome and it’s a bonus that I enjoy my job.. Shinamae

I love you that you’re in that position, as I was, but so many of my friends ands family aren’t. They depend on the top ups and I personally don’t begrudge them a penny.

What so many youngsters don’t realise is that they will benefit from their grandparents and parents beneficence where so many of our generation didn’t.

No-one should have to worry about being able to have a comfortable life after a lifetime’s work, and it sounds as if Shinamae has worked very hard and continues to do so. I’m glad you enjoy your job Shinamae but it can’t be easy. Please don’t put yourself down by saying you’ve done menial work. I’m sure everything you have done has been of value to society and honest work is always something to be proud of.

SillyNanny321

Hi madeinyorkshire good to hear I am not alone! After 2 spells in hospital after shoulder damage was told I would need Care. This was arranged without me being told I would have to pay. My Council told me that my DLA takes me above their limit & that they will not allow me to claim for a Cleaner, Gardener or Window Cleaner. All that they ‘allow’ is utilities, food & rent! Any debts that I have, credit card, is ignored & I should stop paying unnecessary items! So I had to pay a lump sum of £800+ which of course I had to borrow & now pay £20 a week for someone to help me wash my hair taking 15 mins twice a week! Seems some councils give more help but not mine! Hate being old but it does beat the alternative. Keep well!

Hi Sillynanny

Which Local Authority are you with as I can help you 'fight' that! It's an absolute disgrace .....

So you have been assessed as needing care, and are you actually getting any at all?

Yes they send you out a form to complete which only includes all your income and expenditure of housing costs, don't think mine actually gave me 'utilities' actually! They SHOULD be allowing you your Disability Related Expenditure!! So that is definitely something I can help you fight for if you would like me to?

Kind regards

Rachel

Germanshepherdsmum

I don’t know how you managed to get money released from your local government pension Madeinyiorkshire. I couldn’t even transfer mine to a private pension when I left the public sector and had to wait until age 60 to receive it as a pension not a lump sum.

My pension small as it is, I was able to get as soon as I became unable to work - it is a Scottish NHS Pension. My Private pensions when I looked at them when I became 55 would have given me an income of £69 a month, so I didn't bother doing that and drew it down over several years which basically kept me afloat! All gone now, so upsizing actually with a much cheaper property in a worse area sadly ....

Shinamae

Having always done quite menial jobs I have never paid into a private pension scheme. Anyway I am 68 and still working part time in a care home and luckily enough I do love my job but my pension, my state pension, of £652 a month is certainly not enough for me to live on Even though I don’t drink drive or smoke it would just be an existence if i had to manage on that £652..

Shinamae aren't you entitled to Pension Credit?

MadeInYorkshire

Shinamae

Having always done quite menial jobs I have never paid into a private pension scheme. Anyway I am 68 and still working part time in a care home and luckily enough I do love my job but my pension, my state pension, of £652 a month is certainly not enough for me to live on Even though I don’t drink drive or smoke it would just be an existence if i had to manage on that £652..

Shinamae aren't you entitled to Pension Credit?

I wouldn’t have thought so purely because I work.

Shinamae

MadeInYorkshire

Shinamae

Having always done quite menial jobs I have never paid into a private pension scheme. Anyway I am 68 and still working part time in a care home and luckily enough I do love my job but my pension, my state pension, of £652 a month is certainly not enough for me to live on Even though I don’t drink drive or smoke it would just be an existence if i had to manage on that £652..

Shinamae aren't you entitled to Pension Credit?

I wouldn’t have thought so purely because I work.

I think you would be if you were unable to work, as that just isn't enough for any sort of life! Maybe go and have a look at the calculator?

www.gov.uk/pension-credit-calculator

Thanks MIY i’ve just checked and I am not entitled to pension credit at the moment, I probably would be if I stopped working but I don’t want to do that but thank you for your advice

I will never vote Conservative again. I am ashamed of their behavour.