private pension and universal credit

Loueasy1

hi, new to this so bear with me please. im in my 60th year and foolishly took my private pension a few years ago. i only did this because i was struggling financially. so much so i am now in homeless accommodation but being encouraged to move on to a council run sheltered flat. i not entitled to uc because of my small private pension and therefore i get no help with cost of living. I am mentally and physically shot for want of a better word and my pip application is ongoing, over 12 months now.
i cant get a job being in homeless accommodation therefore i cannot increase my income and until i do i cant afford to live independently. 

Any ideas on what help might be available to me would be much appreciated.

Alex_Scope

Hello @Loueasy1 and thanks for reaching out, I'm sorry to hear about your situation. Have you spoken to places like Citizens Advice?

Advice Local might also be able to help, you can search their site for an adviser, and you're also welcome to contact the Scope Helpline by phone or email if you'd like to chat to one of our advisers.

What stage are you at with your PIP application?

Loueasy1

thanks for your advice ill give them a try but i fear there is very little help available.  my pip is at appeal hearing stage awaiting a date. ive got bristol law society representing me.  

Loueasy1

things are getting on top of me now, i face the prospect of being moved out of homeless accommodation with no way of being able to survive on my current income, my anxiety levels are sky high, its such a struggle

calcotti

Your pension is deducted from your any UC. 

Would be willing to say how much pension you receive? Will your increase in April or remain the same. Is the pension a Work pension, an annuity or a drawdown pension?

If claimed UC and were renting a home you would get the standard allowance and help with rent. If you have a health condition that limits your ability to work you could get extra help for that too.

Loueasy1

i keep on hearing about help for households on a low income but there is none for me

poppy123456

Loueasy1 said:

i keep on hearing about help for households on a low income but there is none for me

Although you maybe on low income, it really only applies to those claiming certain means tested benefits. If you can answer calcotti's questions then someone will be able to help you further.

2oldcodgers

poppy123456 said:

Loueasy1 said:

i keep on hearing about help for households on a low income but there is none for me

Although you maybe on low income, it really only applies to those claiming certain means tested benefits. If you can answer calcotti's questions then someone will be able to help you further.

We are on a low income courtesy of having a Pension Credit award. And I must agree that from what the government have said we should be getting all of the help that they feel we should be entitled to.
Yet, and I have mentioned this elsewhere on this site, I not only have to pay tax @20% on all of my private pensions but as from April will have to pay more tax because my 10.1% increase puts my State Pension into a taxable position - yet we are deemed to be on the breadline because of the means tested income.

Cher_Alumni

Loueasy1 said:

things are getting on top of me now, i face the prospect of being moved out of homeless accommodation with no way of being able to survive on my current income, my anxiety levels are sky high, its such a struggle

Hi @Loueasy1

I'm so sorry to hear things are rough going for you right now. I wanted to just pick up on this comment, is there any reason why you face being moved out of your accommodation? And, have you spoken with the lovely team at Shelter for some advice? Here's a link to their free contact details.

How are you managing your anxiety? Do you have any input from your GP or a mental health practitioner? If not, please do try and get an appointment to see your doctor to speak through the emotions you're navigating. It sounds like a very stressful situation, but one you don't have to go through alone.

Please keep talking to us, and we can support you through this tough patch. Take care.

Loueasy1

my work pension totals £540 per month. my rent top up and service charge is currently approx £60 per week. i get no help with transport costs, prescriptions, my eyes havent been tested for 5 years as i cant afford new glasses, i need suitable footwear for high arched feet which i cant afford, the list goes on. when i take out money for food i dont have any money left, its worse than being on minimum wage. if i am moved to my own place i will have to find money for cost of living and council tax to name but two. i cant make ends meet

Loueasy1

im currently in temporary homeless accommodation which must come to an end. done the gp thing about anxiety i just get the impression im not being taken seriously by all professions about how im feeling. its nigh on impossible to get an appointment and its a lot of talk but nothing practical to help. ive got a pip application ongoing for over a year now and my health physically and especially mentally is at an all tine low

Loueasy1

i keep on hearing every household in uk will get help. well i dont

poppy123456

Loueasy1 said:

im currently in temporary homeless accommodation which must come to an end. done the gp thing about anxiety i just get the impression im not being taken seriously by all professions about how im feeling. its nigh on impossible to get an appointment and its a lot of talk but nothing practical to help. ive got a pip application ongoing for over a year now and my health physically and especially mentally is at an all tine low

As you're living in temporary housing you'll be able to claim for help with rent through housing benefit. Though your pension will be counted as income. You will need to claim housing benefit through your local Authority.

For Universal Credit your pension will reduce it £1 for £1 so if you do claim it then there will be no entitlement. However, if you report your health condition when you claim, then send a fit note within 7 days of this, you'll then be referred for a work capability assessment. If you're found to have Limited capability for work related activity. (LCWRA) you will receive extra money from the 4th month after you reported your health condition. There will then be a small UC payment each month. This will then passport you to free NHS dental, eye tests and voucher.

Once you move from temporary accommodation then you'll need to claim for help with the rent through UC. Council tax reduction needs to be claimed from your Local Authority.

Loueasy1 said:

i keep on hearing every household in uk will get help. well i dont

That mostly applies to those that are named on an electric energy account. I don't know how this will work if living in tempory accommodation. For the rest of the Cost of Living payments then you need to be receiving certain means tested benefits... like Universl Credit.

Cher_Alumni

@Loueasy1 Things sound really hard, I'm sorry you're going through this. I'd encourage you to speak with Scope's friendly helpline team who can go into your circumstances more and offer some targeted support. You can contact them on:

Phone: 0808 800 3333.
Email: [email protected].
Textphone: dial 18001 then 0808 800 3333.
Calls are free from UK landlines and mobiles.
Opening times

• Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm. You might get a quicker response if you call before 1pm or after 4pm

• Saturday and Sunday, 10am to 6pm

• Most bank holidays 

Whilst, to help with the cost of food, Scope have this 'Free food and food banks' webpage that I'd urge you to read to see what's available. Your health and wellbeing is a priority  I can recommend the Olio app as I've used it in the past, and it helps reduce food waste that is surplus from supermarkets.

I know these aren't ideal fixes, but try not to lose hope. Give our helpline a ring! Take care.