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Helping my mother - long term illness, benefits etc
carnut1234
Posts: 89 Forumite
Hello all,
I’m hoping you might be able to help, maybe advise on what I can do to help my mothers situation.
Over the past 4 years my mother has really struggled with her health. She was diagnosed with Kidney cancer 4 years ago at the age of 53. following an operation to remove her kidney she had received the all clear that the cancer was defeated.
However complications with the surgery meant my mother then struggled with a severe hernia and other issues. Meaning between 18 months she only worked a handful of weeks.
since this my mother also struggles with severe sleep apnoea, fibromyalgia and more recently has been diagnosed with cervical spondylosis. Due to this she is on quite a bit of pain medicine however the conditions means that she has constant pain, poor mobility, extreme tiredness and issues with her mental processes so concentration and memory are affected. She struggles with severe depression which she has been on medication for 3 years and has a lot of anxiety. She also receives a minimal help with the depression and does attend some sessions.
This has meant that she hasn’t worked for the last 12 months at all but in total over 4 years she has probably worked 6 months or so on and off.
Due to the deterioration of her health she was very lucky to be offered a council house nearer to myself and brothers so we can help her. This meant an almost 200 mile move but it was certainly for the best.
So down to the main issues.
she’s currently still employed, she has been with her employer for 24 years and she receives a basic amount of sick pay. They are aware of her move and would be able to transfer her to a store nearer to where she lives. However the fact she has been signed off and is unable to work she is still employed by the branch she used to live near.
she also receives universal credit. The total amount of her universal credit and sick pay totals £713 a month.
I went through a financial plan with her and totalling up her bills which left her with £60 a month. her bills consist of rent, council tax, gas/electric, broadband, car insurance and mobile phone.
£60 a month is then free to pay for food, toiletries etc etc which I think we can all agree is not enough.
I had pushed my mum to apply for PIP which she has been assessed at home. she’s received the report and they declined the application. The report was somewhat laughable and I’m not sure where and how the person came to the conclusions she did. Comments such as walking the dog twice a day for 2 miles and being a keen gardener. Saying that my mother was of perfect health, her BMI was perfect etc.
So my mother is 5ft 2 and weighs 18 stone. This has increased over the years due to her mobility and ill health, she is no way near perfect bmi. My mother unfortunately doesn't walk the dog and on a good day she drives to a field around the corner and lets the dog out. This is now to the point where we may re home the dog as it’s not fair but at the same time my mother is losing her only companion. The only other option is for me to pay for a dog walker which I’m sure currently money is better spent elsewhere.
Again my mother doesn’t touch the communal garden, I currently mow the grass etc so again not quite sure where these things came from. However essentially the report counteracts every part which my mother struggles with.
We have appealed with most points and providing evidence, medical reports etc.
So we are currently stuck.
My mother does have a car worth £3000 which we are considering selling to help with bills however this will massively reduce her ability to go anywhere. This would save the £25 a month on car insurance and fuel expenses even though it is very low. My mother does live in a remote village maybe 6-8 miles from the nearest town. Public transport is available even though limited however it would mean my mother would have to walk further which is ofcourse an issue.
I’m not quite sure what else to do. I may be able to help in a small way to subsidise my mother but I’m still concerned this won’t be enough.
Are we missing something, is my mother still being employed hindering her benefits at all.
Sorry for the long winded message but any information, advice would be very much appreciated.
regards
Daniel
I’m hoping you might be able to help, maybe advise on what I can do to help my mothers situation.
Over the past 4 years my mother has really struggled with her health. She was diagnosed with Kidney cancer 4 years ago at the age of 53. following an operation to remove her kidney she had received the all clear that the cancer was defeated.
However complications with the surgery meant my mother then struggled with a severe hernia and other issues. Meaning between 18 months she only worked a handful of weeks.
since this my mother also struggles with severe sleep apnoea, fibromyalgia and more recently has been diagnosed with cervical spondylosis. Due to this she is on quite a bit of pain medicine however the conditions means that she has constant pain, poor mobility, extreme tiredness and issues with her mental processes so concentration and memory are affected. She struggles with severe depression which she has been on medication for 3 years and has a lot of anxiety. She also receives a minimal help with the depression and does attend some sessions.
This has meant that she hasn’t worked for the last 12 months at all but in total over 4 years she has probably worked 6 months or so on and off.
Due to the deterioration of her health she was very lucky to be offered a council house nearer to myself and brothers so we can help her. This meant an almost 200 mile move but it was certainly for the best.
So down to the main issues.
she’s currently still employed, she has been with her employer for 24 years and she receives a basic amount of sick pay. They are aware of her move and would be able to transfer her to a store nearer to where she lives. However the fact she has been signed off and is unable to work she is still employed by the branch she used to live near.
she also receives universal credit. The total amount of her universal credit and sick pay totals £713 a month.
I went through a financial plan with her and totalling up her bills which left her with £60 a month. her bills consist of rent, council tax, gas/electric, broadband, car insurance and mobile phone.
