If we become concerned about you or anyone else while using one of our services, we will act in line with our safeguarding policy and procedures. This may involve sharing this information with relevant authorities to ensure we comply with our policies and legal obligations.
Find out how to let us know if you're concerned about another member's safety.
Find out how to let us know if you're concerned about another member's safety.
Chances of getting a low limit credit card?

coldupnorth
Community member Posts: 26 Connected
I don't 'NEED' a credit card but I'm looking in to getting some form of credit history. I was wondering what my chances were of being eligible for a low level credit card so I get something on my file to show I can manage money.
I'm in receipt of both PIP and ESA(IR).
Has anybody here had any success in applying for a credit card while long term unemployed due to illness? Or are my chances of getting one immediately shot as I can't work?
I'm just looking for something for later down the line on my file to show that I had a CC and I made all the monthly repayments in full.
Thanks.
I'm in receipt of both PIP and ESA(IR).
Has anybody here had any success in applying for a credit card while long term unemployed due to illness? Or are my chances of getting one immediately shot as I can't work?
I'm just looking for something for later down the line on my file to show that I had a CC and I made all the monthly repayments in full.
Thanks.
Tagged:
Comments
-
It shouldn't be a problem, but does depend on your 'unique' personal circumstances / details. Thing is, you lose nothing in trying.
-
@coldupnorth The money expert link stormy posted above is a great way to see if you are eligible. It may be an idea to speak to your bank too.Hannah - She / Her
Online Community Coordinator @ Scope
Concerned about another member's safety or wellbeing? Flag your concerns with us.
Want to give us feedback? Complete our feedback form now. -
stormy said:I have got them whilst on benefits; but I had a credit history already so Im not sure how much difference that makes. It might be worth having a look on money saving expert and do their "no credit check" thingy to see if you stand a chance.
You can mess up your credit score by just having too many credit checks go through in a short space of time so the "soft check" is the thing to go for.
https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/eligibility/credit-cards/search/ -
Hannah_Scope said:@coldupnorth The money expert link stormy posted above is a great way to see if you are eligible. It may be an idea to speak to your bank too.
-
Another thing that might be of interest, are Credit Unions, generally user friendly -
https://www.findyourcreditunion.co.uk/
-
I went bankrupt in 2008 and now in 2023 i am on esa and dla and have a capital one credit card and a luma credit card
-
At 74 I've never had a unpaid debt, nor a loan, an overdraft or even a credit card. I only spend money that I have. Why should I get a credit card or other loan facility and end up paying the provider upwards of 35% for the priviledge?
The only card I have is a debit card which is used to spend my own money. -
stormy said:2oldcodgers said:At 74 I've never had a unpaid debt, nor a loan, an overdraft or even a credit card. I only spend money that I have. Why should I get a credit card or other loan facility and end up paying the provider upwards of 35% for the priviledge?
The only card I have is a debit card which is used to spend my own money.
A credit card is a good way to protect yourself as if anything goes wrong with a purchase they can help you get the money back. It also helps build a good credit score and its free if you pay in full each month. -
2oldcodgers said:At 74 I've never had a unpaid debt, nor a loan, an overdraft or even a credit card. I only spend money that I have. Why should I get a credit card or other loan facility and end up paying the provider upwards of 35% for the priviledge?
The only card I have is a debit card which is used to spend my own money.
-
coldupnorth said:2oldcodgers said:At 74 I've never had a unpaid debt, nor a loan, an overdraft or even a credit card. I only spend money that I have. Why should I get a credit card or other loan facility and end up paying the provider upwards of 35% for the priviledge?
The only card I have is a debit card which is used to spend my own money. -
Why would I want or need to get a mortgage? I am 74 and my wife is 78 and live in our home mortgage free with no intention of buying somewhere else. We decided to down size from a 5 bed detached to a 3 bed semi back in 2003. We have no need to borrow someone else's money at an extortionate rate of interest.
-
Ocean is advertised as a "credit building" credit cardSeasons greetings to one and all 🎄🎅🏻🌲
-
Purrrrrrr said:I just applied and was accepted for a Capital One CC via the money-saving site
0% for 6 months ( going up 34% after the 6mths. All the other options started at 34% so it seemed the right one ( for now )
My limit is £200. I am going to use it to buy the paint, etc., to redecorate my home and hopefully, once I have paid it off (probably at £50 a mth), I will get a higher limit so I can buy my new flooring by that time my home will be fresh and ready.
