AIBU to worry about how I'll manage financially when I'm older?

The current full UK state pension is approx £12k, so 1k a month

If you rent you would get this paid

If you dont get the full pension, you can apply for Pension credit, which comes with some extras like free TV licence & some other discounts

If you claim PIP that will continue or you can claim attendance allowance

Free bus pass

Discounts on various other things

Use this time. Like others have said, give PIP ago again. Also, doublecheck there really are no benefits you're entitled to.

Up until retirement, could DH do another job? Also, even though he retires from working fulltime - he might be able to continue working a few hours a week for extra. Admittedly, mine was younger, but he's done a couple of bar jobs over the years - one was the same time every week, the other was flexible each week and worked around his shifts. If you can live on what you've already got, then it could be saved. Also, one you get your pension, that could be saved.

I agree, the OP has secured housing and will be entitled to a raft of benefits.

If her husband was in his 60’s I would agree but he’s 51 and potentially has a lot of time to build up an OK pension plot. Additionally none of us know what the future holds so I don’t think anyone in their 50s or younger should rely on Pension Credit being around when they’re pensioners, or it may be around then but eligibility will be tougher than what it is now.

You don’t understand chronic and debilitating conditions. People with conditions such as RA tend to not have a couple of really bad days then the rest are perfectly normal, feel great full of life, no pain or tiredness just like a ‘normal’ person. It’s days which have pain and tiredness and can’t do a lot just better than the worst day.

My dd has a chronic illness, on her worst days she is bedridden and sleeps around the clock.
On her better days she can get up but her capabilities look nothing like a normal life, it’s just better than her worst day.
And that ‘good’ day where she can do more has repercussions where she will be in bed for days if she does too much.

It’s easy to think that someone having a good day feels just like you do on a normal day therefore their pip claim is fraudulent but good days for a person with a chronic illness is probably like you feeling unwell with a virus but you can still get up and make a cup of tea or brush your teeth or make a sandwich but you’re not fit for much else as you feel like shit

Yes, this I the correct course of action. OP, you need a full benefit check and someone to help you with your PIP application (which you do need to make, even though it’s a bit dispiriting). I’m sure you’re not receiving everything you’re entitled to but you do need to be proactive about this. I also wonder if there’s some kind of online work you could be doing, perhaps selling on eBay, etc.

Haven't RTFT but just to say that this site suggests that claims for Rheumatoid Arthritis have a success rate of 72.19%. This is one of the higher rates so you'd be likely to get it.

When you do a Pop application you are meant to answer the questions with your worst day possible in mind.

It's fraud to only mention bad days

OP, get some advice & support with filling out the application from Citizens Advice (or similar service).

Then you won't have to feel worried about being "fraudulent" and will be wording it the right way for best chance of getting it.

You can't work, you deserve the help.

I live in Stoke-on-Trent and the majority of people here earn a full time wage of 30k or less and don't qualify for any top ups from the state.

No, a PIP award doesn't count towards NI contributions. Only an out-of-work benefit will do that.

Have a look at the benefits and work website for advice about pip. You should definitely try applying again. I know it’s a humiliating process, but it will make a big difference financially so it’s worth doing. I have a different type of inflammatory arthritis to RA so I understand how tough it is.

You have to send loads of evidence and explanations of how unwell you are on your worst days. During my face to face assessment I told the assessor I was in pain and pointed to where it hurt. He was also treated to a view of my wonky toes when I said I couldn’t get my shoes on that day and was wearing slippers instead of shoes.

Be careful of advising this.
Husband could pay out to get a very modest pension and it could just be enough to make him lose a host of other benefits. So taking your advice could cost them dear

Telling them what you are like on your worst days is exactly what you must do.

‘Tried to do better’? Did you miss the whole paragraph or so where OP talked about her rheumatoid arthritis? Do you know anything about the condition or how incapacitating it can be?

Your post contains literally nothing constructive or helpful to OP. Why did you even bother posting?

Why come on here to put the boot in?

Even the median at ops husbands age is £42k. Thats £12k more a year, even after tax & NI its £700 quid more a month, enough for £200 each in a pension (plus theyd get tax relief so its worth more) and £300 extra for a more comfortable life. Its really important that people understand if their pay is low & that they might do better to look for different work to improve it.

I would be scared too - you have been on the breadline for decades. I don't know how you have survived so long on one income that is barely above minimum wage, with nothing left for savings or holidays or anything that might help your son, and let that continue until the age of 56. I'm sorry OP but what a mess. You both should have tried to do better for the sake of your son.

Just so you know, PIP rules are that if you can’t do something reliably, safely or it takes you twice as long to do something,( eg, cooking, bathing etc) for more than 50% of the week, for pip purposes you are not able to do it and should get full points. Please read up on the pip rules. You may be surprised and find you do in fact qualify xxx

You definitely need to reapply for PIP. If you're getting it before pension age, it continues afterwards. You're entitled to it.
However, and this will sound off, and no doubt I'll get a roasting for it, BUT, the PIP examiners will find any way they can to not allow it. It's wrong, but there you go. RA is awful, that's for sure. You MUST tell them what you're like on your worst days. It's no good telling them that you can do this and that on a good day, because they'll immediately take that as you can do it, full stop. It's not lying. You simply cannot guarantee to do the stuff they said you could, safely, repeatedly and reliably. Please get advice - there are PIP groups on Facebook.
I know it's demeaning, almost as if you're begging, but remember, you are entitled to that help. Also, if you need extra things to help around the house such as something to help open jars, etc, or even, if things get really bad, walking aids. None of these things come cheap, and PIP can be a godsend. I wish you strength, and good luck.

I'm assuming you are probably on methotrexate? Changing to injections instead of tablets may help with the side effects. You really need to let your rheumatologist know how much you are suffering. There are so many new treatments nowadays that are really life changing. I work full time with RA & always have. It is definitely possible with the correct treatment & support. You should ask about biologics - these have been incredible for me. Good luck!

We've gone into shared ownership apartments. One side is rented. They are warm and the utility bills are low. If they are/become available in the future, I'd seriously think about moving. The HA will help with the transfer. So in terms if housing costs, that would be a help.
I'd reapply for PIP, as said. Take away rent and other things tbh you aren't necessarily going to be on much less than you are now. Your DS is going to be a full adult. Then there's attendance allowance.

I would look at paying voluntary NI contributions - it's a much lower rate than people in work pay and it might help you get a full state pension.

I think you need to reapply for benefits and continue to look for work that suits you, flexible, home based perhaps? Then DH opts back into pension asap, benefitting from tax relief and employer contributions.
My main point though is that you are used to living on a low income so if you can get 2 x full new SP, you won't be too uncomfortable. If you can top up with savings from the next 10 years, you should be ok.