Helping father in law, mother in law passed away...

addicted2shoes

Hi, my father in law has worked all of his life, he finally gave up work in Sep last year to become a full time carer for my mother in law.
She passed away suddenly just before Christmas.
They had no savings, I am trying to help him as much as I can, he is so lost.

Can anyone point me in the right direction as to what he is entitled to? Obviously his carers allowance has stopped and his council tax bill will be reduced by 25%. Is he entitled to anything? We don't know where to go from here? Hopefully this will only be for the short term, as I know he will be wanting to get back to work, he's so upset with what has happened and I'd like to make it easier for him.
Thanks in advance x
He's 58.

MrsManda

If he's going to be looking for work he'll be able to claim Jobseekers Allowance, have they been claiming anything else other than carer's allowane and DLA?
He may entitled to Income Support, Bereavement Payment
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Governmentcitizensandrights/Death/WhatToDoAfterADeath/DG_066810


It's probably worth putting his details into the benefits calculators below:
http://www.turn2us.org.uk/benefits_search.aspx
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/BeginnersGuideToBenefits/DG_4016805

katkim

addicted2shoes wrote: »

Hi, my father in law has worked all of his life, he finally gave up work in Sep last year to become a full time carer for my mother in law.
She passed away suddenly just before Christmas.
They had no savings, I am trying to help him as much as I can, he is so lost.

Can anyone point me in the right direction as to what he is entitled to? Obviously his carers allowance has stopped and his council tax bill will be reduced by 25%. Is he entitled to anything? We don't know where to go from here? Hopefully this will only be for the short term, as I know he will be wanting to get back to work, he's so upset with what has happened and I'd like to make it easier for him.
Thanks in advance x
He's 58.

I'm sorry for your loss. I'm going through the same thing, as my dad passes away at Christmas. I was given a handly booklet by the hospital by the DWP, which outlines what to do after the death and sources of help.

He may be able to claim:

Bereavment payment
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/Bereaved/DG_10018703

Bereavment allowance http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/Bereaved/DG_10018684

Although if you qualify, apply and get, it does effect other benefits such as housing, JSA etc.

If he's on a low income, he may also qualify for help in paying for the funeral.
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/Bereaved/DG_10018660

addicted2shoes

Thanks everyone, he's calling round tomorrow with a mountain of forms he said. Will be nice for me to give him some good news xxx

Oldernotwiser

addicted2shoes wrote: »

Thanks everyone, he's calling round tomorrow with a mountain of forms he said. Will be nice for me to give him some good news xxx

You'll need to have more information about his finances before he applies for anything. Is he paying rent, does he have savings and etc.?

addicted2shoes

Hi, oldernotwiser he owns his house and has no savings.

Oldernotwiser

addicted2shoes wrote: »

Hi, oldernotwiser he owns his house and has no savings.

Then as post #3 plus council tax credit. After a year, if he hasn't returned to work he can claim JSA.

addicted2shoes

That's great I'm printing off a bereavement Benefits form for him now to complete tomorrow, and I'll also ring Council Tax tomorrow too.