Don't know what to do

ashe123

Hello I need some advice.

My mom currently has 2 jobs but both don't bring in enough money. She is only able to do about 16 hours of work each week been as the company she works for does not have any more hours available to take and has osteoarthritis in the knee and shoulder. My dad died just little under a year and left us in a mess. She picks up around 85 pounds a week however out of that she has to pay to get to work, food and all the bills.

She gets bereavement benefit at the moment but that ends next week. She has tried to go for Income Support but was told that because she did not have a child who was at school, she could not get it.

I am helping her out by buying the food for house but it does't go far enough. Anyone got any advice that could help out?

tomtom256

The only thing that springs to mind is DLA/PIP, depending on how bad her osteoarthritis is and what affects it has on her day to day life.

Does she rent or own, as LHA/HB is an option on that income as is council tax benefit, however council tax is changing next year.

rogerblack

IS is not payable for nondisabled single parents who have a child over 5.
I assume for the moment you're not not at school as you're under 5.

She is entitled to child benefit, if you are under 16, or if you are in 'continuing advanced education' (fulltime collage, university), and under 20. I assume this isn't the case.

Child tax credits follow child benefit (largely).

Working tax credits is not applicable to someone on 16 hours.

Council tax benefit/LHA/housing benefit would certainly be payable at 85/week.

For any weeks she gets over 16 hours, she cannot claim jobseekers allowance.

This pretty much leaves illness benefits.
Disability living allowance - this is a benefit to help with the extra costs of disability.
It's questionable that she would be entitled to the above, though it depends on her abilities.
If she can't walk, or wheel a wheelchair 50 yards, without severe pain or discomfort, even quite slowly, it may be possible.

Employment and support allowance - she would have to give up work, in order to claim this. I do not advise this.

In short.
Investigate council tax benefit/housing benefit/local housing allowance (which one of the latter depends if you rent/live in council property).

Consider making a DLA application.

Addressing other things.
Help out more.
Go through the 'debt free' forums, and find the budget planner tool. Do it very carefully, going through all possible expenses, and seeing if you can reduce them.

ashe123

She owns. She can walk however it's very slow and in severe pain.

I left college at after my course finished. I am applying for jobs. I don't want to be someone claiming.

rogerblack

ashe123 wrote: »

She owns. She can walk however it's very slow and in severe pain.

I left college at after my course finished. I am applying for jobs. I don't want to be someone claiming.

If she can only walk in severe pain, then she is entitled to DLA.
If she can't use a wheelchair without pain, then she will likely continued to be entitled when the switch to PIP occurs.
Apply as soon as possible, or she will lose out on benefit.
If she gets high-rate-mobility, it's about 57 pounds extra a week.

You mean you're not claiming JSA?

Or just that you don't wish to.

Is she claiming council tax benefit?

One other thing that comes to mind is that as you have free time, expand your jobsearch to search for better employment for her.

ashe123

I am claiming JSA, it's what I use to get the food.

She has sent off a forum for council tax benefit but not heard anything.

SkyeKnight

If you are under 20 she can still get Child Benefit and Child Tax Credits for you (plus Working Tax Credits if she is working 16 hours a week) if you are in full time further (not university) education. This would add up to considerably more than JSA. If you can't get a job have you considered doing another college course and job seeking around that?