Terminally ill brother - Family members in need of advice

Tabbytabitha

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

While the idea of the nieces looking for work sounds good in principle, I'm not sure now is the time and I'd first take up the suggestions of getting their loan re-assessed and looking for additional support through the university on compassionate grounds.

If they do take up jobs, there's likely to be disruption when Dad dies, and when you're still quite new in a job that's not what you need.

That's one of the reasons I suggested shifts with the nursing bank. Not only is it relevant to their futures but you do shifts on an ad hoc basis and they could turn down shifts if there was a crisis of some kind.

Spendless

cyantist wrote: »

I'm very sorry about your brother.

The University I work at has a financial assistance scheme - I am sure every Uni has one so the nieces should definitely apply to this. Obviously getting the loan reassessed would be the first step, as they wouldn't be able to access this fund if they could take out additional loan.

I'm sure they've done this and other people have suggested it as well, but they should definitely tell their personal tutor about the problems. Medicine isn't an easy degree and if there are issues regarding grades at the end of the year then personal circumstances like this can be taken into account.

I've never known of a Uni where you have to stay on campus for the first year - what about students who live at home? However as they will have signed up to live on campus for a year they can't just move out. Potentially swapping to a cheaper one like lika suggested is a great idea they could consider.

And at Universities there are a lot of ways students can make extra money without being tied into a regular job.

I'mnot reading it that way. I'm reading it as the girls have gone to a Uni away from home and often in the first year the students live on campus for the first year.

When we looked round our son's choice we asked if you had to. No you don't have to, as you say some students live at home but finding someone to share with in alternative student accommodation when you don't know anyone would be more difficult that in subsequent years.

I was surprised to discover how expensive campus accommodation was (I was under the impression it was the cheapest!).

It's not made clear to parents about the maintenance loan. The amount the student can borrow is based on the household income. I suspect in this case the parents were high earners enough to mean that the girls only qualified for the minimum maintenance loan which wasn't enough to pay for their accommodation, so to save the having to find work for the first year whilst they settled into their studies, mum and Dad said they'd pay the rent. (we've made exactly this offer to our son due to his loan versus accommodation costs).

We could do with knowing some facts an figures from the OP though.

Amanda65

I'm so sorry to hear about your brother's diagnosis but am sure his family are very grateful to have your support.

He can get a DS1500 form from his GP which will enable him to claim certain benefits such as Attendance Allowance quickly. There's information on the Marie Curie site here https://www.mariecurie.org.uk/help/support/benefits-entitlements/living-with-terminal-illness/special-rules

Your nieces should speak to their uni and advise of the circumstances as many can access grants to assist them. They should also contact Student Finance immediately and get re-assessed.

Finally, depending on the line of work your brother / sister-in-law does or did work in there may be an occupational benevolent fund that could give some financial support. If you want to either message on here or PM me I may be able to point you in the direction of one that can help.

I hope that your family manages to have an enjoyable Christmas and makes lots of memories for the future.

Sirlaughalot

Happy new year guys and thanks for the great help you have given my family

Sirlaughalot

Firstly having been assessed by the NHS enablement team we my brother is indeed entitled to attendance allowance��
My sil has become very stressed out while trying to work and care for my brother so she has reluctantly taken the advice from her nursing colleagues and has taken time of work.
I think my sils income and brothers pension may be above that which allows some kind of extra allowance for their twin daughters at Uni. I’m not sure what that figure should be if any one knows could you please post.
In the meantime I’m trying to cut the cost of the families bills by doing some MSE money saving for them.My Sil has lasting power of attorney but I’m still not sure where their bills are located as this was done by my brother and generally by email that we don’t have access to.
Does the LPOA only come into effect when my brother has left us? Does things like no claims bonus for things like house insurance get transferred to my Sil

Primrose

The LPOA is only valid while your brother in law is alive. It dies with him and any subsequent administration has to be undertaken by the Executor of his Will. I assume he has one? If not this would seem to be an urgent necessity as all kinds of problems could occur if he dies intestate. Solicitors can visit him at home to draw up a will if he is bedridden. If this needs to be done, impress on them them need for speed.

As regards insurance and utilities, these are usually in one person’s name. Can you see the bills? They would normally be addressed to Mr & Mrs xxx for any accounts/utilities/council tax in joint names. If the bills are addressed to Mr X, assume the account is in his name only. Some organisations and utilities will only open accounts In single names. It’s worth contacting them now , explaining the situation and getting the accounts transferred now to the wife,s name to avoid hassle later but probably this can only be done by the person with authority to act for him, ie his wife if she is the named person with Power of Attorney.

Sirlaughalot

Primrose wrote: »

The LPOA is only valid while your brother in law is alive. It dies with him and any subsequent administration has to be undertaken by the Executor of his Will. I assume he has one? If not this would seem to be an urgent necessity as all kinds of problems could occur if he dies intestate. Solicitors can visit him at home to draw up a will if he is bedridden. If this needs to be done, impress on them them need for speed.

As regards insurance and utilities, these are usually in one person’s name. Can you see the bills? They would normally be addressed to Mr & Mrs xxx for any accounts/utilities/council tax in joint names. If the bills are addressed to Mr X, assume the account is in his name only. Some organisations and utilities will only open accounts In single names. It’s worth contacting them now , explaining the situation and getting the accounts transferred now to the wife,s name to avoid hassle later but probably this can only be done by the person with authority to act for him, ie his wife if she is the named person with Power of Attorney.

Thank. My sil has both LPOA and executor responsibility’s

Sirlaughalot

My brother passed away peacefully on Friday with his family by his side.

Our family would like to thank everyone who offered advice, it has been a great help.

I will again be looking to MSE to help guide me through the next process of dealing with death. I would like to put it on record that the MSE site is the most helpful guide to all kinds of issues I have ever been fortunate to use.

Thank you Martin, the MSE team and all the posters

lika_86

So sorry to hear that.

This page is so useful for dealing with the practicalities https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/family/what-to-do-when-someone-dies?_ga=2.67947985.1906825194.1516913965-1095605237.1476312050

Pollycat

Sirlaughalot wrote: »

My brother passed away peacefully on Friday with his family by his side.

Our family would like to thank everyone who offered advice, it has been a great help.

I will again be looking to MSE to help guide me through the next process of dealing with death. I would like to put it on record that the MSE site is the most helpful guide to all kinds of issues I have ever been fortunate to use.

Thank you Martin, the MSE team and all the posters

My condolences.
The 'deaths, funerals, & probate' board may be your best bet for future posts.