Pensioners' income, rent & state pension, etc.

[Sketchy]

Not at the age (yet!) to be a pensioner and my parents are both long gone - and this is just a general query - but if anyone knows, do pensioners (if living in privately rented accommodation) get help from the government to pay rent if they rely soley on the state pension? And the same question if they live in council-run properties?

I ask this because I've just read, from a reliable source, about an 82 yr old lady who can't afford food, and considering a roof over one's head/food/electricity and heating are the main priorities for survival, I was wondering if she had to pay a lot of her pension on rent (I'm assuming a lady of that age wouldn't still be paying any sort of mortgage).

We all know the prices of everything are rising like mad recently, and I think our pensioners are treated disgracefully and should be paid a lot more by way of state pension, especially if relying on that alone with no private pension, like a lot of older pensioners will probably be surviving on. I also know that older people often need the heating on even in the summer - our bones definitely get thinner as we age.

I think the state pension is around £180 per week, older pensioners not on the newer rate may get less than that amount but surely get topped up with pension credits?

So what's going wrong? Why is an 82 yr old lady going without food in this day and age because she can't afford to eat? Surely heating and electricity alone isn't taking up all of her pension money leaving no money for food. Which is why I'm wondering if paying rent is the problem?

 

[Caffeine Fiend]

There is Pension Credit where if your weekly income is below a certain amount as stated by the government you will get a top up. If you receive PIP/AA or underlying Carers Allowance this will increase the applicable amount.

This is a 'passport' benefit so if you receive it (guaranteed element) you will then be entitled to housing benefit/council tax relief/free dentist/glasses.

However if your income is above the applicable amount deemed by the Government (which btw isnt that much) you will receive nothing. They do not take into account your outgoings.

Its why imo the price of renting properties increasing and increasing is terrifying.

This shows how little the Government think a pensioner / s require which is nothing if you have full rent to pay.

 

[Peaches_xox]

Pensioners can claim housing benefit which can be claimed if you rent privately or live in council accommodation but it’s not uncommon for elderly people to be struggling. We always hear on the news every winter it’s a choice between heating & eating. It’s so important to pay into a private pension as young as possible, once you’re old the govt don’t give a tit

 

[Sketchy]

So if a pensioner not on PIP/AA, etc, (sorry, I don't know what AA means, I take it some sort of disability benefits?) means they still pay rent, even though on a basic state pension? Even if their rent is over £100 a week, which most are? Bloody scary!

 

[Caffeine Fiend]

So if a pensioner not on PIP/AA, etc, (sorry, I don't know what AA means, I take it some sort of disability benefits?) means they still pay rent, even though on a basic state pension? Even if their rent is over £100 a week, which most are? Bloody scary!

They can apply for Housing Benefit in its own merit but wont always get it, it depends on their overall income/circumstances.

However if they are low income, see my post above they can have their State Pension topped up with Pension Credit, once they are in receipt of Pension Credit they would automatically be entitled to Housing Benefit.

 

[Sketchy]

Pensioners can claim housing benefit which can be claimed if you rent privately or live in council accommodation but it’s not uncommon for elderly people to be struggling. We always hear on the news every winter it’s a choice between heating & eating. It’s so important to pay into a private pension as young as possible, once you’re old the govt don’t give a tit

You're right, they don't give a tit. But years ago women weren't able, or encouraged, to pay into a private pension I believe - in the 60s & 70s. This private pension is a good thing, but a recent thing. Years ago it was assumed your husband would 'keep' you in later years.

They can apply for Housing Benefit in its own merit but wont always get it, it depends on their overall income/circumstances.

However if they are low income, see my post above they can have their State Pension topped up with Pension Credit, once they are in receipt of Pension Credit they would automatically be entitled to Housing Benefit.

Ah. Good information. Thanks for that. Why aren't there more government organizations out there seeking out people who need help?* There must be an awful lot of older people out there whose lives could be made much easier if they knew where to go for financial help. There really should be a dedicated government body set up to seek out such people in need - that's the kind of government that would get my support.

*I already know the answer to that ... they don't give 2 flying ones.

 

[monga]

Not at the age (yet!) to be a pensioner and my parents are both long gone - and this is just a general query - but if anyone knows, do pensioners (if living in privately rented accommodation) get help from the government to pay rent if they rely soley on the state pension? And the same question if they live in council-run properties?

I ask this because I've just read, from a reliable source, about an 82 yr old lady who can't afford food, and considering a roof over one's head/food/electricity and heating are the main priorities for survival, I was wondering if she had to pay a lot of her pension on rent (I'm assuming a lady of that age wouldn't still be paying any sort of mortgage).

We all know the prices of everything are rising like mad recently, and I think our pensioners are treated disgracefully and should be paid a lot more by way of state pension, especially if relying on that alone with no private pension, like a lot of older pensioners will probably be surviving on. I also know that older people often need the heating on even in the summer - our bones definitely get thinner as we age.

I think the state pension is around £180 per week, older pensioners not on the newer rate may get less than that amount but surely get topped up with pension credits?

So what's going wrong? Why is an 82 yr old lady going without food in this day and age because she can't afford to eat? Surely heating and electricity alone isn't taking up all of her pension money leaving no money for food. Which is why I'm wondering if paying rent is the problem?

If she has a private pension that amounts to more than £50 per week then she will lose out on certain benefits , but I'd assume a lady of her years would be on some sort of disability benefit due to frailty .

Pensioners can claim housing benefit which can be claimed if you rent privately or live in council accommodation but it’s not uncommon for elderly people to be struggling. We always hear on the news every winter it’s a choice between heating & eating. It’s so important to pay into a private pension as young as possible, once you’re old the govt don’t give a tit

TBH it's not worth paying into a private pension unless you have a large pot of savings to fall back on you get no state help ,where as people that never worked get everything free .

So if a pensioner not on PIP/AA, etc, (sorry, I don't know what AA means, I take it some sort of disability benefits?) means they still pay rent, even though on a basic state pension? Even if their rent is over £100 a week, which most are? Bloody scary!

Attendance Allowance you can't claim DLA if you're over 65 ( now replaced by PIP )

 

[Saddlesoap]

TBH it's not worth paying into a private pension unless you have a large pot of savings to fall back on you get no state help ,where as people that never worked get everything free .

Is a workplace pension a private pension? Honestly all goes over my head!
I think I'm gonna live on a cruise ship

 

[monga]

You're right, they don't give a tit. But years ago women weren't able, or encouraged, to pay into a private pension I believe - in the 60s & 70s. This private pension is a good thing, but a recent thing. Years ago it was assumed your husband would 'keep' you in later years.



Ah. Good information. Thanks for that. Why aren't there more government organizations out there seeking out people who need help?* There must be an awful lot of older people out there whose lives could be made much easier if they knew where to go for financial help. There really should be a dedicated government body set up to seek out such people in need - that's the kind of government that would get my support.

*I already know the answer to that ... they don't give 2 flying ones.

There is ,there's benefit advisors that target those of pensionable age to make sure they're getting all they're entitled to ,be that through the post or phone calls ,if they need residential care their social worker will sort out their benefits and charges for them .

Is a workplace pension a private pension? Honestly all goes over my head!
I think I'm gonna live on a cruise ship

Yes it is .