Ill Health Retirement.

worried2812

Worried 2812.
Hi All, up until January 2020 i had worked full time (37 hr wk) from age 17, until i was forced to take early retirement on the grounds of ill health. I have never been unemployed, or claimed any form of benefit. The rules governing my ill health retirement Pension state i am not allowed to undertake any form of paid work, even therapeutic earnings are forbidden.  Presently i am registered as Partially sighted,  claiming PIP and have been awarded the enhanced rate of the care component and the mobility component. I do not claim any other benefits, but do have entitlement to free prescriptions, and a disabled persons bus pass. i live with my partner in our own house which has a small outstanding mortgage on it. My partner works full time (40 hrs wk) in a retail store, minimum wage and he does not claim any form of benefits, and we pay full council tax. . Financially between us we are just about keeping our heads above water, but things are tight and i am concerned like many others about rising energy bills, and how we are going to meet the increases. My  income monthly is around £1850 including my PIP award. PIP can be reviewed at any time, and withdrawn if they decide i no longer  meet the criteria to claim it, so i'm not sure if it should be included as it is not a reliable source of income. I did not anticipate being retired at this age as i am only 60 and should have worked at least another 7 years. My pension is small £1220, and without PIP i would not be able to manage. I have small savings £7000 which came from my retirement lump sum. I am beginning to worry about  my financial future and how we are going to manage. Any help or suggestions would be very much appreciated, and my apologies for the long winded text above. As i am new to this could abbreviations be avoided as i do not know what they mean (apart from PIP, Esa, Wtc,) 
Many thanks.

poppy123456

As mentioned in your other thread. To be entitled to New style ESA you will need to have paid the correct amount of NI contributions in the previous 2 tax years... April 2019 to March 2021. As you haven't worked since 2020 then you may not qualify.

However, even if you do qualify because your pension is £1,220 per month (£281per week) then there will be no entitlement to the ESA unless placed into the Support Group and even then it will only be a very small amount each week (around £20), after week 14 of your claim.

The only other benefit would be Universal Credit and because this is means tested and you live with a partner then you will need to claim as a couple. Your pension will reduce your entitlement £1 for £1 and with your partner working full time hours, there would be no entitlement to UC.

It's also unlikely that there will be any entitlement to Council Tax reduction.

I know you say you are struggling financially but if you didn't have your pension, then you would be worse off by claiming benefits because your monthly income would be considerably less.

Edit to add, you will receive the £400 grant for your energy which will be added to your energy account over a 6 month period from October. You will also receive an extra £150 cost of living payment in September because you're claiming PIP.

worried2812

Poppy123456 thank you for your reply and information. I'm not really expecting a major cash windfall from the government, i just want to ensure i am claiming all i am allowed to. 

L_Volunteer

You are welcome @worried2812. It is the very least you deserve. We can hear how you just wish to ensure you are claiming all you are allowed to. If we can do anything else to support you, please don't hesitate to let us know 

poppy123456

You can check your NI record here https://www.gov.uk/check-national-insurance-record
See link regarding New style ESA https://www.gov.uk/guidance/new-style-employment-and-support-allowance
Even if you don’t have the correct NI contributions if you need the credits towards your state pension you can claim the ESA for these and if you’re found to have limited capability for work then the NI credits would be paid.
You will still need to go through the work capability assessment process.

worried2812

Hi Poppy123456, i have checked and now know i have no missing N/I payments so i have applied for new style ESA, but can only do so from the last three months, not 2020 when i retired. I am not confident i will be eligible to receive anything but i have nothing to loose. Once again thank you for taking the time to help me, 

poppy123456

You need to make sure you declare your pension. You will also need a fit note from your GP.