State Pensioner told of two benefits to claim for as she can’t afford rent | Personal Finance | Finance


Amid the ongoing cost of living crisis, Jeremy Vine caller Samina from Surrey explained how her rent is over £1,000 a month which would not be covered by her pension of £7,000 a year. She said: “I’m a brand new pensioner. My pension just started in June and hopefully I’ll be getting £7,000 a year.

“I’m renting privately at about £1,000 and I can’t afford to live in a private house.

“I’m still working and earning about £10,000 a year so I really can’t afford my rent.

“I don’t qualify for any benefits, is there any help?”

Guest Emmanuel Asuquo explained: “You mentioned you don’t think you can qualify.

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“There is housing benefit and universal credit. Depending on your income, maybe whilst you’re working, you might not qualify but when you stop you might.

“What you need to do is to find out what benefits you might be able to claim.

“There’s a company called Incomemax and what they do is look at what benefits people are allowed to take out.

“Also when it comes to property, Shelter is another one that can help as well.

This could include ensuring they are claiming the benefits they are entitled to or making sure they get the best deals for services.

The charity is appealing for more funders to step forward to enable it to help more organisations and older people across the UK.

Simon Hewett-Avison, director of services at Independent Age, said: “The cost-of-living crisis is having a devastating impact on many older people who have no way to increase their income.

“As prices go up, and with inflation at an all-time high, more and more older people are being pushed into poverty or having to make impossible decisions about what to cut back on, because the extra money is simply not there.

“We cannot stand by as people struggle. The scale and speed of the crisis means we need to work together to widen the support options for older people.”



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