newly disabled mum - help i am confused about benefits etc

h007

hello

my mum recently hada stroke and has been left disabled. she can walk very small distances but spends alot of time in the wheelchair.

the other day her nurse said we should look into the benefits she is entitled too and make our applications now - even though she is currently being paid for her job still.

basically i am really confused by all the benefits sites and i want to know

1 what benefits do you think i should be looking in to?
2 what is the savings threshold for benefits?


i want to know about the 2nd thing as she has modest amount of savings but she is going to need to spend it all on moving house and buying aids etc??

as you can see i am very confused - any help would be gratefully recieved!

wolfehouse

the system can be very confusing for someone who has not dealt with it before.

I take it your mum is under 65 (still working) the main benefit which is not affected by income or savings is dla.
the forms are quite complicated and i would always suggest getting help to fill this in.

If she needs adaptations to her house and can stay there if it is adapted she should be able to get help from your local social work dept. who would send out an ot to look and see what can be done. This would be a disabled facilities grant which is means tested and you would either be expected to contribute dependant on income and savings, or as in my local council expected to pay back money when the house is sold.

If she is still in hospital this referral should be made by the hospital ot to the community ot service- liasing. They will provide aids where needed. Indeed, if necessary the hospital ot should arrange a home visit before your mother is released home. But of course all this depends on what hospital she is in, and communicating with staff- often carers are ignored and people are sent home before any help is arranged.

Again, depending on income she may be entitled to some home help for personal care (free in scotland) , shopping etc.

As for income replacement benefits, that will be dependent on savings and a chat with a welfare rights officer would be in order as this can be very complicated.

I know I may sound like a broken record but your local carers centre can help you with many of these matters as well as looking at the needs of the carer themself and discussing your feelings (including this confusion of dealing with the system).

infoannie

Just a few places to get you started. You will probably find each one will signpost you to other organisations / benefits etc that are useful to your personal situation.

Try:
Disability officer at the Job centre (they help with things not just work related); disability social worker; your GP / doctor; local or national organisations for specific conditions ie stroke association; local disability organisations; citizens advice; and dont forget to ask the people who are / may be already supporting you ie nurse, physio etc. and look on the goverments website for other useful links; and finally dont forget about your needs as a carer as there is also support for you. Just keep asking everyone who you meet - as nobody will come knocking on your door to tell you what you can claim or get help / support.
Good luck

somebody_else

This link might be of some help.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/index.htm

You should be able to gain most of the information you're looking for there.

If you furtle around a bit on that site, you'll also find contact details for your local social services, who should be able to give you more help.

h007

thanks so much guys

it really is a matter of finding where to start and what to expect

using that link i have found she can start claiming dla straight away but not incapacity.
and the only thing that should be measured against savings is any dl grant she needs.

thats makes things alot clearer in my head thanks!

mcspanna

Hi h007,

This is also a very good site that I've used myself in the past:

http://www.entitledto.co.uk/

HTH

Savvy_Sue

I don't know, but you may struggle with claiming DLA until it's clear what the long term effects of the stroke are going to be. With good aftercare, recovery can be excellent.

That's not to say don't claim.

Different Strokes may be useful to you: set up by younger stroke survivors for younger stroke survivors (although they don't define 'younger'!)