Editha

I'm a puzzled by the OP's statement that his mother has 'never worked'. Does he mean never worked anywhere, or only never worked in the USA? She was already over retirement age when she emigrated to the US, but what had she been doing in the UK for the previous fifty years? It is not impossible for a woman to go through her whole life without working, but it is extremely unusual.

If she did work in the UK, then she'll have a NI record and be entitled to a state pension. What is more, if she has never claimed the pension, by now it will have increased in value by 177%.

Helen1964

I could be wrong but isn't there a rule now whereby you must have ten years' worth of NI contributions to claim a UK state pension?
Not sure what the situation is as regards the lady's eligibility for Pension Credit.

Editha

Yes, women born before 1950 need 10 years. That does not apply to Pension Credit, which is a purely means tested benefit.

But, she might also be entitled to a pension based on her husband's contributions. The OP says she is already receiving a small UK pension, so that could be a state pension. If not, she should enquire about whether she is entitled:https://www.gov.uk/check-state-pension

nun

If she has a UK NIC record she can use that to qualify of US SS and Medicare. The SS benefit would be zero unless she had US FICA payments.....but it might be a route to qualifying for Medicare without having to pay the full premium.

plasticcanuck

I suspect your brother in UK is not providing much help because when/if your mother returns most responsibility for her day-to-day living will fall on his shoulders, providing he's willing to accept that task.

Pulaski

And having a "roof over head" is going to knock her well down the housing waiting list behind those who don't have that luxury.

Editha

is she planning to live in Manchester, and is that where her son is? If so, this link might be helpful: Look for a home | Look for a home | Manchester City Council

JC3

Hi RNH,
Just a thought…
I don’t know whether your Mum worked in the UK, and/or whether you and your brothers grew up in the UK and your Mum claimed Child Benefit.
The UK State Pension is based on the number of ‘qualifying years’ you build up during your working life, when you earn enough to pay National Insurance Contributions (NICs).
If you’re at home looking after children, or you’re a working parent who doesn’t earn enough to pay National Insurance contributions (NICs), your pension could suffer. However there’s a scheme to protect your State Pension called Home Responsibilities Protection (HRP) that can protect your State Pension entitlement if you get Child Benefit.
Normally you need 39 qualifying years to get a full basic State Pension. But for example if your Mum spent 10 years working, and say 20 years caring for her children at home, she may find that those years during which she claimed Child Benefit also count as ‘qualifying years’, substantially increasing the amount of State Pension she can get.

It's worth checking that she is receiving the correct amount.

JC3

scot47

We have housing on Bute ! Campbeltown is another place where there is more housing than would-be-tenants !

Pulaski

35 years.

Editha

Actually, 30 years for someone of her age (77). But, there is the added complication that if she did work, she may have opted to pay the 'married women's stamp'.

This is why her entitlement can really only be determined by making asking for a statement.

JC3

Men born before 6 April 1945 need 44 years for a full State Pension
Women born before 6 April 1950 need 39 years for a full State Pension (Err, like I said)
Source: www.gov.uk/state-pension/eligibility

JC3

Editha

My apologies. You are absolutely correct.

Editha

We seem to have lost the OP on this thread.

Pulaski

Like wise, but when putting down a number different from the commonly applicable 30 and 35, and when typos are so very comma on internet forums, it would have been helpful if JC3 had given us a clue as to why "39" was actually correct.
Well that's never happened before!