Benefits whilst in Rehab?

lemontree

My Son has moved into a Rehab Unit for recovering Alcoholics until he is fit enough to work which could be about 4 months.
He has been advised to claim Incapacity Benefit forty pounds of which he pays to the unit towards his keep so he will have 19 pounds left.
As the unit is about 50 miles from his home town and it would cost this amount to travel home occasionaly is there anything further he could claim?
He is single.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

babyboo42

hi when you say a rehab unit do you mean primary rehab or secondary? does he have to pay rent or are there fees?

suffolkb

When I was in rehab, I was allowed to keep my benefits until I decided to be a live-in patient. Then I had to give all my bens, less about £10, to the clinic to pay for my room and food.
This left me in a lot of debt (mortgage etc), but it`s only money and will be repaid. Without the rehab, I would not be here now. I wish your son well. Rehab is no holiday camp.

lemontree

Thank you Babyboo and Suffolk for your replies which are most appreciated!
My son entered a detox unit for 3 weeks and was then accepted at a Rehab Unit for which the fees are being paid by the Council and he will contribute whatever
the Incapacity amount is and retain 19 pounds.The claim was made 6 weeks ago and as yet he has had no money so I have been funding him.
My friend has been taking me on the 100 mile round trip each week to see him.
I am very proud of him for doing so well as I have tried in various ways to help him including setting him up in various flats over the last 3 years and buying him tools as he is a tradesman. All of my help did nothing to solve the situation until
when joining Alanon they told me to step back and realise I could not solve the situation. At last he took the steps to join a Detox programme.
I have always been prepared to help him financially but after a major opperation I have been unable to work for 18 months.
Now my son is sober he worries that I am spending my savings to help him.
Today I have been told by the Rehab Manager he will need 6 months to be fit enough for work as he has been drinking for 15 years.
What is worrying me is that due to this he may decide to leave, move back to his home town to obtain work and begin drinking again.
He is also a smoker which costs money but I think it is unrealistic to ask him to give that up at the moment.
Sorry for going on but as I do not want to burden My other son and daughter with these details as they have never agreed with the obvious amount of money I was "wasting" on him.
Thank you again for your interest.

crawley_girl

Oh Lemontree - sounds really stressful on you and your family.

I'm not sure of the answers that you are looking for, but just want to remind you of the need to take time out for yourself before you it burn out.

Take care

:heartpuls CG :heartpuls