Benefits

Aw thanks-it’s so lovely when things work out isn’t it?
It won’t be easy for her-pretty much hand to mouth for now but at least she has enough income to cover her outgoings. I keep saying «when you stop driving» cos she’ll be much bettter off when she’s not running a car. A local son can collect her when she visits; she has a bus pass for shopping (frequent enough buses within sight of where she lives and they stop at supermarket) and she can always use the occasional taxi so all will be well. She doesn’t have any friends or interests so doesn’t need to be going hither and yon.

It’s great to see a group of people come together and help another, well done all pat on the back

I just wish GN would be part of that community and let us have a Benefits board. No money in it, I suppose.

Well I’m certainly grateful-I recognise that there’s always someone on here who truly knows about something and is willing to tell us!

If she is in social housing do they not have staff who assist with matters related to her tenancy etc?

She didn’t have to do that as she did an online calculation which showed she can get housing and council tax benefit. Fortunately she has some (small) savings as you can only apply-in her case when she retires-and the benefit is paid in arrears too but it will be ok after the first month. She is a shopaholic though and, as she has no friends or interests, her «outing» is to a shop so I’ve said there are quite a few free/cheap activities for us oldies she needs to find locally.

Thistlelass

If she is in social housing do they not have staff who assist with matters related to her tenancy etc?

Most HA have a team who will help you complete the relevant forms for you sister and they will send it in for her and monitor the progress they are very helpful indeed.
Also look for discounts for pensioners in regard to hairdressing/meals out they often come with discounts between 10-15% so well worth having.

DaisyAnne

I just wish GN would be part of that community and let us have a Benefits board. No money in it, I suppose.

I agree a separate board would be useful. We had one then it was shut down, but there are a lot of benefit enquiries on the Legal and pensions board.

How do we find out where the discounts for pensioners are? Especially shops, meals out etc.

They are often local. I expect AgeUK has a local list.