Benefits after child has died?

Sian19

I am posting this on behalf of my friend (her sister's situation) she has asked me with help about what her sisters financial situation is now (as I am the only other one with a child) but I have no idea, was hoping someone could help.

Her sister is 17 and had a 6 month old baby, he sadly died 2 weeks ago due to cot death. She was a single mum and wasn't working so in receipt of income support, child tax and child benefit, she did not get housing benefit as she lives at home still.

Obviously she is distraught being so young and loosing her child so unexpectedly, she can't even bring herself to leave the house and hasn't seen anyone (apart from family) since the tragedy happened. Obviously she knows the child related benefits will stop but she is wondering when income support will stop and when she will be required to find work. She obviously is going to look for work in the future but feels that now (or with in the next few months) she feels she can not deal with it as understandably she is very upset.

custardy

I know little of benefits. However I would expect a doctor would sign her off from being fit to look for work, at this point.
I think its called ESA or something. Im sure others will offer better advice.

pmlindyloo

Child Benefit and Child tax Credits have an 8 week run on period.

http://www.durham.gov.uk/media/3964/Benefits-after-a-death-factsheet/pdf/BenefitsAfterADeath.pdf

Can't find any information as to whether the same applies to Income Support so will probably have to ask when she telephones to inform them of the change of circumstances.

if she has no run on of Income support then she has a choice. Either JSA (they would allow some time for the grieving process before she had to comply with her job seekers agreement) but probably the best option is Employment Support Allowance. She would need a fit note from the doctors. When she is ready then she can come off ESA and go on JSA or find a job herself)

Since she will get CTC and CB for the 8 weeks the main thing is for her to get some help and support through her doctor. Ask for a home visit.

cattie

I have no idea about benefits, but as a bereaved parent who lost her only child, my heart goes out to this girl. She will need good enduring support from those around her & I think she would find it very helpful to contact one or both of the organisations that I personally found very helpful. Both are run by fellow bereaved parents, so understand completely just how it feels to lose a child. When you lose a child, you desperately need contact with somebody who has suffered the same terrible loss as you.

One of the organisations is known as TCF (The Compassionate Friends).
http://www.tcf.org.uk/

And the other one is the Child Death Helpline, http://childdeathhelpline.org.uk/

I wish her well for the future. It might take her a long time to learn to live with her loss, but eventually she should find a way of coping with the terrible grief & as she is so young, eventually be ready to think about having another child.