Everything

Hi folks,

I'm coming to the conclusion that I'm going to lose everything I have. My benefits, my home that I worked hard for to buy, due to the changes that might happen to the longterm sick and disabled.

Im not able to look for employment so I will probably end up homeless at some point. The government are not interested or care that they might put claimants into this position.

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Comments

JD_INCINERATOR

I know that no matter what the government does, it'll benefit some (mainly the rich) and compromise the working-classes and those who are on benefits. The problem is as a country we vote the same way, it's black or white, or of course in political voting's case Labour or Conservative. However, tomorrow's problems aren't happening today, so the best thing you can do for yourself is find a workaround and see what options are available. I wouldn't want anybody on these forums to surf through time and let the government's policies and laws dictate to them that their lives are going to get much harder. The defeatist mindset should be avoided though, so try not to see everything in a negative light, despite how daunting this may be to deal with.

I hope you find a positive way through all of this.

angieg28

Hi I thought with some benefits at least you wasn’t penalised in anyway for owning your own home? I receive lwrc and pip and own my home as you that I worked (when I could) to pay for. . Like I say I could be wrong I tend not to read the news or my anxiety would spiral . Take care

Ostia

Hi wendy1, the proposals have not been voted through and plenty of MPs will vote against them. There is no need to despair. Best to try to keep calm and wait and see next year. Charities such as Scope are on hand to help us through that time especially if we need to contest a decision.

Best wishes, A

Jellihead

@wendy1

The changes are not due till 2026. They may quite possibly do a U turn. Personally I think the media coverage on all of this is so intense that I would advise you not to look at any information online, or anywhere else. If you own your own home outright then no-one can take it away from you. Have you completed a TurnToUs form online? That will tell you how much you are entitled to right now.

There is a long way to go before 2026. There is little we can do about it apart from write to your local MPS, regardless of which party they belong to.

DianeJ200

Hi Wendy 1 I'm in the same situation I am working and I was receiving pip then I had it all stop and I am waiting for a court tribunal in which I have been waiting over a year and still waiting.

I am becoming very ill due to having no support with my home I live alone so I'm completely tiered out having to work full time.

My job are also trying to get me out of my job now so no support there either.

But because of my savings that I have saved for my pension that I only have 13 years to go I now have to live off so if I need to repair my home I won't be able to and no one seems to want to help also if I spend my savings on anything I would like I also get penalised.

So I'm trying my best and if they would of given that little bit of support that I should of been entitled to to help me to stay in my home maybe I would not of become so unwell.

But I to feel that there is no way I am also very scared.

I am trying to think of a job that I can continue in but I have no skills and I am not good at spelling or maths so if there is anyone reading this and you can help point me in the direction of a new career please help I'm in the Hampshire area or even employe me.

Thank Diane.

wendy1

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1021356#Comment_1021356

Hi Jellihead,

It doesn't matter if I own or dont own my house outright, I won't have the money to pay my bills, council tax etc etc.

I receive benefits the now.

DianeJ200

I know the home doesn't come into it I don't receive any benefits and I can't get any beffits I have to pay for all my own care needs out of my savings.

But I'm not going to be able to work for much longer because of my dissibilty is getting the better of me and I still can't get any help or support in my home.

I have to pay for help out of my savings.

Jellihead

@wendy1

If you received benefits due to a chronic illness or condition it is likely this will continue. Here is a benefit check that might give you some information and maybe options you did not know about?

https://www.gov.uk/check-benefits-financial-support

Hope this helps.

MCMikey

Hi. Hopefully your benefits will remain and in the eventuality they get to cut, not too drastically. There's still a lot of unknowns so try not to worry too much. In the meantime if possible before any cuts which might happen, try and save to have a cash buffer just in case to tide you over.

In your message it sounds like you've bought your house, perhaps outright. If this is the case you can take equity from that and if the amounts are small enough they may not affect your means tested benefits. One of my friends has done this twice, so just a thought (he's informed the DWP all the way through and they have oked it). This might sound unpalatable, but doing what you can now and planning for the future is in your control, whilst what the government does to benefits is not.

wendy1

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1021830#Comment_1021830

Hi Jellihead,

Thanks for your reply, but I think your wrong.

The new plans concern everyone on benefits no matter the circumstances that you receive benefits

wendy1

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1022095#Comment_1022095

Hi MCMikey,

Thank you for your reply. I hope so to that I still receive my benefits, but I suppose I will have to cope no matter what happens.

I can't believe there is such evil and heartless people in the world. Its really hard not to worry.

Yes, I've bought my house but still have a little bit of mortgage still to pay. That's why I said I will lose my home, I won't be able to pay my mortgage if my benefits are stopped.

The bank will take possession of my home.

MCMikey

Hi again. Don't forget before reading, this is a worst case scenario and potential plan if needs must to give you some comfort that you're less likely going to lose your home.

Quote from Aviva 'Equity release can be used by homeowners to pay off their mortgages early by untying tax free cash from their homes.' So let's say you had £16,000 to pay on your mortgage, you could in principle take a £20,000 equity release, pay your mortgage off and then have a small cash buffer for a rainy day or use it to do required improvements on your property perhaps. Equity release people actually like it when you want to do improvements to the property as your effectively increasing its value and protecting the risk on their loan (this applies more to a high value loan on a low value house). You have to be over 55, caveat not all properties will qualify (I imagine for example leasehold flats might not) and your mortgage would need to allow this. You need to explain what you are intending to do and why to the DWP and double check then treble check that they are ok with this and get that approval in writing that it's not going to unduly affect your benefits. Check the terms of the equity release, the interest rate, and calculate the amount of equity they'll take from the house in say 20, 30 or 40 years when it is sold (they will give you some figures) and presumably want to pass down the remaining equity to loved ones, remembering that the property value will almost certainly have increased considerably by then as well.

Another caveat, not everyone will get equity release - here's an extreme example - a surveyor will come and assess your property value and a solicitor might visit also. If your house is swimming in empty vodka bottles, you will not likely get the equity release. They want to ensure that your likely going to look after your property and it's going to retain its value (and they also have a duty of care that you're not just going to spend it on more vodka!). The same would apply if your house was full of old newspapers piled up to the ceiling and an obvious fire risk. I think you get the picture.

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