Would it be an idea to have a Benefits Forum on the list?

Great idea. I read somewhere you can claim national insurance credits for childcare but I can't remember who posted it. I didn't know there was such a thing but I'm sure I read about it.

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I think it’s a good idea too.

I think GN wants to monitor the thread for longer because so far there are not too many voices ( as opposed to number of posts.)
I don’t think it matters too much what subject heading it comes under, benefits money and legal sounds good though.

It’s worth repeating what director Justine Roberts said on the launch of Gransnet, ten years ago:

"The Mumsnet community has given a powerful collective voice to a group that was previously somewhat disenfranchised. We’d like to do the same for older people, who are arguably even more isolated and unheard and in need of a place for peer-to-peer support"

Source: metro.co.uk/2011/05/06/mumsnet-goes-grey-as-it-launches-gransnet-1528/

Peer-to-peer support is when people use their own experiences to help each other.

This is exactly what we are asking for in a dedicated Benefits section so why is Gransnet showing reluctance? One wonders if Ms Roberts is aware of what is going on in her own company.

GNHQ - would you please ask Ms Roberts to comment on this and tell GN members the best way to contact her directly.

Soniagransnet

Hi - just dropping in to say thanks for the ideas here which are really useful.

If we can see there's a fair bit of interest over the next few weeks, we'll have a think about adding it as a board.

Hi Sonia, What would HQ regard as a fair bit of interest ?

If the posts, so far, are anything to go by it looks as though there is already considerable interest!

Also, how many weeks = a few weeks ?

IIRC, FC proposed one fairly recently. It was as a direct response to GNHQ' s perceived reluctance to effect suggestions proposed by us. 203 people contributed.

I just thought that a pre-planned date, encouraging people to state their support for your proposal, might 'concentrate the mind' rather than have this drifting along over the weeks and running out of steam.
It could encourage people to email GNHQ with their support or maybe answer a simple question 'Would you like to see..?
Yes/No'

Just an observation...!

What "action" are you suggesting ixion

How about another 'Day of Action'?
Last one worked well.

I'm just bumping because we seem to have to fit some criteria when it comes to a "Benefits" board that hasn't happened in for other requests.

I've concluded there are two possibilities. One that there isn't a decision-maker available. Or two, that advertising might be affected if it looks like we are not the wealthy generation the media often paints us as. Who knows?!

Sadly, I feel this means those who would like a little help and comfort will get lost on the main (weighted in "active") threads.

We can keep bumping and hoping for a while.

Very good idea

Exactly, Blossoming.

I don't understand why the response from GN is so lukewarm.

If ..? We'll have a think about ...?

Isn't that like customers asking for something but a someone at HO saying we don't think there's enough demand. Websites should be driven by what its users want not what administrators and developers want.

With universal credit cuts, impeding fuel poverty for many and an existing care crisis, there has never been a more appropriate time for a space where people can come together to give help and support. Please act now Gransnet, not later.

I think that a ‘Benefits’ section is a great idea. It could cover additional sources of help as well as state welfare benefits. Housing benefits, blue badges, disabled facilities grants are a few examples.

I do recommend using Moneysaving Expert, the information on there is always up to date.

Soniagransnet thank you for stopping by to acknowledge this suggestion but why weeks? "If we can see there's a fair bit of interest over the next few weeks, we'll have a think about adding it as a board" surely we, the forum participants have already voiced our interest and yet again your (GNHQ) response is half hearted to say the least. Will this be yet another of those good ideas that is left till it fades from memory?

PS they reckon £1bn is owed. Be good if we could get some money back for a GN person.

Well, I think the first thing is to begin to look at something we all receive and that is the state pension.

So, what is the problem where many women have not received the correct pension, due to calculation error, and how can we all calculate our own pension etc.

Many thanks "suep*. Your knowledge would be very useful if we can get it going.

I have no idea why Scams and Frauds - a good idea for many of the same reasons as this - was immediately taken up, while this hasn't been.

Anyone with any ideas?

I worked at Citizens Advice for 10 years as a Benefits Supervisor. Although I did a little work on UC, I retired before full service in my area. I represented clients at Tribunal mainly for Employment and Support Allowance and Personal Independence Payment. The relief for the clients when the tribunal hearing was successful was great. A Benefits forum is a good idea.

I agree ixion. People will not keep coming back to say they think it is a good idea for the "next few weeks".

Sad, because we could have done with a thread about the points in Granny23's Wed 22-Sep-21 10:17:41 post. There is little point in putting it on a more general thread as people would want to come back to it over time, as we learn more about it. Much to do with benefit is long drawn out and involves different people coming and going.

Sorry, still don't get it...
Scams and Frauds - immediate (re)action = My suggestion only.

Surely, responses thus far have been prompted by the immediacy and timeliness of the original post.
Contributions are bound to diminish as the thread ages - or 'drops off' altogether
Are these not sufficient?

I got in touch this morning ixion. I am now wondering if the person who replied knew I had been asked by her colleague to put this thread on "Site Stuff".

Perhaps, if there is anyone there, they could let us know what their thinking is on having a Benefit Forum on the list.

Why the delay in setting this up by GNHQ?
How much input do they need, do you suppose?
?‍♀️

I agree that this would be very useful, not legally binding of course, but advice, experience, hints and tips. Not just for those over retirement age either, perhaps pass on hints and tips gained from our working age adult children and their experience with universal credits, PIP etc., A jolly good idea PippaZ.

Dementia - not dementia!!!!