It’s really important to stay fit and active as you get older, not least because it can stop you becoming overweight as well as reducing the risk of getting a number of different health conditions and chronic diseases. However, keeping fit when you are entering your later years is not always easy as your body […]

Getting back into work is something some seniors find difficult to achieve. Employers often have some outdated ideas about what older applicants may be capable of. They may worry that older workers will be overqualified, stuck in their ways or that their skills may be outdated. Unfortunately, ageism definitely exists in the world of work […]

It has been estimated that up to £20 billion of welfare benefits go unclaimed every year in the UK. This is money that individual’s and their families are entitled to but for whatever reason are not claiming. Our guide (which has been updated for 2018) will help you find out what you could be eligible […]

If you are getting older and find coping with the bills a struggle, the government may step into give you a helping hand with a range of benefits. A lot of older people don’t claim money they are entitled to because they are too proud to ask or do not know the money is there for […]

Benefit sanctions are financial penalties imposed on claimants who do not fulfil the requisite commitments related to the benefits they are claiming. This can include missing appointments, interviews or meetings. If you find yourself being sanctioned your benefit (s) payments will either be reduced or stopped completely. Which benefits can be sanctioned? Benefit sanctions can […]

There is a network of local food banks that are administered by the Trussell Trust, a UK registered charity . Visit their Food Bank Finder tool to find your local food bank. You should note that in order to collect food you will need to have been referred to the food bank and have been […]

If you have been awarded a benefit but have yet to receive the first payment then you could apply for an advance to tie you over financially . Basic eligibility You can only claim a benefit advance if you are in receipt of the following benefits… Jobseeker’s Allowance Pension Credit State Pension Income Support Carer’s […]

If your benefits have not been paid you could apply for a hardship payment, which applies to Job Seekers Allowance, Employment And Support Allowance and Universal Credit. You must be able to prove you are facing financial hardship. Unless you are classed as being in a “vulnerable grouping” you will not receive a hardship payment […]

Guardians Allowance is a non-means tested benefit available to those who look after a child who they are not the mother or father of. Basic eligibility If you’re responsible for a child who is not your own and either of the child’s parent have died OR they are unable to look after them you could […]

Support For Mortgage Interest (SMI) is a benefit available to owner-occupiers to help with housing costs such as mortgage interest and other home loans or repair bills. However from April 2018 it is being abolished and replaced with a loan system that will affect current and new claimants. The new system will mean loans have […]