Agreed, most people in fact. I sure don't for one.

Governments seem to make it difficult to find out also, at least difficult, very difficult, without giving up anonymity (which of course they "encourage" you to do). {scare quotes intended}

I guess I am stating the obvious when I say that the UK benefits situation is very different for a disabled 65 year old with a small pension as compared with a penniless able-bodied 57 year old. The former is likely to be classed under the legal definition of so-called vulnerable person and get emergency housing right away. The latter will not usually be so-classified needs charitable help for perhaps six months. Traditionally this would be a live-in job as some kind of housemaid or child-minder. But times change.

Dear OP. The further away from London you are when you first contact authorities the better you are likely to fare in the early days.

Tovanger2 - Have you actually asked your grown children for help? Or are you just presuming that you do not want to be a burden on their everyday lives? Are they fully completey aware of your situation and what you are planning to do? They may feel different if they know you are to leave the country.
Sometimes we choose not to ask because we feel it is best not to and don't want to burden anyone, especially our children.

My heart goes out to you and I hope you find some help quickly. Don't let anyone make you feel lesser than you are - hold your head up high.

I saw a discussion somewhere recently that stated the IRS could take as much as 75% of your social security benefit to cover past tax debt. Are you sure it is only 15%??

Windsong, Here is the irs link that states it is 15%..You have to scroll to bottom to see it but in googling everything referred to 15%..

http://www.irs.gov/Individuals/Feder...t-Levy-Program

Thank you very much.

Do you know if the IRS can also collect from a company pension and, if so, how much?

You poor love, you're going through a rough time. I think your biggest immediately priority is to have someone on your side, someone who can offer support and advice for your situation. I don't know anything about the social welfare system in the US, but are there community or government agencies that you can approach to help you sort out what assistance you can receive right now, in the US?

Sometime everything just piles up on us and we feel too exhausted, defeated and sad to face getting out of bed, let alone wading through a maze of rules and regulations. You need someone to give you a hand, and there's no shame in that, God knows we all need a bit of help from time to time!

If you can't find a social welfare agency to help and advise you, can you go to your doctor and let them know how down you're feeling? He/she may be able to suggest something, and may also be able to help with the depression/sadness you're feeling.

At 65 you have a lot of living to do yet and you deserve these years to be happy and fulfilling. No matter how difficult it seems, please reach out to someone who can offer you immediate, practical help and support. Life WILL get better. Please keep in touch with us all and let us know how you're getting on. xxxx

What a beautiful, beautiful post!!! I was thinking about the doctor, too. When we feel life is too much to even get out of bed in the morning, that is the first sign we need to see a doctor for help.

I hope this lovely lady finds the help she needs

If you can pass the "Habitual Residency Test" you should qualify for Pension Credit which will make your income up to a level of (I think) £147 a week. Housing costs on top of that figure will be met. I am not sure how easy it would be to pass the Residency Test.

Depending on what area you come to you might find Social Hosuing - no chance in tyhe bigger crowded cities in the Southy but in a recession-bound town in the North or Scotland that should not be a problem.

Before you waste what little money you have on moving back to the UK and getting onto benefits there, you should be applying to the California Social Services for assistance.

Contrary to beliefs, there are any number of social services benefits one could apply for in your situation: help with housing, medical services, food provisions.

You already have somewhere to live here and an income coming in from Social Security. You probably are eligible for Medicaid, if you can't afford Medicare. Before giving those up you should approach the Social Services here.

You obviously have internet services so start here:

http://www.californiawelfare.info/ar...lfare-Programs

http://www.benefits.gov/benefits/bro...state/state/CA

http://www.dss.cahwnet.gov/cdssweb/default.htm

Hi Tovangar

I just wanted to reach out to you and say how much you have in common with so many people in America, and just about every where else in the world.Many people are going through a very tough time economically.You are not alone and many people truly do understand how you feel. Most of us do better when there are people in our life who we can discuss things with, and especially during the difficult moments that we encounter that can cause sadness and depression. Which is why we must guard against isolating our selfes. We have to reach out by getting involved in charaties,places of worship,children groups ect. The things we think about when we feel a sense of hopelessness will seem so far from the reality that we would believe in when times are good. The key is getting pass that horrible moment in time, and you can do that.

I was thinking the other day about who I am compared to the person I was 20 years ago. And the truth is, we all have some semblance of that young person we were many years ago.You do, and so do I. Call on those same strengths that you possessed because they are still within you. Contact the list of services which several of the people on this thread have mentioned.I feel certain you are eligible for various assistance with the government. In America the people who go to the front of the line for public assistance are children,those adults with some type of disability,the aged, and people that have served in the military.So you will get some form of help here in the States, and more than likely also back in the UK. And please Please continue to post on this site because there are many posters that care about your welfare. Personally I just want to say how much you inspire me to try and do better in my life even when it gets tough.So as you can see you have worth and value in this world.Don't ever forget that! And don't forget that person in you that was brave enough to move to a different country back in 1979. You are still that lass!

Hello Tovanger, I hope things are looking a bit brighter today and you've managed to see your doctor, and/or find an agency that can help you with your immediate situation in the US.

I hope you don't mind but I took the liberty of contacting Shelter, for possible options for you if you decide to return to the UK. Although the people at Shelter don't provide housing, they are keen to talk with you and let you know your options and rights if you return. They've advised you to email them at
http://england.shelter.org.uk/get_ad...dvice_by_email

If you need a reference the person I was in contact with was Frances from the email help team.

Let us know how you're getting on when you can, and don't forget, as hard as it is to force ourselves to to approach others for help, it's the very best thing you can do for yourself at the moment. And hey, you're worth the effort so go for it!! Looking forward to hearing from you again, very best wishes, Beth.

Wow, Spouse of Scouse - you are so kind to have contacted Shelter on behalf of the original poster, Tovanger.

Sadly, she's only made 2 posts on BE and the last one was in early October last year.....I have my doubts that she will be back will keep my that she reads your post in the near future.

Thanks Englishmum - I didn't realise that Tovangar's post was so long ago! I felt a bit intrusive contacting Shelter but I work in the community services area and thought it was something practical I could do. I'd like to volunteer for a similar role when we move to the UK if anyone will have me

I hope this lady's ok - it's a hard old world sometimes when you're on your own and especially so if you have a disability. There are some lovely people on BE.

I wasn't aware either that Tovangar's post was nearly 5 months old.Hopefully she found the assistance to solve the problem.