benefit for a widow

Darksparkle

missbiggles1 wrote: »

Bereavement isn't an illness and it's an insult to try to medicalise it in this way.

(And, before you put your foot in it even more, my husband died in October, so I'm speaking from experience.)

Bereavement in itself isn't an illness but depression from that bereavement could be.

I don't know anyone who has been able to go back to work after a week when a spouse has died.

seven-day-weekend

Eventually however, the lady will have to look for work. Maybe she could use the intervening times to try to update her skills?

Miss Biggles, so sorry for your loss .:(

missbiggles1

Darksparkle wrote: »

Bereavement in itself isn't an illness but depression from that bereavement could be.

I don't know anyone who has been able to go back to work after a week when a spouse has died.

Indeed it could, but the OP hasn't suggested that the widow is clinically depressed - grieving after a bereavement isn't depression. Neither is she already employed so the question of returning to work quickly doesn't arise.

missbiggles1

seven-day-weekend wrote: »

Eventually however, the lady will have to look for work. Maybe she could use the intervening times to try to update her skills?

Miss Biggles, so sorry for your loss .:(

Thank you.:)

Darksparkle

missbiggles1 wrote: »

Indeed it could, but the OP hasn't suggested that the widow is clinically depressed - grieving after a bereavement isn't depression. Neither is she already employed so the question of returning to work quickly doesn't arise.

But she may not yet be in a position to claim for JSA, which is why ESA was suggested.

seven-day-weekend

Darksparkle wrote: »

But she may not yet be in a position to claim for JSA, which is why ESA was suggested.

But you have to be ill to claim ESA, not just apply for it because you can't have another Benefit.

Unless the OP is ill, with medical certification, then JSA is the way to go.

missbiggles1

Darksparkle wrote: »

But she may not yet be in a position to claim for JSA, which is why ESA was suggested.

She doesn't need to apply for either - she should be claiming the appropriate benefit which is WPA.

missbiggles1

londonTiger wrote: »

We will apply for this, however I think the child tax credits, child benefit (old system), housing benefit and wpa exceeds benefit cap. Also I spoke to a benefits officer who said wpa is not a source of income that makes you eeligible for housing benefit. It can only be claimed by esa, jsa, income support and proof of low income such as payslips or self employment income

From the Citizens Advice website.

"Help for people on a low income

You may be able to get means-tested benefits when you are a widow, widower or surviving civil partner if you do not have much money coming in and you meet the other qualifying conditions. For example, you may be entitled to Working Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, Housing Benefit, Council Tax Reduction (Rate Relief in Northern Ireland), Income Support or income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance.

If you are getting Bereavement Allowance, it is fully taken into account for these benefits. If you are getting Widowed Parent’s Allowance, part of it will be disregarded before it affects means-tested benefits. Bereavement Payment counts as part of your savings for means-tested benefits."

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/bereavement/benefits-and-bereavement/

Darksparkle

seven-day-weekend wrote: »

But you have to be ill to claim ESA, not just apply for it because you can't have another Benefit.

Unless the OP is ill, with medical certification, then JSA is the way to go.

We are giving the OP options. No one is saying if they do or do not qualify.

Never known someone who hasn't had a fit note after a bereavement.

And I already suggested WPA if you read my earlier post. Couldn't see where it said you couldn't claim both.

missbiggles1

Darksparkle wrote: »

We are giving the OP options. No one is saying if they do or do not qualify.

Never known someone who hasn't had a fit note after a bereavement.

And I already suggested WPA if you read my earlier post. Couldn't see where it said you couldn't claim both.

If the OP were to claim ESA then it would be income based (as would JSA) so in either case the WPA would exclude it.

All of the benefits mentioned will be affected by the benefits cap so the simplest thing is to claim WPA which will need no assessment or jobcentre involvement.