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Original poster

Pension credits behind. Can't afford glasses/ dentist

53 replies

JustBeGoodToMeToMe · 06/12/2024 17:59

So my ESA stopped a month ago when l turned 66. I will receive my first pension payment 20th December ( it's paid in arrears) ..so that's 6 weeks without any payment. I applied for pension credits at the same time. I am entitled to these but they are five months behind awarding and paying.
I need my award letter for the opticians and dentist .
My glasses have broke and my eye sight has changed but the optician needs to see my award letter for my vouchers so l can get free glasses.
I've rung and rung pension credits.. telling them this .. ( I'm wearing old glasses stuck together with super glue and they won't fold and really need newer lenses) . But all they will say it's being processed and they are behind.

OP posts:
NantesElephant · 11/12/2024 07:37

Growsomeballswoman · 11/12/2024 07:31

Could you contact your council. They might have a household support fund that will be able to help you

Came on to say this. Just google Household support fund and your local council’s name. Some, not all, are offering grants that you don’t have to pay back. You could at least get something to replace your glasses.

Nolegusta · 11/12/2024 08:02

JustBeGoodToMeToMe · 10/12/2024 11:29

Thankyou.
I didn't ask for a resolution.. but more to to let other people know who might have just turned a pensioner or about to become one..
( okay then a little moan).. it's not on.. already most of us have no winter fuel allowance.. l have gone from ESA to pension. ESA cuts you off on your 66th birthday.. pension is 4 weeks in arrears.. so that's 3 weeks with no money.. even if you have it paid weekly..it's also £80 per week less than Pension if you got the disability element.. so for three week we have no money and £80 a week less.. yet our out goings are still the same.. l checked all this before crossing over.. and no where does it tell you any of this.
So to go without glasses and dental care for five months just adds fuel to the fire.. plus struggling to pay energy bills.. ( £80 would cover it).

Show quote history

You could have replied like this when I asked you, but you chose not to. Still not sure why.

Soontobe60 · 11/12/2024 08:04

JustBeGoodToMeToMe · 10/12/2024 11:29

Thankyou.
I didn't ask for a resolution.. but more to to let other people know who might have just turned a pensioner or about to become one..
( okay then a little moan).. it's not on.. already most of us have no winter fuel allowance.. l have gone from ESA to pension. ESA cuts you off on your 66th birthday.. pension is 4 weeks in arrears.. so that's 3 weeks with no money.. even if you have it paid weekly..it's also £80 per week less than Pension if you got the disability element.. so for three week we have no money and £80 a week less.. yet our out goings are still the same.. l checked all this before crossing over.. and no where does it tell you any of this.
So to go without glasses and dental care for five months just adds fuel to the fire.. plus struggling to pay energy bills.. ( £80 would cover it).

Show quote history

Most people only visit the dentist annually, so your visit would have to wait. Energy companies wont cut you off if theres a delay in paying your bill - do you pay by DD on a fixed rate tariff? You'll have to manage with wearing broken glasses temporarily until the Pension Credit comes through I'm afraid unless someone can pay for the new spex for you.
Are there any local charities that have a relief fund for such emergencies? I know in my area, the group that manages our local food bank do have emergency funding that you'd be able to access.

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