Very Unusual Situation

RAS

You may want to refer your friends here http://www.grandparentsplus.org.uk/index.php

DX2

real1314 wrote: »

1. Child Benefit (Actually likely to be Guardians Allowance, but it's the same thing really)
2. Child Tax Credit

Both are paid by HMRC

They are eligible to claim both child benefit and Guardians allowance two different benefits.

Child benefit
Child tax credits
Guardians allowance

HugoSP

Thanks for your replies they have been very useful

I know in normal circumstances the father would be expected to contribute. But circumstances prohibit the father from supporting even though he may well want to. Please trust me on this. I'm not willing to go into why, suffice to say if I did you would all understand the situation but out of privacy to those concerned I cannot.

We have to rule out support from the father. It's not going to happen - end of.

So, with the greatest of respect - discussion on that subject is not helpful, although I appreciate it is well intended. Therefore please respect my asking you all not to cram this thread with the rights and wrongs of father supporting the kids.

Taking that on board I would welcome any other ideas from funding from social funds, charities etc.

Thank you.

RAS

Look the core to this is the child benefit; until they get that sorted, they cannot claim other benefits. And CB are more than likely to write to the person who has previously been claiming and until they get confirmation from the previous claimant that they are withdrawing their claim, they will not process the change of circumstances

Now if the mother was previously claiming, you will undertand that it is quite likely the CB will get themselves in a mess; demanding proof of withdrawal of claim from someone who is unable to do this.

I know it sounds like something out of Kafka, but some of the problems on here really do come out of that genre.

Your friends need to claim CB and include a copy of their daughter's death certificate as proof that the daughter is no longer claiming.

Tiddlywinks

The estate needs to be sorted out as the children may be due some proceeds or there may be a fund from a life insurance policy - this needs to be established as it will impact on the benefits eligibility.

Was the family home owned? Was it shared with the father?

Did your friend work? Is there an occupational pension with death in service benefits that will now pay out? All of these things have a bearing on the family finances - before looking to the state there may already be provisions in place.

DanE2010

RAS wrote: »

Look the core to this is the child benefit; until they get that sorted, they cannot claim other benefits. And CB are more than likely to write to the person who has previously been claiming and until they get confirmation from the previous claimant that they are withdrawing their claim, they will not process the change of circumstances

Now if the mother was previously claiming, you will undertand that it is quite likely the CB will get themselves in a mess; demanding proof of withdrawal of claim from someone who is unable to do this.

I know it sounds like something out of Kafka, but some of the problems on here really do come out of that genre.

Your friends need to claim CB and include a copy of their daughter's death certificate as proof that the daughter is no longer claiming.

They dont need to be in reciept of the child benefit to get child tax credits, lots of parents let one partner claim the child benefit and the other claim the child tax credits so this isnt a problem in regards to child tax credits.

Oldernotwiser

CFC wrote: »

As Dan says, they will be entitled to the benefits that any parents are entitled to. The father will still need to contribute to their maintainance I believe, the CSA will help with this.
The Grandparents Association may help
http://www.grandparents-association.org.uk
or this specialist organisation
http://www.grandparentsasparents.org.uk/

It seems as if the question of money depends on which council you fall in.

QUOTE
The most important thing to avoid is getting a Residence Order before resolving whether the LA have any duties in respect of the child being cared for. An RO gives the holder Parental Responsibility – it stops a child being a looked after child. You can’t therefore get Fostering Allowances. You may get Residence a llowance but this is means tested and often less than Fostering Allowance.
If the child had been in care then the Local authorities should pay a proper allowance to the carer.If you just take the child on then it is not classed as a looked after child, so you can only get whatever benefits you are entitled to and maybe RO allowance.

I'm not sure that I've understood your post properly - are you actually recommending that the grandparents be treated as foster parents, with all that this involves?

DX2

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

I'm not sure that I've understood your post properly - are you actually recommending that the grandparents be treated as foster parents, with all that this involves?

Stress of going through the foster parents rigmalora last thing these parents need at this time in their life and especially after the death of their daughter.

Like everything nowadays it's all about money if the grandparents go down the foster parent route it's more money, mind you I would far rather have a RO than having all that comes with being a foster parent.

Oldernotwiser

DX2 wrote: »

Stress of going through the foster parents rigmalora last thing these parents need at this time in their life and especially after the death of their daughter.

Like everything nowadays it's all about money if the grandparents go down the foster parent route it's more money, mind you I would far rather have a RO than having all that comes with being a foster parent.

I can't believe that anyone could recommend putting anyone (adults or children) through the fostering process just for financial gain. What these children need is family and security rather than checks and SW visits.

(Are we friends again after last night's thread?)

CFC

Sorry Older, I was quoting and didn't clean up the English as I was in a hurry.

If the grandparents have a Residence Order they will not get any fostering allowance. In other words, if you take the children on as a matter of course, then the LA will support you to get a residence order. The children are then not the responsibility of the LA and they will pay little or nothing towards the upkeep of the children.
If the children are in the care of the LA and then are taken on by the grandparents, the grandparents will be able to get Fostering allowance.

I thought it would be quite straightforward before I looked into it, but it isn't. As DX says, it's the individual grandparent's choice as to whether they want the LA involvement and the hassle that comes with that, which will give an enhanced income. I know which I'd pick and it wouldn't be the enhanced income.

All this is assuminig that the father is out of the picture and would not have any parental care for the children supported by the courts.