Help with benefits once parent dies

Mick1234

Hi it’s my first item posting and I’m after some advice as I’m not sure what would happen/ what I would/wouldn’t be able to get help with. My mum is on end of life and there is me I’m 20 and my sister who is 16 I work full time and we all currently live in a rented house through one of my mums friends. We haven’t got any other family so ill be responsible for helping/looking after my sister she starts college in less than a month and I wouldn’t want her being forced to get a job I want her to have her education just like I did.

Now my main problem is I currently have not moved up far enough in the company I work for to earn a good wage to support us both is their any help I could get to offer us that bit of extra support that I’m going to need. Like would I be able to claim tax credits Once my mum passes as her guardian becuase she will still be in full time education or is that unrealistic. Now my mums friend has been understanding and becuase she knows what we are going through has offered us 2 months rent free once she passes on the basis that I will have something in place once the 2 months is up becuase she isn’t made of money and could afford to let us live there rent free nor would I expect that.

I’m just after some advice as my head of being pulled in all different directions and I honestly don’t know what to do once it happens thanks for taking your time to read this.

Mrsn

Will you become the official guardian for your sister? That will make the difference as to what benefits/help you will be able to get.

You are so young to have so much going on, I’m so sorry to hear of your situation. There will be more knowledgeable people along soon I’m sure but good luck with everything and take care of yourself

huckster

It would not be tax credits, as Universal Credit (UC) has replaced this.

You could claim UC now as a single person, but probably no point as your employment earnings could mean that no UC payment would be due. Standard allowance rate is £251.55, but if you earn from employment more than about £400 a month the deduction for earnings would mean NIL UC award.

On your Mums passing, will you officially be registered as your Sisters legal guardian and be able to claim child benefit for your Sister while she still remains in education ? Your nearest Citizens Advice should be able to advise on the process.

On your Mums passing, you should look at claiming UC, but you should prepare for this. The current house you rent needs to be affordable and there must be a tenancy agreement in place. You can include the Housing rent costs under a UC claim, but the private rent will be subject to Local Housing Allowance (google search Local Housing Allowance and see how much a 2 bedroom rate would be in your postcode area). As it would be yourself and Sister, you would be restricted to 2 bedroom rate. Can you afford the current rent ?

If you use an online benefits calculator such as entitledto ( search for entitledto website ) and enter your details, as if you were the legal guardian of your Sister, see how much any UC payment would be. Remember to include the housing costs and your employment earnings.

The future UC award might include Standard allowance for yourself, housing rent, child element for your sister and then be subject to a deduction for your earnings. Using an online benefits calculator would give you an idea of possible UC award.

If you rent from your Mums friend, your Mums friend would need to supply a tenancy agreement, if you wanted to include housing under the UC claim. So make sure it is affordable and Mums friend is happy to rent to you longer than 2 months. If not, you would need to search for other housing options.

I hope this gives you an idea about way forward. It might be advisable to book an appointment with nearest Citizens Advice and talk to them about best way to proceed.

xylophone

This must be a worrying and distressing time.

Has your mother made a will appointing you as legal guardian of your sister?

https://www.co-oplegalservices.co.uk/media-centre/articles-jan-apr-2017/choosing-a-legal-guardian-for-your-children/

Make an appointment with CAB as soon as you can to discuss your situation and get advice.

NeilCr

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/about-us/contact-us/contact-us/search-for-your-local-citizens-advice/

TELLIT01

Mick1234, I just wanted to say that you are showing incredible maturity for one so young. All I can do is agree with other suggestions about contacting CAB to find out what assistance may be available.

Mick1234

Thank you everyone for your advice and helpful information yes I will be made the guardian of my sister once my mum passes I’ve booked an appointment with citizens advice for Thursday as that’s the earliest I can book of work for a few hours. Yes it’s very stressful but I’m sure I will figure something out once I’ve got some advice again i would just like to say thank you for your help

xylophone

I hope that you get all the assistance, support and benefits to which you are entitled.

DCFC79

Sorry to hear of your situation, 1 thing that wont happen is your sister being forced to get a job, shes 16 and in education.
There is help out there for you and your sister.

Its terrible its something your going through and what will happen in the future.

I hope you get the benefits you need.

Mick1234

Thank you for everyone’s help my appointments tomorrow so hopefully I will know where I stand and everything will be a lot clearer.

xylophone

It is good to hear that you were able to obtain the appointment so quickly.