Mum recently widowed - advice please

tcclalel

Hi all, thanks to this site I have already filled in the form the the bereavement allowance, am just waiting on the death certificate to send it off.
My Dad was 59 and my Mum is 56.
A couple of questions -
Dad was self employed, I have spoke to his accountant and I am trying to pull all the info together for him, but I can't see that Dad has paid any NI contributions, but the bereavement allowance is based on this?!?!? Is it different for self employed?
Mum was working part time, bringing home roughly £400 a month, but obv off at the mo, Dad only died last Mon.
Dad has left Mum about £25,000, will she be entitled to any other help?
I have sorted the single person council tax
I have told her that she is able to work full time, so he gov will expect her to, am I right in saying this?
She hates her job and wants to start off on her own, she is a cleaner.
Anyone understand this post?!?!?
Hope so, I have made an appointment with the bereavement officer at the job centre next Thu, but would like some advice 1st

Will be grateful for any comments

tcclalel

Have answered my own q really! Duhhh

DX2

With 25K I doubt she will be entitled to any income based benefits.
Sorry to hear about your dad.

CRANKY40

Try this - it explains what NI contributions are required exactly and if your mum qualifies for the Bereavement allowance. Sorry for your loss.
http://www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk/JCP/Partners/allowancesbenefits/dev_010425.xml.html

beanybop

there is an over 50's tax credit that may be a option, although I am not sure if she needs to start a new job/self employment to get this, and it only pays for 12 months, but getting bereavement allowance is a way of qualifying as far as I can tell. You only need to work the 16 hours a week to get this. It not a huge amount about £1300 a year I think, but is seems to be a return to work thing.

Perhaps worth phoning tax credit people, or perhaps someone will be along shortly that has more info on this than I do.

Best wishes to your mum, at this awful time.

tcclalel

All muddly for me!! We are going in to speak to them next week.
From what has been put on here I will advise Mum to keep her part time job going, not just for the money, but to get her out the house.
I've only been working part time for 8 years(2 kids) and couldnt imagine going back to work full time, let alone after 35 years!

thanks for all your help

AsknAnswer

Is mum receiving any benefits or tax credit at the moment?

The £25000.00 left, was this dad's estate in his own right or is this in joint savings with mum?

tcclalel

Mum not receiving anything at the mo.
The 25k is made up of his life insurance and a pension scheme