can't afford to live on SSP

Placitasgirl

I'm assuming from your post that neither of your parents has cover for Accident, Sickness or Unemployment? That's a real oversight given the level of their income. Not judging, just stating a fact.

Although it wouldn't help in the current situation, it would be very wise for them to consider taking this out for future cover, as if their income is at this level but they have no savings to draw on should they be unable to work or find themselves unemployed at any stage in the future.

pmlindyloo

Your parents need to apply for housing benefit and council tax deduction. Forms can be obtained from your local council.

The amount of housing benefit paid will be assessed on the present rent rather than the local housing allowance amount as, in these circumstances, there is a 13 week protection (given if they haven't claimed HB in the last 52 weeks and could afford the rent when they took on the tenancy)

This 13 week protection is given so that your parents have time to return to work.

As already said, there will be a non dependent deduction applied for both housing benefit and council tax deduction and you should be paying, at least, that amount.

https://england.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/housing_benefit_and_local_housing_allowance/applying_for_housing_benefit/housing_benefit_when_other_adults_live_in_your_home

You can look up the amount of CT reduction on your local council website.

Your parents need to speak to the utility companies (see if they have built up any credit, for example) explain the situation and ask for a reduced payment.

Any other creditors can also be informed and they can be put on a token payment until they go back to work.

The amount they receive can then be used for the necessities - food/travelling etc.

With careful planning and your help they should manage OK.

The amount they are receiving is more than they would get on JSA so it can be done and, for them, it is hopefully going to be a temporary situation.

[Deleted User]

Please understand, its not judgement, its trying to help. In these situations when there is no clear return to work date, and not enough money is coming in, everything has to be considered. Querying savings is apt because even without the illnesses that caused interruptions to earnings, they are of an age where savings will become more and more important.

There is a lot they can do to help themselves, and yes I am afraid that does include looking at outgoings, which bills are more important than others, and also includes looking at what is spent on things like food. When my money was halved, I paid rent before everything else, and reduced what I spent on food. Everything else had to wait except for real essentials. I'm afraid benefits are never going to be the same as your parents previous earnings, so cut backs WILL have to be made.

I hope you are having some success investigating what HLA can be paid.

I might have missed it, but it might be worth looking to see if pensions can be drawn on as suggested earlier.