Have not spent time on the forum recently, had too many problems lurking.
Sadly my MS nurse, the lovely Lisa Black died of breast cancer in June last year, I was devastated, as I am sure many MS patients in Sussex were, she had a huge work load and never stopped running around caring for us all, going way beyond what was expected.
At the same time my private flat rental was increased by more than 15% - £800 for a one bed roomed flat, which although 3rd floor, has a lift, also a garage to store my mobility scooter. Although the flat is wonderful for me, I simply cannot afford private rental, so sadly my long and hard fought P.I.P. (Higher for Daily Living and Standard for Mobility) simply allows me to pay my rent without being in debt. Having moved from fully furnished to unfurnished, I managed to source loads of stuff from Charity shops and second hand. However for the first time in my life I took H.P. on a bed, washing machine and sofa bed for the lounge, (for a carer when necessary). I have never failed to pay my agreements on time, and whoopee in August the last will be paid off. I have had a credit card for years, but always paid the full amount owing each month, however when I moved I needed to pay 6 weeks deposit, plus a month up front on the new flat, and was also obliged to pay the old flat rental for three months, until the agent had found a new tenant. It took me 18 months to get my £2,000 deposit back on the old flat, as my partner was named lead tenant, and he sadly died on days after we moved in. So my card was bashed in order to buy second hand essentials. I monthly pay the maximum I have left, still struggling ti get it paid in full, as I am one of these old fashioned types who pay bills first then what I have left is for essentials. I have only had a cleaner in once every three months before the agents do a check on my flat. Carers are not possible, I wait until my son visits before I have a bath, in case I fall over.
Now is the time that I am receiving confirmation of the small increase in state pension and pension credit effective in April. I took the time to read all of the accompanied bumph, and looked up the Pension Credit Calculator, filled in all of the details, to find that I am entitled to £86.62 a week not £25.31 that they have been paying me. I am shortly to hear from a supervisor (about one month) to confirm my new amount. I an sure that this will not be backdated to April 2014 which is the date when I became entitled.
So fellow guys, who sadly like me need to depend on Pension Credit, if you are in receipt of P.I.P you too are entitled to an increase of over £60 a week. I am also entitled to claim a carers allowance, but I am going to let the euphoria of this one to sink in before I investigate Carers. I have the price list from local agencies, their rates are astronomical, but the quality of their staff not so good. I would be intimidated by any of those I met to allow them in my home.
Being Irish, I celebrated with a can of Draught Guinness last night, the best Saint Patrick’s ever.
Love to you all - I sincerely hope that this will encourage others to look. (gov.uk/pensioncreditcalculator)
Bye for now - Mary