Benefits question, older out of work person

[picklemewalnuts]

I've just started helping someone I don't know well with forms about benefits. Can anyone who knows the system give me a pointer?

He's on UC, and is expected to show that he's looking for work. He's 63 has sciatica, COPD and asthma. He's depressed and anxious. He's been sending in sick notes from the gp. He wants to know if he can effectively retire early.

He has no internet.

I can support him locally, get him a dinner dropped off, fill in forms for him.

I know nothing about benefits, pensions etc. We did a form about his mental health, and he'll have a phone call about that in three weeks.

Can anyone advise? What should he be doing, what should he expect? Where can I find him some telephone help, with benefit type questions?

In my experience mistakes are usually made by people who lack knowledge and can’t be bothered to look at the regs or don’t listen properly.

@BessieSurtees I'm not at all planning on doing anything myself, apart from reading things to him when asked. I do want to make some initial enquiries on his behalf, and the information shared here has helped hugely with knowing where to start, because he doesn't have the capacity at the moment to make several calls some of which will be non starters.

I'll be looking for someone with expertise who can guide him through the claims system by telephone or face to face. When I find the right people- as services seem to be offered by different people in different areas- I'll give him their number (or the other way around if he gives his permission).

Apart from anything else, the information generous spirited people have shared here will help me know what I'm reading about in his letters and what he tells me about in phone calls. Random pieces of information with no context are really hard to process.

Thank you all- with all your different experiences- for taking time to explain. When you are outside the system, it's a bit like a wordcloud. Familiar words all bundled in together, but hard to unpick the meaning!

I said my opinion was based on my experience with several so I was clear I wasn't necessarily commenting on ALL.

This is why you really should not do this yourself as @Graphista said. You will need access to his full personal finances and medical details and you hardly know him.

Thank you - that's exactly my point

they advise and challenge the decisions which are made by DWP, HMRC, JC+

Exactly - as I said, based on my own experience, they are better informed, proactive and assertive advocates - which is what we need.

just like any other employment. they’re not all great at their job. yep and as I said again based on own experience, some do more harm than good.

And actually not just my experience I've spoken to a number people who've had similar experiences.

I'm allowed my opinion on a service I have tried to use and which has failed me on several occasions.

Quick update- Ageuk have taken over supporting him re benefits, which is a big relief.
I'll stay in touch with him for other things.

👍