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We want to hear from you: please tell us about your experience of the online community.

Hello, I am new here and in a bit of a pickle.

creamcrackered

Hi everyone, I hope you are all doing as good as you can be. My news won't come as anything new to some of you but I have been very let down by the benefits system. I'm 41 and diagnosed with ME/CFS. I am unable to work and my life is flipped upside down. I was at University full time when I fell unwell 4 years ago. I managed to finish my degree but then unable to continue my Masters I began to apply for benefits. I did not know that my NI wasn't credited while at Uni nor did I know that you have to have the last 2 years NI paid to gain ESA. I have 18yrs NI paid prior to this. I'm now left with a total income of £340 from PIP (ends next March so not guaranteed to continue). I'm luckly i moved in with my partner as he can cover the bills, mortgage etc but how do I get financial security for myself. If anything happens to my partner I'll have nothing to put towards rent or my own mortgage. Nor can I afford to pay into a pension so I can't even protect my future. How do I deal with this? Is there anything I can do to help my situation?

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Comments

JustPete

Hello @creamcrackered
It would be good to welcome you to this community, but it is hard to do so given the circumstances you have described. There will be other colleagues better versed than I in the Benefits system who will be able to give you more practical advice regarding your financial situation, both immediate and future. If you navigate through the categories, you will find a section 'Talk about money' where you may find more info.

I wanted to say that it is important to look after your mental health too. Being creamcrackered and in a pickle isn't a great combination, but at least it seems you have some support from at least your partner. I have found the people involved in this community to be extremely supportive and genuine, so rest assured you will always find a reassuring voice on here.

creamcrackered

Hi, thank you for your advice. I will take a look at the section you have mentioned. I look forward to being part of this community.

leeCal

Probably not helpful but you can usually buy old years missing of national insurance contributions to help safeguard your future pension. Something to consider when you’re in a better financial position perhaps.

It might help to check on turn to us or similar to see what benefits you might be entitled to, though I guess you’ve already done that.

Im sure others will have better ideas than me pretty soon. Good luck and best wishes. Stay positive 🙂

creamcrackered

@leeCal thank you for the info. I'm thinking of paying a couple of the lower amounts of NI that I have gaps for when I was unwell I'm hoping UC are covering me at the moment.
I will keep trying turn it in as I know things change hence why we can now get UC and couldn't the other year. Fingers crossed. Oh this is awful, but yes trying to keep my frown upside down 😅

leeCal

https://www.entitledto.co.uk/ Is another benefits calculator.

poppy123456

creamcrackered said:

@leeCal thank you for the info. I'm thinking of paying a couple of the lower amounts of NI that I have gaps for when I was unwell I'm hoping UC are covering me at the moment.
I will keep trying turn it in as I know things change hence why we can now get UC and couldn't the other year. Fingers crossed. Oh this is awful, but yes trying to keep my frown upside down 😅

In another thread you mentioned you were only 38. Just wanted to make sure that you're aware that if you pay missing years then these will only help towards your state pension, they will not be useful to claim a benefit such as New style ESA (unless you were self employed) then you can pay class 2.

As you have quite sometime yet before you reach state pension age, those missing years may not be needed by the time you reach that age you may have enough for full state pension. As you're claiming UC then you will automatically receive class 3, which will be towards your state pension.

Seems a little pointless to pay missing years if they won't be needed.

creamcrackered

@poppy123456 I was 38 when I got my degree, I'm 41 now. It was in 2018 when I fell unwell. I've just been given a diagnosis this month hence why this is all my concern now since I now know it's potentially no income for the rest of my life. I need to do what I can for myself.
I know about UC covering credits at class 3 and also about paying back NI to fill gaps which like you say isn't a worry but thanks for the info anyway. My pension issue is also answered on the other thread.
Thank you for your time.