Son caring for mother - benefit help please

eatsleaves

I have a friend who's just retired (65) and he asked me if I could help with with his question - I couldn't directly, but wondered if anybody on the benefits forum could

The friend lost his wife about 10 years ago, and is now receiving a pension.
His elderly mother lives with him in a self contained part of the house (she's 90). My friend owns the house (with no mortgage), and his mother has a licence allowing her to live in part of the house for the rest of her life (no beneficial interest in the house).
My friend was receiving carers allowance for her up until about 4 weeks ago, when she unfortunately slipped and broke her leg and stayed almost 4 weeks in hospital.
She is now back home, but can only move about with the help of a zimmer frame.
The Dr said it will be several months until she will be able to walk unaided and quite possible that, due to her frailty, she will need it all the time.
My friend used to take her out on day trips, and go shopping with her, but she is not able to get in his car now (due to the height as it's a 4x4).
His mother receives a pension partly from her own contributions and partly from her husbands (he died 15 years ago).

His questions are:

1. Will his mother be entitled to any form of benefit, due to her injury/disability, and resulting lack of mobility (physical and transport wise)?
2. Will my friend still qualify for carers allowance now he is 65 and receiving a pension?

Any help would be really appreciated, thanks in advance.

mazza111

eatsleaves wrote: »

1. Will his mother be entitled to any form of benefit, due to her injury/disability, and resulting lack of mobility (physical and transport wise)?
2. Will my friend still qualify for carers allowance now he is 65 and receiving a pension?

Any help would be really appreciated, thanks in advance.

She must already be getting either DLA/PIP or AA given that he's receiving carer's allowance for her.

It depends on how much his pension is, he may still receive an underlying entitlement to CA. You can't claim CA when on certain benefits.

https://www.gov.uk/carers-allowance/eligibility

Dunroamin

eatsleaves wrote: »

I have a friend who's just retired (65) and he asked me if I could help with with his question - I couldn't directly, but wondered if anybody on the benefits forum could

The friend lost his wife about 10 years ago, and is now receiving a pension.
His elderly mother lives with him in a self contained part of the house (she's 90). My friend owns the house (with no mortgage), and his mother has a licence allowing her to live in part of the house for the rest of her life (no beneficial interest in the house).
My friend was receiving carers allowance for her up until about 4 weeks ago, when she unfortunately slipped and broke her leg and stayed almost 4 weeks in hospital.
She is now back home, but can only move about with the help of a zimmer frame.
The Dr said it will be several months until she will be able to walk unaided and quite possible that, due to her frailty, she will need it all the time.
My friend used to take her out on day trips, and go shopping with her, but she is not able to get in his car now (due to the height as it's a 4x4).
His mother receives a pension partly from her own contributions and partly from her husbands (he died 15 years ago).

His questions are:

1. Will his mother be entitled to any form of benefit, due to her injury/disability, and resulting lack of mobility (physical and transport wise)?
2. Will my friend still qualify for carers allowance now he is 65 and receiving a pension?

Any help would be really appreciated, thanks in advance.

There's no benefit for people over retirement age with mobility problems but she should be able to apply for a Blue Badge.

Dunroamin

dandelionclock30 wrote: »

The Mum may be entitled to Attendance allowance and there is a higher and lower rate for this. He should get the forms and fill them in.
Regarding if he can get carers allowance, what it says is that if you recieve a state pension then you may not get carers allowance. They will work out if his existing benefit can be increased or if he is entitled to other benefits. https://www.gov.uk/carers-allowance/eligibility

As son was receiving CA previously, mother must already be getting AA.

mazza111

Just to add, he may be able to reclaim CA for her given that he'll be back to caring for her, as long as it's over the 35 hours (sorry the link should provide exact hours.) Doesn't matter if he doesn't take her out, just that he spends the designated hours caring for her.

A blue badge is also a good idea if she finds that she will be able to get into his car at a later date.

I've just bought a car with high seating, and it's brilliant for lower limb problems, can fit 2 wheelchairs and all the crutches in the boot without any problems. Although it's not a jeep and they may be higher

eatsleaves

Thanks for those quick replies everybody that's already really helpful advice. I will speak with him later and clarify some of the points raised here.

wildwestfan

It isn't possible to claim State Retirement pension and Carer's Allowance together, they are considered overlapping benefits. However there may be an underlying entitlement to CA although I have no idea what benefits, if any, this brings.

A benefit check with CAB for both mother and son could be beneficial.

Horseunderwater

Once Mum is healed up, there are aides that an Occupational therapist may be able to supply to help her to get into/out of a car. I am thinking of a pad that swivels and sits on a seat as an example.