Benefit entitlements for widowed mother-in-law

Grumpyoldmoo

Hi All,

My mother-in-law was widowed last Wednesday afternoon. She lives in a 2 bedroom council flat in London & I was wondering what benefits she will be entitled to. I know she'll get a single persons pension & a reduction in her council tax. She also has a M&S pension.

All advice greatly received, many thanks in advance.

merlin68

Depends on her total income.

mum2one

depending on the age of her husband, she may be entitled to the widows allowance pension, which is payable or up to 12 months,

She would be entitled to single persons discount on council tax

Again it depends on her total income x

Grumpyoldmoo

Hi, her husband would have been 80 in January 2015, I have no idea what her total pension income is, but I doubt it would be very much.

merlin68

If its less than 142 a week she can claim pension credit up to that amount this would then passport her to full housing and council tax benefit and free health costs.

RAS

How old is MIL? Probably old enough to avoid the bedroom tax but do check.

Do check other benefits (Housing Benefit etc) on www.turn2us.org.uk

Grumpyoldmoo

Hi MIL will be 77 in December, I now know that her M&S pension is £73 per month.
Thanks for everyone's input so far, I really appreciate it

help4help2013

If your husband, wife or civil partner has died you may be able to get Bereavement Payment: a one-off, tax-free, lump-sum payment of £2,000.

https://www.gov.uk/bereavement-payment/overview

thorsoak

A lady of 77 is not entitled to bereavement payment.

Mojisola

It would be worth asking AgeUK to do a benefits check for her.

xylophone

See http://www.ageuk.org.uk/Documents/EN-GB/Factsheets/FS48_Pension_Credit_fcs.pdf?dtrk=true

http://www.ageuk.org.uk/Documents/EN-GB/Factsheets/FS19_State_Pension_fcs.pdf?dtrk=true