i need some advice

mufc14

i am looking for some advice regarding my father he is currently not working but has been told he cannot claim anything (been out of work 18 months) he has been told he cant claim because my mother works full time (24 hours per week minimum wage) he is aged 56 and they are now struggling to pay things
any advice would be very helpful as everywhere he has tried says he is not entitled to anything
must point out he has had two strokes so many employers seem to be put off with age and health problems

RAS

Hi

Go to www.turn2us.org.uk and put in details of their income and expenditure (rent ct etc).

Mum may be able to make a joint claim for WTC, CTC and LHA. Dad cannot.

mufc14

is there anything my dad is entitled to ??

Torry_Quine

mufc14 wrote: »

is there anything my dad is entitled to ??

Presumably he has had his six months of contribtions JSA. That is all he is personally entitled to as after that it's income based on the household.

mufc14

but surely minimum wage over 24 hours is not sufficient for a couple to live off ???

missbunbury

mufc14 wrote: »

but surely minimum wage over 24 hours is not sufficient for a couple to live off ???

Which is why mum ought to claim the tax credits to which they are likely to be entitled.

Edit: Although having looked at the figures, I think it will actually only be council tax benefit they can get, not enough hours for WTC see, could mum get an extra six hours a week?

pmlindyloo

All means tested benefits will take into account the household income - this means your Mum's income at the moment.

They can apply for Working Tax Credits, Council Tax and Housing Benefit.

Have they been living on savings until now?

As the previous poster said put their details into the benefit checker on www.turn2us.org.uk for an estimate of their entitlement.

mufc14

if she worked 30 hours a week she would get benefit ? how is it right you get help for working more hours? i dont think she can get more hours

pmlindyloo

As strange as it may seem to you if you have no dependant children then you need to work 30 hours each week to claim Working Tax Credits. (probably set with the belief that people should be better off in work than not? - who knows? - always winners and losers in such a complicated system - point for discussion in another place- but not helpful for your parents)

If your Mum cannot get any more hours then she could make up the other 6 hours by being self employed and doing something like Betterware/Avon etc etc. Post back for further advice if this is a possibility.

Do your parents rent? They are probably entitled to some Housing Benefit if they do. Also Council Tax Benefit.

The other thing you might consider is whether your father has any care needs/mobility needs arising from his strokes. Google Disability Living Allowance and see if you think he might be eligible. It is a non means tested benefit so won't be used as income for other benefits.

If you think your dad fits the criteria for DLA then get a Welfare Advisor or CAB to help you fill in the forms as they are rather complicated.

totallybroke_2

He should get JSA - that's if he's actively seeking work?

Dunroamin

mufc14 wrote: »

i am looking for some advice regarding my father he is currently not working but has been told he cannot claim anything (been out of work 18 months) he has been told he cant claim because my mother works full time (24 hours per week minimum wage) he is aged 56 and they are now struggling to pay things
any advice would be very helpful as everywhere he has tried says he is not entitled to anything
must point out he has had two strokes so many employers seem to be put off with age and health problems

24 hours a week isn't full time - even the 30 hours needed to claim WTC isn't full time!