Advice for parents

andyuk101_2

My parents are both currently working 1 part time and 1 fulltime with 2 children - 16 (still in school) and 12

Earnings this year

Full time - 54 -Dad £24k
Part time - 58 -Mum £11.5k

Own their own home with a small mortgage - approx £12k outstanding

My dad has worked in manual jobs all his life and is frankly knackered - at some point in the next 12 months he'll need major surgery on both shoulders and possibly knees to replace worn out joints - the consultant has made it clear that the surgery is required but he has carried on working with the aid of increasingly strong painkillers but this cant continue, its unlikely that my dad will return to work after the various operations which will be spread across 18 months to 2 years

Try as i might i cannot work out what they'll be entitled to should my dad have the surgery and be classed as disabled, the consultant indicated this is highly likely

Ive tried various calculators online and get a different answer almost everytime - neither parent has ever really claimed benefits before apart from childrens tax credits?

Sitution will be

1 parent working 30 hours - £11.5k salary
1 parent disabled - middle rate care and lower rate mobility (i think)
Council tax about £1200 a year
2 children in school full time

Disabled parent will, and already does, require help with washing and eating as after a day at work literally cannot get up or raise arms above shoulder height, needs help getting up in morning etc etc

Any help appreciated

mazza111

Your father would need to claim ESA. Which is an out of work sickness benefit. He would need to go for a Work Capability Assessment at around week 13, to decide what group he will be in, there are different rates.

I wouldn't count on him getting DLA, it's a very difficult benefit to get, even if you think he should qualify. Even if your doctor thinks he will qualify, it's still a very difficult benefit to get.

I would play around with figures on entitledto.co.uk . And see what it comes up with. But don't figure in DLA at the moment. Then you have the worse case scenario. Anything then from DLA if he qualifies is a bonus.

andyuk101_2

Thanks for the info - i assumed it was ESA 'or' DLA and because its unlikely my father will be working went with DLA - The consultant dealing with the case has made it clear that he wont be returning to work for a long time if ever following the surgery

kingfisherblue

ESA is an out of work benefit, but DLA can be claimed when someone is working. If your father is to have surgery, it will be expected that he will no longer have the same care needs and may not qualify for DLA as a result of this.

Your parents might also qualify for council tax benefit.

Your mum might qualify for working tax credit. She should also apply for child tax credits, as the lower household income may mean that they will be entitled to this as well.

mazza111

Sorry, I should have mentioned the others. I just didn't want you to count on the DLA. As I've said it's a very hard benefit to get. And you usually need to jump through hoops to get it. You need to have had the same condition for 3 months and expect it to continue for at least 6 months. You should still apply for it though if you feel your father needs it.

Working Tax Credits as your mother is working.
Child Tax Credits as there is youngsters in the house.
Council Tax Benefit - may or not be applicable, it depends on circumstances. Entitled to should give you a good idea of what to expect though. You could put the figures in at differing rates and see what it comes up with

bestpud

Would he be able to reduce his hours? My dad reduced his when in a similar situation and then claimed DLA to make up the shortfall. It meant he was able to carry on working another couple of years.

He tried to claim ESA when he eventually had to stop but was turned down and didn't bother appealing as he was only a year away from retirement anyway.

It would be worth your dad going through the appeal process if he thinks they have wrongly assessed him. My dad could definitely not have worked at the time (he is very proud and would have been if he could), so they do make mistakes.

It's worth trying to get support with the forms. Dad had help from Able but I don't know if they are still going...?

letthemeatcake

He should definately make a claim for DLA. If after the operations he improves then you can inform them of a change in his health but cross that bridge when you get to it. If is still in poor health then DLA will be in place.