Thank you @coldupnorth for giving me the push I needed. I have been saving up for my flooring for a long time now and every time I have enough something expensive turns up. Hopefully, this will help. if I cannot get the limit raised high enough, I can always do one room at a time.Awesome! Sounds like a plan! Have fun making your house a home! -
2oldcodgers said:coldupnorth said:2oldcodgers said:At 74 I've never had a unpaid debt, nor a loan, an overdraft or even a credit card. I only spend money that I have. Why should I get a credit card or other loan facility and end up paying the provider upwards of 35% for the priviledge?
The only card I have is a debit card which is used to spend my own money. -
coldupnorth said:I meant more for people such as myself who were born in a time when houses didn't cost 20k.
Then moved to Swansea and bought a 3 bed detached bungalow in a small village outside Swansea for £5500 in 1975
In addition I also bought a modernised 19th C cottage in Swansea for somewhere to stay during the week for £8750
The first time I bought a property that cost more than £20,000 was in 1988 when I moved to the South of England. Paid £100,000 for 4 bed detached house which had far reaching countryside views to the front with the beach behind via my own private path to it. -
The 70's were a time of the haves and have not's. Society was well divided, and what's changed? A studio flat here in central London will cost on average £1,400 pcm, plus utilities and council tax. The people who own these flats are wealthy, the people who rent them are desperate. A room in a flat can cost well upwards of £150 pw.
People on benefits won't get a mortgage. People on low incomes can get a high % credit card, and if used wisely will lead to better credit cards with a lower %. It takes a bit of time, but it is to your advantage.
We live in a modern world and for various reasons you do need to have a cc. I have got 3, all low %. I don't really need them, never pay interest, but I have to look to the future where a time may come that I do need credit. -
Steve_in_The_City said:but I have to look to the future where a time may come that I do need credit.
Take cars. I have just sold my car for the same price that I paid for it two years ago.
Using credit to me is a sign of an inability to budget properly. -
Purrrrrrr said:2oldcodgers said:Steve_in_The_City said:but I have to look to the future where a time may come that I do need credit.
Take cars. I have just sold my car for the same price that I paid for it two years ago.
Using credit to me is a sign of an inability to budget properly.
CC, loans and anything on the never-never always had a bad rep with the old people and some still carry that on in today's world even though they would have been young back then.
Times have changed it's not the same anymore. Once again you need a good credit rating to do so many things these days. Even getting a job could depend on your credit rating.
Thank goodness that I am too old now to want or consider working for a living. I jumped ship when 60 (2009) with a promise made that I would never be beholden to any employer again. Doing voluntary work instead is fine - did that until earlier this year.
So as you see I have no need for credit of any type. -
I find myself convulsed with laughter!!!
-
I've never had a credit card but have an excellent credit score. Currently 993 out of 999. I know it's not the same as the rating the banks can see, but must be a fairly good indication?
I can't imagine ever being able to mortgage a property on benefits myself. Had enough trouble trying to rent a place since being on benefits. I do keep an eye out for forum threads about mortgages on benefits but haven't seen many so far.
Brightness
Categories
- All Categories
- 12.8K Start here and say hello!
- 6.5K Coffee lounge
- 32 Games room
- 422 Cost of living
- 4.4K Disability rights and campaigning
- 1.9K Research and opportunities
- 209 Community updates
- 9.1K Talk about your situation
- 2.1K Children, parents, and families
- 1.5K Work and employment
- 784 Education
- 1.6K Housing and independent living
- 1.4K Aids, adaptations, and equipment
- 608 Dating, sex, and relationships
- 370 Exercise and accessible facilities
- 756 Transport and travel
- 30.3K Talk about money
- 4.2K Benefits and financial support
- 5.1K Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- 16.3K PIP, DLA, and AA
- 4.6K Universal Credit (UC)
- 6.2K Talk about your impairment
- 1.8K Cerebral palsy
- 854 Chronic pain and pain management
- 156 Physical and neurological impairments
- 1.1K Autism and neurodiversity
- 1.2K Mental health and wellbeing
- 322 Sensory impairments
- 815 Rare, invisible, and undiagnosed conditions
Complete our feedback form and tell us how we can make the community better.
Do you need advice on your energy costs?
Scope’s Disability Energy Support service is open to any disabled household in England or Wales in which one or more disabled people live. You can get free advice from an expert adviser on managing energy debt, switching tariffs, contacting your supplier and more. Find out more information by visiting our
Disability Energy Support webpage.