£60 a month is then free to pay for food, toiletries etc etc which I think we can all agree is not enough.
I had pushed my mum to apply for PIP which she has been assessed at home. she’s received the report and they declined the application. The report was somewhat laughable and I’m not sure where and how the person came to the conclusions she did. Comments such as walking the dog twice a day for 2 miles and being a keen gardener. Saying that my mother was of perfect health, her BMI was perfect etc.
So my mother is 5ft 2 and weighs 18 stone. This has increased over the years due to her mobility and ill health, she is no way near perfect bmi. My mother unfortunately doesn't walk the dog and on a good day she drives to a field around the corner and lets the dog out. This is now to the point where we may re home the dog as it’s not fair but at the same time my mother is losing her only companion. The only other option is for me to pay for a dog walker which I’m sure currently money is better spent elsewhere.
Again my mother doesn’t touch the communal garden, I currently mow the grass etc so again not quite sure where these things came from. However essentially the report counteracts every part which my mother struggles with.
We have appealed with most points and providing evidence, medical reports etc.
So we are currently stuck.
My mother does have a car worth £3000 which we are considering selling to help with bills however this will massively reduce her ability to go anywhere. This would save the £25 a month on car insurance and fuel expenses even though it is very low. My mother does live in a remote village maybe 6-8 miles from the nearest town. Public transport is available even though limited however it would mean my mother would have to walk further which is ofcourse an issue.
I’m not quite sure what else to do. I may be able to help in a small way to subsidise my mother but I’m still concerned this won’t be enough.
Are we missing something, is my mother still being employed hindering her benefits at all.
Sorry for the long winded message but any information, advice would be very much appreciated.
regards
Daniel
0
Comments
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Is she claiming Council Tax Reduction to help with the Council Tax? This can be claimed from her local authority. Rules vary between local authorities. https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/help-if-on-a-low-income/help-with-your-council-tax-council-tax-reduction/
With the PIP I infer you are waiting for a decision on a Mandatory Reconsideration. If this still fails (most do), then go to the next stage and appeal to the tribunal service. Unfortunately there are long delays getting a tribunal hearing but roughly three quarters of appeals are successful.Information I post is for England unless otherwise stated. Some rules may be different in other parts of UK.0 -
Thank you for the response, her council tax is £70 a month which to me sounds reduced but I will certainly pick this up with her.0
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Have you looked into whether she would qualify for a car? I think it's motability.
I don't know whether she would, but worth checking.0 -
carnut1234 wrote: »Thank you for the response, her council tax is £70 a month which to me sounds reduced but I will certainly pick this up with her.
If she lives alone she should be getting a 25% discount which reduces the liability. Council Tax Reduction is a means tested benefit which helps meet the liability by applying a credit to the bill.Information I post is for England unless otherwise stated. Some rules may be different in other parts of UK.0 -
Have you looked into whether she would qualify for a car? I think it's motability.
I don't know whether she would, but worth checking.
She needs to be getting PIP mobility to qualify for Motability. OP says that PIP application has been refused.Information I post is for England unless otherwise stated. Some rules may be different in other parts of UK.0 -
Has she had a Work Capability Assessment for her UC? If so what was the outcome? If not she should provide DWP with Fit Notes and request a WCA. If found to have Limited Capability for Work and Work Related Activity she would get extra money in the UC award.Information I post is for England unless otherwise stated. Some rules may be different in other parts of UK.0
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Have you looked into whether she would qualify for a car? I think it's motability.
I don't know whether she would, but worth checking.
I believe this is available for people on Pip but at a certain level.
Receiving pip first would be the goal, this should cover everything she needs. Doing the application and getting accepted is a whole different story.0 -
She is currently waiting for this assessment and we have chased.
I would imagine that if they do believe that she has limited capability this would also add further proof to the PIP Claim0 -
carnut1234 wrote: »I would imagine that if they do believe that she has limited capability this would also add further proof to the PIP Claim
The tests are separate and do differ so this doesn’t necessarily follow.
If she is found to have Limited Capability for Work this does not give her any extra money in UC
If she is found to have Limited Capability for Work and Work Related Activity this is worth an extra £336.20/month and if she still receives sick pay the first £287/month will be ignored completely.Information I post is for England unless otherwise stated. Some rules may be different in other parts of UK.0 -
the other part that is confusing me is that she scored 0 on the pip report. Now ive seen the pip questions and assessment and scoring which is so generic I can see why lots of people receive 0 points.
my mothers mobility in all honestly is shocking. Walking from her ground floor flat to the car is an effort.
She uses a chair when preparing food etc as standing for 10 mins plus is very uncomfortable and hurts her back.
Just those basics alone impact her life so much that certainly i cant see her working anytime soon.
But with those silly generic questions how is she ever to receive any points.
its such a backwards system with no support to people. An hour assessment asking a couple of basic questions can determine someones ability to afford to live or not.
I can only see that unless you are on the absolute extreme with mobility or mental health I dont see pip working.0
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