Universal credit - pensioner

[universalpain]

Ok so I have a 'first commitments' interview next week, just curious if anyone who is one state pension has had to go to this?

I don't understand what the point of it is as surely I should have no work commitments but when I called I was just told 'it's part of the process' - are they seriously going to ask me to look for work at almost 70 years old?

Do you not get the state pension?

I found AgeUK very helpful and knowledgeable.

Yes I get state pension, that's why I am curious about what the appointment will entail.

I not sure Age uk is appropriate for UC advice but I might look it up

I think you just have to go along with it. I claim a little UC work full time, my employer overpaid one month and my wage went down the next as clawed it back so was called in for an interview. I tried explaining via a message left in the journal but they were very much you need to come in or no UC for you. So I went explained myself they moved me back to “light touch” which means no commitments beyond checking UC when they send a message.

I don’t disagree that it’s pointless box ticking exercise but if you want the money then you need to follow the process.

Just realised my typo in the OP which may have made it not read correctly.

I was asking if anyone ON state pension had experienced this when claiming UC

I'm confused!
Why did you claim UC if you are of state pension age? Do you have a partner?

Of course I have no issue doing it, it just seems utterly bizarre to me that they are talking about how large the benefit bill is then wasting money bringing people in for appointments regarding work when it's a tick box that they are not required to seek work. That made me wonder if they actually do want me to get a job

Yes I have a wife who is still under state pension age, she is not required to attend as she claimed carers allowance for our DC. I claimed it becsue that is what I was told to do for mixed age couples by the DWP.

I'd imagine they like to put a face to a name to ensure you're who you say you are and they're not dealing with a fraudulent claim. It's a bit humbling though, I'm sorry you're having to do this. I'm a bit ignorant as to the need for UC if on a state pension - what is it you're expecting help with? Rent or council tax support? I expect the "commitments" will only be as far as telling them straight away of you're situation changes, things like that.

I have already been to an ID check so they have my fave/name combo

I'm claiming UC on a state pension because I was told to by the DWP when my Tax Credits ended, that's the normal thing to do?

Thanks for all the input. Still hopeful someone who has been through this will come along...

I don't think it will be anything to worry about. Just procedure. But I hope you find someone who can tell you a bit more.

How long until your wife is if pension age? Can't you continue working til then rather than claiming benefits?

Why should they

I'm sorry, why should I do that?

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/universal-credit-if-youre-state-pension-age-and-get-a-migration-notice-letter

https://www.turn2us.org.uk/get-support/information-for-your-situation/universal-credit-uc/can-i-get-universal-credit-uc

Thanks we have read, and done, everything required. I just wondered if anyone knows what would happen at my appointment given I'm not of working age.

@universalpain because you obviously can't afford to support yourself otherwise?

Oh ok, do you say this to all UC claimants or did I just draw the short straw here?

I posted asking for help, not to be judged for claiming UC after working full time for 45 years.

MN really is the pits sometimes.

You won't have any work commitments as you are over State Pension Age. If you have already had an appointment to verify your ID I am not sure why you need to attend an appointment at the Job Centre.

Procedure is what they told me, makes no sense!

I'm not of retirement age, but I have had to attend this interview when they had already acknowledged that I had no work search related requirements to my claim (I had signed a contract, but security checks were taking months at the time and cash was running out... DP is too disabled to work, so UC claim but with neither of us expected to actively work search).

It was all pointless really, I said hello and confirmed what they already knew. They said it was lovely to meet me, that I didn't need to look for a job as I already knew. Then we both said goodbye. Waste of an afternoon for me and 10 minutes for them, but required by their system, apparently. Yours sounds likely to be the same.

They will just switch your commitments off during the meeting and apply a work group override that says "No work related requirements - State pension age"

It's nothing to worry about.

The system just doesn't manage mixed age couples in a fully automated way.

Not pension age but when I switched from TC to UC they had me go in for one or two pointless interviews too. It seems like a tick box exercise but even the person doing the interview said they didn't know why I was there. I was in and out in less than 5 minutes both times and they ticked something on my online account and I've never heard from them again (a year ago)

State pension is 222 a week, that will barely cover rent in a lot of places with one from the couple claiming it. Carers allowance is £80 a week. That's £300 a week to cover bills, rent, food and anything else.
His partner will be eligible for the carers element of universal credit, the pension will be treated as income and taken off the total. Maybe be grateful that they're caring for their disabled presumably adult child still rather than costing the state a huge amount more through care costs.

@universalpain you could ask on your journal whether it could be a phone call rather than face to face. Sometimes it just depends who you get as your work coach. It's probably bog standard procedure but work coaches can exercise a certain amount of discretion. Might be worth another try.