Section 2:

Money - Pensions - Work - Benefits

I’m worried about money. Who can I speak to?
I’m struggling to pay the bills
I’m worried about my pension. Who can I speak to?
My state pension isn’t enough to pay my bills. What can I do?
What happens to my pension after I die?
What are the common benefits people claim?
What happens to benefits if you go into hospital or a care home?
Where can I get benefits advice?
I am worried about my job. What can I do?

I’m worried about money. Who can I speak to?

We know this is a difficult time to worry about money. But there are groups out there to help you. Different groups can help you with different things:

MoneyHelper can give you advice for anything to do with money. It is a free service backed by the government. It is confidential, so no one will know you have been in touch with them. There is plenty of useful information on the MoneyHelper website or you can get in touch with them.
The government website also has guidance for cost of living support. There is a general guide and a guide for people living with a disability or health condition.
MoneyHelper can help you find a free debt adviser near you. You will be able to talk to them online, in person, or over the phone. It is confidential, so no one else will know you have been in touch with them.
You find out more on the MoneyHelper debt advice website.
There are other similar services offering free, confidential, debt advice. This government page can help you find debt advice and support.

I’m struggling to pay the bills

We know it costs more to be ill or disabled. You may be able to get some help with bills. Your local council may help you pay for essentials, like energy bills and food, with their Household Support Fund. You can find out more here.

MoneyHelper has a guide to explain what you can do if you’re struggling with common household bills.

There’s more information about specific costs below.

Home fuel, like gas or electric, can be expensive. This can make it hard to keep the house warm, or make food and hot drinks.
National Energy Action has useful advice about what to do if you’re struggling with your energy bills. There’s lots of information on their website and you can get in touch with an advisor.
Marie Curie has advice about how to cope with energy bills here. You can even speak to one of their Energy Support Officers.
If you can’t afford food regularly, you might need support from a food bank. You’ll need a food bank voucher, but there are lots of places to get them. You can find out more on The Trussell Trust website. Their website can also help you find a food bank near you.
Many communities set up their own foodbanks. So, it is also worth asking about foodbanks around your local area.
You can get cheaper broadband and phone packages if you’re on certain benefits. These are called social tariffs. You can find out more about social tariffs on the OFCOM website here.
People with low income or on certain benefits may be able to get cheaper water bills. This information from Citizens Advice will tell you more.
You might be able to get benefits. We have more details in the ‘Where can I get benefits advice?’ and the ‘My state pension isn’t enough to pay my bills. What can I do?’ sections below.

I’m worried about my pension. Who can I speak to?

If you are 50 or over, Pension Wise have free pension appointments. Pension Wise is part of MoneyHelper - a free service backed by the government. They can give you advice to help you get the most from your pension. You can find out more on the Pension Wise website.
You find out more in the ‘What happens to my pension after I die?’ section below.

The government has extra money for people who are on a low income and over state pension age. The most important thing to look at is called Pension Credit. You can find out more about Pension Credit on the Government website.
Pension Credit is important because it tops up your income and unlocks other benefits. With Pension Credit, you may also get:
- housing benefit
- council tax support
- cost of living payments
- a free TV licence
- other benefits (see ‘What are the common benefits people claim?’ section below)

What happens to my pension after i die?

Most people can't pass on their State Pension when they die. However, in some cases, a husband, wife, or civil partner may be able to inherit part of their partner’s State Pension.
If you have a workplace or private pension, what happens to the money when you die depends on the type of pension you have.

There’s more information about what happens to a pension after someone dies here.

If you have a workplace or private pension, you may be able to choose someone to get the rest of your pension after you die. We call this person a pension beneficiary.
It’s up to you to make sure your pension provider knows who you have chosen. Check with them if you’re not sure. You may need to complete a nomination, or expression of wishes form.
There’s more information about beneficiaries on the Money Helper website.
You may need to tell a private pension plan provider after a loved one has died. If you do, it is important to tell them as soon as possible. Telling them sooner, will make it simpler.
Most people tell their pension provider by phone or in writing. You’ll need to give them key information. That includes the deceased's:
- name
- date of birth
- national insurance number
- a copy of the death certificate
Letting them know this information as soon as possible helps everything get sorted sooner. In the end, that means less stress for you.

What are the common benefits people claim?

There are different kinds of benefits to help you. What you can get depends on your personal circumstances. On their website, MoneyHelper have a great guide to benefits. We also have some details below:

These benefits are for people who are on a low income or meet certain criteria.
Universal Credit
This is a government benefit to help with living costs. You can apply online using the Government website. If you need a bit more information first, try their how to claim guide.
Support with housing costs
If you’re struggling to pay rent, Universal Credit or Housing Benefit may help with housing costs. But this will depend on your circumstances. If you have a mortgage and you’re struggling to pay it, you may be entitled to help from the Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI) scheme. You can check the MoneyHelper Benefits Calculator to find out what you are entitled to. There’s more information about help with housing costs here.
Council Tax Support
This can help you pay less council tax if you are on a low income. Apply through your local council.
Discretionary Support
Some local councils can help in emergencies. We call these discretionary funds. Ask your local council for more information.
Help paying for a funeral
If you get certain benefits, you may get help with funeral costs. Find out more about help with funeral costs on the Government website here.
MoneyHelper has a guide to illness and disability benefits. You can find out more on the MoneyHelper website.
Personal Independence Payment (PIP) - This is for people under state pension age. It is there if you need help with day to day tasks or getting around.
Employment and Support Allowance is for people under state pension age with an illness or disability which affects how much they can work. There’s more here.
Attendance Allowance - This is for people over state pension age. It is there if you need help with personal care because of illness or disability.
Benefits for Carers - Carers can also get benefits for their caring role. You can find out more on the MoneyHelper website.
Bereavement Support Payment - If your partner has died, you may be able to claim Bereavement Support Benefit. You can find out more about this, and who can claim, at: Age UK - Bereavement Support Payment

If you, or someone you care for, goes into hospital for a night or more, you need to tell any benefits services you use. It’s important you do this, as your benefit could be cut, or stopped, if you don’t.
There’s information about who to tell here: Going into hospital if you get benefits (GOV.UK).
If you, or someone you care for, goes into a care home for a night or more, you need to tell any benefits services you use. Some benefits change, or stop, when someone goes into a care home. But you may still be able to claim some benefits.
You can find more information here: Going into a care home if you get benefits (GOV.UK).

Where can I get benefits advice?

Help is out there. You can try speaking to local benefits advisers or looking online. We list some services which can help in our ‘Finding Help’ section.

Advicelocal.uk can help you find local benefits advisers. These advisers can tell you about the benefits you can get and where to find them. You can find out more on the Advicelocal.uk website.
Other ways to get help in person might be through your council, Citizens Advice, local groups such as carer groups, or social prescribers. There’s more information on these here.
MoneyHelper has a guide to benefits here. You can also check which benefits you might be able to get with the MoneyHelper Benefits Calculator.
You’ll find more links to advice about specific benefits in the sections above.

In the UK, people with medical conditions have special legal rights. Some of these make sure they are treated fairly in work.
Advicenow gives information about your legal rights in employment here.
Acas has lots of useful advice if you are having problems in your job. For advice about your rights, try the Acas website or you can get in touch with them.
This government webpage offers information about benefits if you’re temporarily unable to work due to illness.
If the illness is terminal, you might like to read this guide by Marie Curie.
Some people also choose to look for legal advice from a solicitor.
As a carer, you have legal rights while at work. To help you understand your rights, take a look at this Carers UK factsheet.
You may also like to watch this video by Carers First.
If you need advice about your rights, try the Acas website or contact the Acas helpline.