I will reach pension age in june. Already stressing over what to do

Avabella

I will reach pension age in june.  Already stressing over what to do,
I get ESA  and am in the support group,
I get disability indefinately lower component for mobility and same for care
Hsing benefit, and c/tax reduction
I dont even know where to start, ie  who do i phone, 
I suffer with social anxiety so struggle to go to drop in centres for help/info.
Just feeling very anxious about all the changes
Any advice i would greatly appreciate.
Thanks.

Alex_Alumni

Hello there @Avabella and welcome to the online community Thanks for explaining how you're doing at the moment, I'm sorry to hear you're anxious.

Can I ask when you say you're feeling very anxious about "all the changes", what exactly do you mean?

I don't want to assume the wrong thing, but if you are talking about the recent budget and white paper, these changes aren't likely to take place until 2026 or later, and with a general election between now and then, the government may also change. There's no guarantee anything announced will happen.  

poppy123456

Do you live alone or with a partner? If with a partner is the ESA in your name or your partners?

You will need to make sure you claim your state pension. https://www.gov.uk/new-state-pension/how-to-claim

What happens next will depend on the answers to the above questions.

calcotti

Have you received the letter telling you how to comply the State Pension? That compliance needs to be made.

MarieBarl

I am in the same position from August.

I am usually a competent and confident person, but I have just lost my job due to my ill health and am floundering about in heaps of what do I do.

Especially in view of such a short period before the boundaries change.

I can read and offer sympathy though.

The future is scary enough. You arent alone.

Avabella

Hi,  thanks all for replying,  Im anxious because i havent a clue about pensions ect,  i live alone,  i have received a letter from jobcentre about new rates in April, but from a week before my birthday in June, my Esa will be £19.55 wk less. It just says "because of age"  
I am not 66 until 21st june,
I havent as yet received any letters from DWP about my disability alliwance as yet
Im still on the old style benefit not pip .
Do i contact them now,  i dont want my pension till my birthday,  

calcotti

ESA will stop when you reach pension age. State Pension start provided you are applied.

Any disability will be unchanged (wasn’t clear whether you meant PIP or DLA). 

If you have a disability benefit and live alone and nobody remains any carer benefit for looking after you you may also be entitled for Pension Credit also. Sensible to also apply for Pension Credit at the time as State Pension.

If you get Housing Benefit and/or Council Tax Reduction they should also continue.

calcotti

Note that if you haven’t had a letter claim yet I know make the claim online.
https://www.gov.uk/new-state-pension/how-to-claim

calcotti

Avabella said:

.., but from a week before my birthday in June, my Esa will be £19.55 wk less. It just says "because of age"  ..

How much is your ESA per week at the moment?

calcotti

Adding to previous reply by me -
if you are getting PIP or DLA and you live alone and nobody gets anything for looking for you are you getting Severe Disability Premium on your ESA?

Avabella

Calcoti  I get £270.70 a fortnight.

Avabella

Calcoti  Im on lowest rate mobility £24.45
Lower care  £24.45.
Ive never had anyone to help with benefits.
My son does stuff for me but he works full time and hasnt a clue about benefits
I have social anxiety am more/less hsebound
My neighbours all work and think low of people claiming benefits (snobs)
Ive tried to phone jobcentre but cudnt get through after 2 hrs, by than i was a nervous wreck.
Would just appreciate some advice.

poppy123456

Avabella said:

Calcoti  Im on lowest rate mobility £24.45
Lower care  £24.45.
Ive never had anyone to help with benefits.
My son does stuff for me but he works full time and hasnt a clue about benefits
I have social anxiety am more/less hsebound
My neighbours all work and think low of people claiming benefits (snobs)
Ive tried to phone jobcentre but cudnt get through after 2 hrs, by than i was a nervous wreck.
Would just appreciate some advice.

You won't be entitled to SDP in your ESA because you're only claiming low rate care DLA. You need either mid/high rate care DLA or PIP daily living to be entitled to this.

Whether there's any entitlement to pension credit when you reach state pension age will depend on how much your state pension will be. You can have a state pension forecast here. https://www.gov.uk/check-state-pension

Don't forget you will need to claim your state pension yourself.

calcotti

I think the slight reduce on your final ESA payment is likely to be because your final ESA payment be have a one day reduction for the payment period due to the start of the pension date (although I accept the figures quoted doesn’t seed exactly correct for that).

calcotti

calcotti said:

I think the slight reduce on your final ESA payment is likely to be because your final ESA payment be have a one day reduction for the payment period due to the start of the pension date (although I accept the figures quoted doesn’t seed exactly correct for that).

Please correct my typo. It should say (although I accept the figure quoted doesn’t  exactly correct for that)

poppy123456

calcotti said:

calcotti said:

I think the slight reduce on your final ESA payment is likely to be because your final ESA payment be have a one day reduction for the payment period due to the start of the pension date (although I accept the figures quoted doesn’t seed exactly correct for that).

Please correct my typo. It should say (although I accept the figure quoted doesn’t  exactly correct for that)

They have fixed the missing edit feature and mine has now appeared. Check to see if yours is there now, hopefully it’s back!