Entitled to benefits looking after disabled husband?

Pa_Ja

Thanks for taking the time to read; I hope someone can point me in the right direction.

My father suffered a stroke and is mostly blind, suffers from fatigue and can’t do much. My mother is knocking on 60, works full time and the weight of the situation has taken its toll and she’s exhausted. She’s looking to drop 1 day, possibly 2 at work so she can care for my father and all other things domestic.
Similarly, she couldn’t afford to drop much by way of income therefore I’m asking would she be entitled to any benefit/carer’s allowance or other forms of income support?

Darksparkle

Does your father receive any disability benefits?

Pa_Ja

I don't think that he does. I'm sure they were told that as my mother worked she was to financially support him.

What would be the answer in a yes or no situation out of curiosity?

pmlindyloo

The first thing you need to find out is whether your dad receives Disability Living Allowance or Personal Independence Payment or Attendance Allowance.

How old is your dad?

Depending on your dad's age then he could potentially be claiming one of these.

AgeUK are a good source of information so your parents could telephone and ask them to visit to help with exploring entitlement to benefits and to advise on the different options for them.

Much will depend on their financial situation - whether they have savings etc.

Also, they could ask for an adult assessment from social services to find out if they are eligible for any aids etc.

Mojisola

Pa_Ja wrote: »

My father suffered a stroke and is mostly blind, suffers from fatigue and can’t do much.

My mother is knocking on 60, works full time and the weight of the situation has taken its toll and she’s exhausted. She’s looking to drop 1 day, possibly 2 at work so she can care for my father and all other things domestic.

Similarly, she couldn’t afford to drop much by way of income therefore I’m asking would she be entitled to any benefit/carer’s allowance or other forms of income support?

Pa_Ja wrote: »

I don't think that he does. I'm sure they were told that as my mother worked she was to financially support him.

Unless there are issues regarding immigration whereby your father has no recourse to public funds then he should claim benefits.

No-one can get Carer's Allowance unless the person they are caring for is receiving certain benefits.

It would be worth getting help to claim - do they have local support groups? If not, try https://www.stroke.org.uk/finding-support or https://www.rnib.org.uk/our-services

Otherwise, contact their local CAB - https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/

Pa_Ja

Thanks I'll pass this information on.
My father is 60, they live in a council house, always lived in the UK.

Darksparkle

The eligibility for carers allowance is here - https://www.gov.uk/carers-allowance/eligibility

As you can see your father would need to be in receipt of a qualifying disability benefit. DLA/PIP arent means tested.

Other benefits will depend on how many hours your mum works, the household income etc.

Pa_Ja

Update:

Since my original post I've since discovered my father receives around £135 a week in PIP and mobility.
My mother's incomes is around £19k a yr.

fed_up_and_stressed

the Carer's Allowance earnings limit is £116 a week from April 2017 currently even though your father is on PIP her earnings are way too high for eligibility for carers allowance.

bspm

Pa_Ja wrote: »

Update:

Since my original post I've since discovered my father receives around £135 a week in PIP and mobility.
My mother's incomes is around £19k a yr.

You father could possibly claim Contributions based ESA if he qualifies.

Mojisola

Pa_Ja wrote: »

My mother is knocking on 60, works full time

Similarly, she couldn’t afford to drop much by way of income

Pa_Ja wrote: »

my father receives around £135 a week in PIP and mobility.

My mother's incomes is around £19k a yr.

There may be ways to reduce their outgoings so that she can drop her hours.

If they are willing to post an SOA on the Debt Free Board people will make suggestions to help them lower their spending.