I'm 66 next year and currently on UC, LCWRA and PIP basic

Countrybumkin
Countrybumkin Online Community Member Posts: 2 Listener

Hello all, I hope you can help me. I'm very worried about my situation once I get to 66. I'm married, but my husband (60 next year) lives in a tiny studio and I in a tiny room in a flatshare, as our landlords don't allow couple. He works and doesn't get any benefits. We're on a waiting list for sheltered accomodation so we can live together. I'm currently in receipt of Universal Credit, LCWRA and PIP basic for every day living - they never gave me anything for mobility, which is a real issue. Because he's younger than me and will continue to work once we do live together, what will happen to me? My pension is estimated to be around £75 a week. Will I still get PIP? Will I be able to claim Pension Credit? I don't know how he'll manage to pay the rent and bills alone. I've heard we are considered a 'mixed age' couple but don't really understand it all. I wish I could work, but am too ill. Thanks a lot.

Comments

  • Jimm_Scope
    Jimm_Scope Posts: 5,409 Scope Online Community Specialist

    Hi @Countrybumkin, sorry to hear about the issues you're having with your landlords. It sounds a little horrible that they're being so restrictive.

    About your benefits, let's start with your PIP. PIP is not means-tested and so you will not lose anything. However, you mentioned that you think you should receive some mobility sections of PIP. How did your PIP application go? Did you appeal it at all, or was basic living rate the initial decision?

    As you are a mixed age couple you would need to make a joint Universal Credit claim, this will be means-tested against your joint incomes.

    You can check to see what you could be eligible for by using a benefits calculator and inputting information as if you were living together: Turn2us Benefits Calculator

  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 63,178 Championing

    @Jimm_Scope it will depend on the situation at the time they reach state pension age. If they are still not living together once they reach this age then their UC will end. They would be able to claim Pension Credit as a single person.

    Once they move back in with their husband their pension credit will end and they would need to claim UC as a mixed aged couple. Whether there will be any entitlement will depend on their joint circumstances.