Is there any more help out there?

Manoona

Hello Everyone,

I am rather new to this side of the forum, although a lurker and semi regular poster ont eh Bankruptcy board! I am postinting on behalf of my parents and I apologise if this question has been asked before, but I feel my parents deserve more help than they are currently receiving - Although I am sure we all feel that way sometimes.

A little background first:

My dad suffered a stroke in August 2007, since then he has been deemed unfir for work and receives incapacity benefit, fortnightly - he has been assessed and this is still the case, so for the last 4 years this has been his only income.

My mum was a Revenue Executive with HMRC until March 2010 when she was made redundant - due to her age instead of getting one lump sum of her redundancy package, she received a part sum and her pension began straight away (she in only 54) Im not of the exact amount she was paid I believe it around £35k which has just about got her through the last year. Her only income now is her pension apx £640 pm

When she informed the job centre she was told she could only claim JSA for 1 week, which she did back in March 2010 and since has not claimed anything else.

Things are now becoming increasingly tight - She is actively looking for a job and would very much like to go back to work but really hasnt had much luck, although she is still continuously applying for positions.

My question is - Is there anything else that my parent are able to claim to help them - I currently live at home and I myself have been made redundant and finish work on Tuesday :-(

They are currently living on around 1k per month which is no easy task when the mortgage alone in over £600. (I will add they are currently trying to swtich their morgage to an interest only) If they are able to do this then it will help but I still feel as though there should be more - Both of my parents have worked all of their lives, my mum has always [aid her full national Insurance contributions (even when she left work to have children) my dad has been self employed his whole life and they are both finding the adjustment to not working rather difficult.

Sorry for the long post, but any help and advice would be great, our local Job Centre dont seem to be able to offer anyhthing more for them.

Thank you for any help, its very greatly received!
Maria

[Deleted User]

What happened to the 35k redundancy? Saving will impact benefits, or was this money used to reduce the mortgage?

Does your Dad have care needs, Maybe he can claim DLA?

fluffymovie

They could apply for council tax benefit.

How old are they are they? Possibly pension credit?

skintandscared_2

Deleted_User wrote: »

What happened to the 35k redundancy? Saving will impact benefits, or was this money used to reduce the mortgage?

The OP said "Im not of the exact amount she was paid I believe it around £35k which has just about got her through the last year. Her only income now is her pension apx £640 pm"

so I believe that's what they've been living on, as she only received 1 week of JSA. That does seem an awful lot of money, on top of the £640pm pension, but the mortgage alone is £600.

Manoona

Yep, the 35k they have lived on for the last 17 months as well as paying off some credit cards (not all but some)

My dad doesnt have care needs he was just unable to carry on as a painter and decorator, so there is no care allowance.

My dad is onlt 56 and my mum 54 so pension credit is not applicable yet.

My mum had worked for the Inland Revenue since she was 17, so yes although it was a good sum to be paid 35k doesnt last long, they chose to pay off credit cards knowing that it may be a few months until she managed to find another job - 18 months later and it still seems as though no one is hiring - sheer volume of applicants in our area I suppose.

pmlindyloo

Why don't you put their details into the benefit calculator on www.entitledto.com ? This will give you an idea of what they may be entitled to.

noratw

There is a benefits checker here that may help www.turn2us.org.uk

Manoona

Thank you - I'll try those now!

Oldernotwiser

Have they looked at the possibility of downsizing so that they can reduce or even finish paying their mortgage? This would also have the advantage of reducing their other outgoings, like utilities and council tax.

Hammyman

Just to add...

If your father has ever served in the Forces, contact SSAFA and the Royal British Legion to see if they can help. Also there are various Stroke charities that can offer advice and help negotiate the minefield of the benefits system to ensure they are getting what they are entitled to.