What can be claimed?

Becky

My mum is in a real mess. Her husband has walked out and she was financially dependent upon him.

What types of benefits and amounts could she be able to receive?

The house is not mortgaged and is paid for. She has no savings. She is 58 years old.

I have no experience of benefits as I have never used them. Would the Job Centre Plus be the best place to go?

It is such a shock at the moment that we have to try and get some structure into all this.

Thanks for any help.

Caz3121

If she is available for work and lives alone she should be able to receive Income based job seekers allowance of £65.45 a week until she can get a job. I believe she can make an initial claim over the phone. She should also get the 25% single occupant discount for council tax and may also be entitled to council tax benefit.

charleeboo

Go to entitledto, it will tell her all she needs to know and there is a helpline she can call if she would rather talk it through with someone. Also, there is a page in the income/family part of this website you may find has some use. Good luck.

Jowo_2

Who owns the house? Is it in her sole name or joint?