You'll never guess what......this morning I received in the post a Pension Forecast, giving details of exactly what and when I will be getting! And the letter is dated last week, so it was produced before I had to go through all that trouble trying (unsuccessfully) to register on the Gov. Gateway thingy, and then downloading and sending off the form, thanks to 2 lovely readers. Honestly, you couldn't make it up could you?! So now I know!
As expected, I won't be getting the full pension amount as I haven't paid enough NI, but the amount I will be getting is a fair bit more than I was thinking I might get, so that's pleased me. My Carers Allowance will be stopped of course, but the pension amount is about £200 per 4 weeks more than I currently get on Carers. And, by the way, it still annoys the hell out of me that Carers Allowance is immediately stopped once I reach state pension age - it's not the money, it's the principle of the thing. We don't bloody well stop our caring role on becoming 66! And the Government/DWP would have a big shock coming to them if all us carers downed tools (as it were) and flatly refused to look after our loved ones once we reached pension age.
Husband and I have been chatting this morning and we've jointly decided to give those ready cooked frozen meals you can get delivered a go - for husband, not me. I'm thinking of companies like Wiltshire Farm Foods....if any of you have tried them or others and can give any recommendations (or ones to avoid!) I'd be pleased to hear your thoughts. It means husband can still have a nice cooked meal and I don't have to cook it! It doesn't have to be every day, he can still have a simple easy meal cooked by me a few times a week.....I just don't want to be slaving in the kitchen every day anymore. I am more than happy to just have a jacket spud with cheese & beans or tuna melt, or a salmon fillet with new potatoes and salad, or even a fish finger sarnie or, my current favourite, grilled halloumi and mushrooms on toast. We'll start off by getting 10 or so meals, then once he's tried them all we can decide to get more on a semi-regular basis. With Wiltshire Farm Foods it seems you don't have to make a regular order, you can just order as and when, you're not tied to a contract.
I tried Wiltshire foods but I wasn't impressed but maybe I'm fussy!
ReplyDeleteYou'd think they'd have the sense to tell you that your pension forecast will follow, wouldn't you! I'm with you on the unfairness of removing carer's allowance, but have you looked into applying for attendance allowance for your husband? Not as much money, but certainly worth having. There's a good explanation on the Age UK website.
ReplyDeleteHe does already get Attendance Allowance, thanks Jane.
DeleteOh, well at least you have finally got the forecast. You could have done without all the headaches, though!
ReplyDeleteWhen my Mum and Dad were alive, we ordered Wiltshire Farm Foods and Oakhouse meals for them. I remember my Mum enjoyed the cheese omelette and chips. I do recall the portions weren't huge. OK if you've got a small appetite, but if you want a hearty meal...
Another thing is freezer space, but if you're only ordering for the occasional meal, that shouldn't be a problem. I guess the only way to find out if it's for you is to give it a go. At least you can order what you want, when you want it, without a contract! xx
Cook us a great range, but I'm not sure if they deliver.
ReplyDeleteWe have ordered Wiltshire Farm meals and they come in different sizes to suit appetites. Meals are not too bad and they do offers now and again.
ReplyDeleteWe got them for my mother-in-law but the portions weren't huge.
ReplyDeleteWe tried them out with her and we didn't think they had a lot of taste but as you say they could be useful as a standby for times when you don't feel like cooking.
That's quite a reasonable pension forecast. I have paid a full stamp for 49 years and qualify for the full pension, which is forecasted to be a bit over £230 a week, so you have not lost too much.
ReplyDeleteMy Mum tried both Wiltshire Farm Foods and Oakhouse Foods, the small portions suited her, but to make them more filling you could serve them with a piece of bread and butter for your husband. When they got too 'samey' she would give them a break for a month or so and buy in a stack of M&S Mini Meals which gave her some tastier options. It sounds like a good idea for you to at least try them for your husband. Mum also tried a company with non-frozen, cupboard stable meals but she was very keen on them, sorry I don't know which company it was.
That should have read 'wasn't very keen on them'.
DeleteDon't assume you're not still eligible for Carer's Allowance just because you'll be receiving your state pension. For obvious (sneaky) reasons, DWP don't broadcast that dependant on how much state pension you receive, you may still be able to claim an element of CA. Google 'allowances for carers over, you're looking for what are called overlapping payments. If you're stuck, book a phone appointment with either Age UK or Citizens Advice. It's a loophole that hardly anyone knows about and yet many would be eligible for, particularly women of our generation because we earned less & had career breaks so tend to have less years in.
ReplyDeleteJust checked on Carers UK and you might qualify as you seem to be saying that your state pension will be less than your Carers Allowance. Here you go, contact details from their website: 0808 808 7777 from Monday to Friday, 9am – 6pm (including Bank Holidays).
ReplyDeleteIf you have a more complex query or would like more detailed guidance, we suggest you contact our email Helpline (advice@carersuk.org), as we’ll be able to provide more information.
No, bit of a misunderstanding I think as my state pension will be MORE than my CA, approx £200 more. And it was a financial advisor from Age UK who told me that my CA would stop upon receipt of my SP. But thank you for trying!
DeleteSorry, thought you were saying £200 less, me skim reading again. Always a problem with me.
DeleteNo worries, I know I do it too! It was really nice of you to try to help.
DeleteHave used both Oakhouse and Wiltshire Farm Foods, currently with WFF as Oakhouse local depot had a management change that disrupted service. Most meals are around 400gm for mains, but 'hearty' options available that are 20-25% larger. Some good options - salmon fillet is nice, basics like chicken & mushroom pie are quite tasty but maybe lacking in protein/chicken content.
ReplyDeleteFrom our experience with both, the local depot staffing can make a big difference, certainly the management change at Oakhouse caused significant problems, but the WFF drivers have always been good and fairly reliable on delivery timing, traffic conditions excepted.
My friend used to stock up on Marks and Spencer ready meals. I think she just popped them in her freezer on the day she bought them. She really enjoyed them.
ReplyDeleteGreat that your pension's been sorted however you could have done without the stress of it all.. My husband does all the cooking but we do have a frozen meal every now and then and add veg to them .
ReplyDeleteI hope the frozen meals work for your Hubby. Let us all know how that goes over, and like someone said serving them with bread and butter would make them a bit more hearty. Glad you now know what you are getting for your pension.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
I do like Cook's frozen meals, we had our entire Christmas Dinner from them. The only thing that wasn't to our liking were the shredded sprouts and leeks concoction.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.cookfood.net/menu/main-meals?srsltid=AfmBOorBYikbY0DBcKfXd8snb2WKOFqfh6snaA8tU6LyD7lH5jJ2wCHa
Glad you received your pension forecast and you are contented with it.