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Original poster

Universal Credit application when nearly state pension age?

33 replies

Bridget57 · 19/08/2025 14:45

A friend of mine and her dh are experiencing some financial difficulties. He is about 8 months off state pension age, she is a few years younger than him but they both plan to survive off his state pension and a very small private pension when he turns 66. Would it be worth them making a claim for universal credit, even if it was just for a few months. They did claim it as a couple a few years ago but stopped the claim when they received a small inheritance which they have been living off and had hoped it would last them until he was in receipt of state pension. However, the money has nearly run out and they will struggle to get through the next few months. If they were to make a claim for UC for just a few months, would they be forced to find work by a work coach, even if they intended to end their claim after a few months? He has a history of mental health issues and she is his unpaid carer so neither would want to have to look for work. He was previously in receipt of PIP and she received carer's allowance but his PIP was refused at review and neither of them has the strength to apply for it again so, unfortunately, both PIP and Carers Allowance payments stopped, hence them running out of money sooner than expected. Would a work coach take this into consideration?

OP posts:
Bjorkdidit · 20/08/2025 08:44

Unless the DH needs 24 hour supervision and care, I don't see why she can't work. There's very simple factory work available via agencies, which have a low bar to entry. She could look into that.

Wellbeing24 · 16/12/2025 07:13

Bridget57 · 19/08/2025 23:17

Thanks so much for all the replies. My friend cannot claim carers allowance as her dh is not currently in receipt of PIP. He will claim Attendance Allowance when he gets to state pension age but it's the next few months they need financial help for to help them survive until he is in receipt of state pension. That's why I suggested claiming UC but they are both worried they will be made to seek work for the few months they are on it. He wouldn't mentally be able to cope with interviews etc and, even though PIP was refused this time on review and she can no longer get carers allowance, she still cares for him full time and searching for and holding down a job would be very difficult for her.

OP, may I ask if they are appealing the negative PIP decision?
If not, I would strongly recommend they do so, there is a time limit to challenge the decision of one year and one month. Please encourage them to get some expert advice from local Citizens Advice or any independent welfare rights organisation.
If the PIP decision is changed, then Carers Allowance will be reinstated as well.

LilyBunch25 · 16/12/2025 18:17

Bridget57 · 19/08/2025 14:59

Thank you for the reply. They own their own small home outright. The private pension will be approx £110 per month which they will add to his state pension and hope it will be enough to live off. I have tried to research universal credit information online for them but have got very confused. I thought that if it was a joint UC claim it would end once he starts to receive state pension?

They will remain on UC as a mixed age couple until both are SP age.

LilyBunch25 · 16/12/2025 18:20

Wellbeing24 · 16/12/2025 07:13

OP, may I ask if they are appealing the negative PIP decision?
If not, I would strongly recommend they do so, there is a time limit to challenge the decision of one year and one month. Please encourage them to get some expert advice from local Citizens Advice or any independent welfare rights organisation.
If the PIP decision is changed, then Carers Allowance will be reinstated as well.

Show quote history

Definitely agree with this. See a benefits adviser ASAP (its what I do as a job and majority of my current caseload is appeals) If within 13 months of date of decision, a Mandatory Reconsideration can still be done and an appeal then if the MR unsuccessful. Also a successful PIP award now would be converted to an ongoing award at SP age. After that its Attendance Allowance which has no mobility component.

LadyLapsang · 16/12/2025 19:25

Could the wife look for care work given she has experience of bring a carer? Has she checked her NI records to ensure she is fully paid up for her state pension when she reaches age 67; if not, a few years work, even part time, may help. She needs to remember that if her husband predeceases her she will not inherit a state pension from him as very elderly women did in the past.

LilyBunch25 · 16/12/2025 21:37

LadyLapsang · 16/12/2025 19:25

Could the wife look for care work given she has experience of bring a carer? Has she checked her NI records to ensure she is fully paid up for her state pension when she reaches age 67; if not, a few years work, even part time, may help. She needs to remember that if her husband predeceases her she will not inherit a state pension from him as very elderly women did in the past.

Carers Allowance would previously have given class 1 NI credits, and there can still be some transition from spousal state pension accrued. There is also bereavement support payment. Full NI credits can be checked and a state pension forecast given online, with support from an advice service if required. And given that the ongoing care need at home still exists, there may not be scope for outside work depending upon the husband's level of need. The PIP situation is pressing, for multiple reasons, and a benefits adviser is the best way forward.

G0ldC01nTreasure · 21/12/2025 12:34

Each individual person should check this
It will show the age that you will receive & an estimated amount to be paid

https://www.gov.uk/check-state-pension

Check your State Pension forecast

Find out how much State Pension you could get (your forecast), when you could get it and how you could increase it

https://www.gov.uk/check-state-pension

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