Advice needed please..

Emma1979

3 weeks ago my mum was rushed into hospital with a ruptured cerebral aneurysm, for the first week it was touch and go as to whether she would survive as it was a big bleed... anyway we are now on week 3 and she is still with us (thank god) she is still sleepy the doctors cannot yet tell us exactly what damage has been done, we do know that she have very little movement on her right side, hopefully in time this will come back, she is unable to speak at the mo but again with the right care etc this will come back in time... the doctors have told us that her getting back to near normality may never happen and if it does we are talking months, now my mum prior to this was an housewife, my stepdad was self employed, he has not had any work since before Christmas, they have never claimed benefits before just dipped into the savings to survive inbetween jobs etc, now the savings are all gone.... so I was wondering if they are entitled to any benefits? even if the rent is paid on the house would be a huge weight of my stepdad's shoulders at the minute.

Many thanks

MrsManda

Does the hospital which your mum is in have a CAB office on site? If it does this is probably the best place to get support as they'll be used to these kinds of situations.
If there's not a CAB office on site see if he can speak to PALS in the hospital to see if they can guide him through the system.

You could also put your mum/stepdad's details into one of the benefits calculators:
http://www.turn2us.org.uk/benefits_search.aspx

https://www.dwpe-services.direct.gov.uk/portal/page/portal/ba/lp?_piref278_36249_278_36248_36248.__ora_navig=

Presuming your mum hasn't be claiming benefits which pay her National Insurance contributions she won't be entitled to contribution based benefits but may be able to claim income-based benefits.
It's worth your stepdad calling the benefits line to see if he can claim Employment Support Allowance on behalf of your mum
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/FinancialSupport/esa/index.htm

Other income assessed benefits they may be able to claim include Housing Benefit, Council Tax benefit,
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/On_a_low_income/index.htm

I hope your mum recovers soon.

Emma1979

I am not sure if there is a CAB office in the hospital, will find out when I go to visit tomorrow.
Will look at the benefit calculators now.......Thank you very much x

krobins1982

Get in touch with the DWP and they can tell you if your mum or step dad can claim anything, certain types of benefits are contribution based and means tested. Then speak to your local council, the Benefit Section (or take up officer) will be able to let you know if they are eligible for Housing and/or Council Tax Benefit - they may need a copy of your step dad's self-employed accounts or proof of income prior to giving any binding advice. Do this asap as backdating is not usually allowed. Hope this helps and hope your mum is back to full strength soon x