Entitlement Advice

missylou_2

Hi I will try to keep this factual and to the point but if I ramble please bear with me as I need all the advice I can get!

My Dad suffered a stroke just over a year ago on his 60th birthday of all days. He has been left with a right sided weakness and loss of peripheral vision. He is currently learning to read again but it is proving a long slow process.

He was in full time employment and has been since the age of 15 so am sure he has made enough NI contributions to entitle him to something.

He has spent the last year sighned off sick (not by choice and is very unhappy about this) but now his entilement to sick pay from his employers has ran out as it only lasts for 1 year.

He has been told by them that he must take 4 weeks unpaid leave until they find him a more suitable post.

My Mum is retired and their only other income is from child benefit and a small amount of WFTC for my 17 year old brother which will cease Aug/Sept as my brother has just completed secondary education.

My Dad is old school and is too ashamed about the prospect of having to receive benefits and wont talk to anyone about what he may be entitled to.

Can anybody out there who knows anything about his entitlement please advise as they cannot survive on pride and fresh air

Thank you for taking the time to read this

Bogof_Babe

Do you mean what can he claim during the four weeks unpaid leave, or ongoing in the event that his employers can't find him a suitable job that he can manage?

That's a very sad story, but please don't panic, as if it turns out that he can't work because his condition is too restricting, then I am sure he will be able to claim DLA, which would mean your mum could apply for Carers Allowance.

What is your brother planning to do when he finishes his education? If he will be working and remaining at home, he should be prepared to contribute towards his keep.

missylou_2

Thank You,

Am looking at any options available to be honest.

Initially am most concerned about the unpaid leave as both parents refuse to accept any money from their adult children, who are all I might add well educated and financially stable, (though by no means wealthy!) due to the good job our parents did for us! I need to know what if any benefits he is entitled to during this period.

Realistically though am also concerned with longer term options as although my Dad is adamant that he will be returning to work am not sure this will ever happen due to the restrictive nature of the stroke damage. It just doesn't seem practicable as he can barely read, has no peripheral vision, hearing impairment, right sided weakness, problems with short term memory, and is no longer able to drive.

My brother will be going to university in Sept, no matter what this will not change as we are all determined that he should have the same opportunities that his other siblings had.

Bogof_Babe

I know it's the usual old chestnut, but I think you should initially try to get an appointment with the CAB, as they are the experts on situations like this. Have you discussed it all with your mum? Is it possible to discuss with your dad or does he get upset or annoyed? I'm only asking as it is really they who need to be working out their finances and doing a bit of planning. It's great that the family are prepared to help, but if they won't accept this then they must realise there has to be some serious consideration as to their options.

If he is still under his GP's care it might be worth asking him/her for a referral to Social Services, who can do an assessment of what the family might be able to claim should the worst case scenario happen.

As he is 60, he might be able to get advice and support from Age Concern. I'm not sure what age they kick in, but they are very helpful.

As for your brother, of course he should go to Uni. If he gets all the student loans etc. that are available, and is able to do a bit of part time work, he will only be in the same position as thousands of students are, and at least he will not be an extra drain on your parents' resources. (I don't mean that to sound nasty, but can't think of another way to word it.)

missylou_2

Hi,

Just posting an update on the situation.

Managed to persuade my Dad to go with me to CAB, where we were seen by an extremely helpful and knowledgeable member of staff. He was advised that as his GP considers him to be unfit for work at present then he should claim IB. Once this has been processed he also advised that my mother, (who is a pensioner) should apply for pension credit. Furthermore, he advised that if my mother's application for pension credit is successful then they will be entitled to full CT rebate, less amount payable for any non-dependent adults in their residence, (which is approx £7.00 max per adult, or zero for full time students!).

Thank you to all who expressed an interest/offered advice regarding this situation. It was gratly appreciated.

TheWaltons_3

missylou wrote: »

Hi,

Just posting an update on the situation.

Managed to persuade my Dad to go with me to CAB, where we were seen by an extremely helpful and knowledgeable member of staff. He was advised that as his GP considers him to be unfit for work at present then he should claim IB. Once this has been processed he also advised that my mother, (who is a pensioner) should apply for pension credit. Furthermore, he advised that if my mother's application for pension credit is successful then they will be entitled to full CT rebate, less amount payable for any non-dependent adults in their residence, (which is approx £7.00 max per adult, or zero for full time students!).

Thank you to all who expressed an interest/offered advice regarding this situation. It was gratly appreciated.

I'll bet that's a relief. Your Dad must take the help where available. It must be very hard to accept that he may not be able to work again properly, however, as you say, he has worked since young so it's not as if he has been on benefits all his life.

seven-day-weekend

I was just going to suggest he claimed Incapacity Benefit!

Glad it's worked out OK.