benefit for a widow

londonTiger

Topcat1982 wrote: »

Sorry for your loss.

Could you be specific about the ages of all the children and type of education? (college/university...)

age 12 gcse
age 16 gcse
age 17 a levels
age 18 ft college course. not entirely sure

londonTiger

skcollobcat10 wrote: »

Forgive me if I am incorrect:

husband worked as a taxi driver £6,000 per annum
child tax credits £11,000
working tax credits £2,000

so as a family they were receiving £19,000 per annum

Did they not have life insurance especially as his wife did not work?

his wife has 2 children under 16 years old
and 2 children over 16 years old in ft education

so they were getting £13000 per annum and he was working for £6,000 per annum

His wife is 41 years old, what type of work did she do before having the kids? She would have been approx 24 years old before she had her family, what type of work did she do from 16 years old to 24 years old?

Cannot the 2 children over 16 years old get some kind of work after school and help out, and if the other 2 children are over 5 years old she should look for work herself. If she is not qualified in any type of work may be she should get work in a supermarket or as a cleaner to fit in with the school hours.

I am sorry for your loss but it happens to be a harsh world out there and I do not know what help with regards to benefits she would get.

My sister in law suddenly lost her husband at 47 years old, she had to go back to work 2 weeks later to provide for her 3 children who happened to go to private school. Everybody was shocked but it was better in the end because she was providing for her children, she did not fall apart and expect the benefits to provide for her, I am very proud of her.

The widow is not aware of any life insurance, I will ask the cab firm if they had anything. And of course go through the paperwork.

The widow used to be a seamstress long ago, she will definitely have to spend some time training, tthe most likely job is probably clerical/administration jobs that require computer skills which she hasn't got

fabforty

I am sorry for your loss, it must have been a terrible shock for you all.


Unfortunately these are the stories which highlight the down side of the benefit system, which too often goes unnoticed. A reliance on low wages or barely making it self-employed 'wages', and huge tax credit top ups which when it ends for whatever reason, leaves people struggling and floundering. I assumed the children were going to be very young, but with four children in secondary school - there really is no reason why mum couldn't work before, or even work now.


Perhaps in the long term, encouraging her in that direction (towards work and self-sufficiency), as opposed to the other suggestion of giving her £x every month indefinitely, would be more beneficial. If she becomes reliant on you or your family members, what happens if/when you are unable to help - she's back to square one. Basic computer skills are not difficult to pick up - the chances are that the family already use computers or laptops at home, and other jobs such as shop work for example usually require no previous experience.
At the moment your priority as a family is grieving and getting through this horrible time - I hope that my post didn't sound like a dig, because it wasn't - just a view on how you might help her better in the long term.

oldhand

So sorry for your loss,cant help with benefit figures but just wanted to say how good it is to read of a thoroughly decent family who are willing to take on one of his children each or contribute 200 per month to help his widow.At times like this when her whole worlds fallen apart and the future seems bleak its heartening to read of a caring family like your own.
I can only hope and pray with your help she will be able to eventually pick up the pieces of her life and move on to better times ahead..Good luck...

Topcat1982

londonTiger wrote: »

age 12 gcse
age 16 gcse
age 17 a levels
age 18 ft college course. not entirely sure

OK so too old for income support. The lady, in that case, will claim jobseekers allowance, when she feels ready.

Hopefully the three adult children can get part time jobs, it won't affect JSA and tax credits.

londonTiger

fabforty wrote: »

I am sorry for your loss, it must have been a terrible shock for you all.


Unfortunately these are the stories which highlight the down side of the benefit system, which too often goes unnoticed. A reliance on low wages or barely making it self-employed 'wages', and huge tax credit top ups which when it ends for whatever reason, leaves people struggling and floundering. I assumed the children were going to be very young, but with four children in secondary school - there really is no reason why mum couldn't work before, or even work now.


Perhaps in the long term, encouraging her in that direction (towards work and self-sufficiency), as opposed to the other suggestion of giving her £x every month indefinitely, would be more beneficial. If she becomes reliant on you or your family members, what happens if/when you are unable to help - she's back to square one. Basic computer skills are not difficult to pick up - the chances are that the family already use computers or laptops at home, and other jobs such as shop work for example usually require no previous experience.
At the moment your priority as a family is grieving and getting through this horrible time - I hope that my post didn't sound like a dig, because it wasn't - just a view on how you might help her better in the long term.

No your advise is sensible and I we will help my brothers widow to transition to employment. My only concern is the council. There are a lot of costs, she is in receipt of housing benefit and council tax beenfit and we need to sort everything out so she receives housing benefit and cuncil tax benefit right now.

Is she entitled to receive housing benefit from the windowed parents allowance and child tax credit as her only source of income or does she need to be in jobseekers allowance to be entitled to it.

She has little to no practical skills for the modern day and I fear she will just get sanctioned in jsa soon after signing on.

Poppie68

She could put in a claim for ESA which will give her some breathing space and give her time to make a plan for her future...As she is on a low income she should be able to make a claim for HB benefit straight away...

missbiggles1

Poppie68 wrote: »

She could put in a claim for ESA which will give her some breathing space and give her time to make a plan for her future...As she is on a low income she should be able to make a claim for HB benefit straight away...

Nothing that the OP has posted would suggest that she's ill or disabled and so eligible for ESA.

nannytone_2

missbiggles1 wrote: »

Nothing that the OP has posted would suggest that she's ill or disabled and so eligible for ESA.

if she is taking the bereavement badly ( and who wouldn't) then ESA is a viable alternative in the short term...
or do you think she should be ready to work within days?

Poppie68

missbiggles1 wrote: »

Nothing that the OP has posted would suggest that she's ill or disabled and so eligible for ESA.

I'm sure extreme stress for one thing is something the SIL is experiencing, if the doctor is willing to give a fit note then it will be decided by the DWP if she qualifies for ESA or not.....