Can my Mother Claim Disability?

doolahrock

Hi Folks

I'm looking to try and make improvements to my mothers house mainly in terms of heating. She has a horribly antiquated storage heater system which costs a fortune and gives very little back in return. She is receiving nothing in the way of benefits that could potentially help finance a new heating system but I feel she should have some entitlement.

About 18 months ago my mother had a really bad fall and fractured both of her wrists. She was in hospital for around 3-4 weeks and had operations on both wrists.

After physio for a while, the doctor declared they could do nothing more for her. She has been left with no mobility in two fingers on her left hand and suffers from a general lack of mobility in both hands. She has not been able to drive since, leaving her with 4 mile trips to the nearest supermarket via bus and an uncomfortable journey back with the shopping. There are shops in her town but they are larger convenience stores and therefore significantly more expensive than the likes of Tesco and Asda

She is also no longer able to cope with the garden and has to employ someone to mow the lawn.

Her only form of real 'feel the difference' heating is from a coal fire which is obviously not easy for her bringing in coal and cleaning out the fire in the morning.

I desperately want to get a proper central heating system installed for her but I'm struggling to find the money without leaving myself and my wife short. If she was entitled to any benefits then there is a real chance she would be eligible for a £4000 grant for a heating system. Do you think we have a valid case? As I mentioned, she can do certain day to day things but it's not without a struggle.

Any replies hugely appreciated.

Jon

baza52

How old is she? does she own or rent? Live alone? savings? income? partner?

As she is able to travel 4 miles to a supermarket and carry her shopping home i cant see her being classed as disabled.

seven-day-weekend

How old is she, does she live alone and what is her total income?

Dognobs

I doubt she will get disability but my be entilted to some grants depending on savings/income. Try warm frount and also her energy supplier as they may be able to provide you with insulation.

welshmoneylover

doolahrock wrote: »

Hi Folks

I'm looking to try and make improvements to my mothers house mainly in terms of heating. She has a horribly antiquated storage heater system which costs a fortune and gives very little back in return. She is receiving nothing in the way of benefits that could potentially help finance a new heating system but I feel she should have some entitlement.

About 18 months ago my mother had a really bad fall and fractured both of her wrists. She was in hospital for around 3-4 weeks and had operations on both wrists.

After physio for a while, the doctor declared they could do nothing more for her. She has been left with no mobility in two fingers on her left hand and suffers from a general lack of mobility in both hands. She has not been able to drive since, leaving her with 4 mile trips to the nearest supermarket via bus and an uncomfortable journey back with the shopping. There are shops in her town but they are larger convenience stores and therefore significantly more expensive than the likes of Tesco and Asda

She is also no longer able to cope with the garden and has to employ someone to mow the lawn.

Her only form of real 'feel the difference' heating is from a coal fire which is obviously not easy for her bringing in coal and cleaning out the fire in the morning.

I desperately want to get a proper central heating system installed for her but I'm struggling to find the money without leaving myself and my wife short. If she was entitled to any benefits then there is a real chance she would be eligible for a £4000 grant for a heating system. Do you think we have a valid case? As I mentioned, she can do certain day to day things but it's not without a struggle.

Any replies hugely appreciated.

Jon

Can't you arrange a delivery for her from online shopping?

If she can manage a 4 mile trip and carry bags, she doesn't sound that disabled to me.

doolahrock

She is 65, lives alone in her own home (in her name although I provided the money to buy on the council long term tenant council discount), no savings and on state pension plus the top up from NI contributions to around the £140 a week mark.

Sorry if people thought I was making her out to be disabled but I've just seen many people in her area claiming disability who are far more mobile than her. Not looking to start a who should/who shouldn't discussion.

Thanks folks

Jon

dmg24

doolahrock wrote: »

She is 65, lives alone in her own home (in her name although I provided the money to buy on the council long term tenant council discount), no savings and on state pension plus the top up from NI contributions to around the £140 a week mark.

Sorry if people thought I was making her out to be disabled but I've just seen many people in her area claiming disability who are far more mobile than her. Not looking to start a who should/who shouldn't discussion.

Thanks folks

Jon

Not all disabilities are visible.

anmarj

doolahrock wrote: »

She is 65, lives alone in her own home (in her name although I provided the money to buy on the council long term tenant council discount), no savings and on state pension plus the top up from NI contributions to around the £140 a week mark.

S

top up from NI contributions - do you mean Pension Credit?, what element of Pension Credit - guaranteed or savings credit or both (the award letter would show)

she would not be able to claim DLA as she is over 65 that leaves only AA which is focused on care needs rather than mobility

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/Disabledpeople/DG_10018710

baza52

how about releasing some of the capital in the house to finance it?
There must be a nice profit after the council discount.

sunnyone

baza52 wrote: »

how about releasing some of the capital in the house to finance it?
There must be a nice profit after the council discount.

Dont be so silly, that his inheritance, thats why he bought the house but wont give his mum a decent heating system.

Oldernotwiser

OP, you can buy modern, much more efficient storage heaters for £2/300 each and the wiring is already there. Why not buy some replacements for her, one at a time if that's what you can afford, which will be far cheaper than the completely new system you mention.