Benefits for my Mum (recent widow)

wwfwilla

Hi,
In the former household was my Mum (62), Dad (65) and brother (36).
Brother is working full time (close to minimum wage)
My Dad had Parkinson's for the past 12 years. He took ill health retirement and was receiving the maximum PIP and around £1000 per month from his work pensions.
My Mum has always been a housewife. When my Dad was working she'd be at home. When my Dad had to retire they were getting just about enough money to get by on.
Around a year or more ago my Dad's health worsened and my Mum became his full-time carer and claimed carer's allowance. She could have became his carer sooner but despite doing most tasks for him she felt it was 'housewife duties'. Only when he struggled to get up or dress himself did she claim for Carer's.
I get the feeling they could have claimed more benefits as they only had the maximum PIP and Carer's Allowance but were getting by so didn't want the hassle of paperwork and appointments etc.
Unfortunately last month my Dad died (suddenly and unexpectedly). This has put a stop to all incoming money at the moment.
We believe my Mum may get a portion of his work pension but her income is now zero. My Brother's job pays just above minimum wage and won't be enough to pay the bills.
We can't afford the funeral costs as there were no savings etc.
I'd purchased a house in March of this year and spent my savings on furniture and doing it up.
Fortunately the funeral directors did point us in the direction of bereavement support payments. I'm not sure we can claim part of it as my parents never claimed the benefits that are required (despite most likely being entitled to them).

My current worry is that the household income has drastically been cut and household bills and food can't be afforded after this month. My mum is 62 and hasn't been in work for 23 years but I get the feeling that she won't get any money unless she throws herself into getting a job head on. It's frustrating that they could have most likely been claiming hundreds more but now she is completely broke and may have to bend over backwards to find work at 62 despite only having my Dad's funeral 3 days ago.

I know you don't get money for nothing and it's unfair for her to be paid to be at home but it upsets me they've been fair and honest and not asked for more but in her time of need and being close to retirement age it looks like she'll have to give more than ever before.

If anyone can offer any advice or what she might be able to claim for then I would really appreciate it. I'm worried about maintaining a quality of life for her. She is really worrying about money.
Thank you.

Torry_Quine

https://www.gov.uk/bereavement-support-payment is the first one she should claim

Carers allowance should continue for 8 weeks after a death.
There's also Universal Credit which is means tested. 

poppy12345

Sorry for your loss.

Does she rent or own her home? If she rents then Universal Credit can be claimed, which will include help with the rent. As she has a non dependant at home there will be a deduction of £75 per month for this.

If she has a health condition that affects her ability to work then she will need to report the health condition when she claims UC and get a fit note (sick note) from her GP.

The bereavement support payment will not affect any UC entitlement she may have.

If she receives any of your dads pension then this may affect any entitlement to UC but i'm unsure of that but others will know for sure.

Rubyroobs

If your mum makes a claim for Universal credit she may still be able to apply for a DWP funeral grant on the basis of having made the Uc application. However they may also look at whether other close relatives have the means to pay for the funeral. make sure she saves all invoices etc in case she makes a claim.
It is unlikely they would have missed out on other benefits with £1000 a month of private pension.

calcotti

If she claims Universal Credit she will eventually be expected to look for work but there will be no requirements to do so for six months from the date of death.

tacpot12

In the longer-term, you should also help your Mum check her state pension entitlement. Taking some part-time work and paying some NI contributions could improve her final state pension somewhat. She could also defer her state pension in order to increase the amount she is paid.

In the very short term, you are right to worry about how the bills get paid as Universal Credit (UC) usually takes about six weeks to be paid. Your mother will be able to get an advance on her UC payment after two weeks if she needs some money that quickly. However, the advance is a loan and has to be repaid out of future UC payments so she will receive a bit less each month until the advance is paid off. 

Realistically, if there is not enough money to pay the bills this month, some bills will have to go unpaid, and arrangements made to repay the arrears when your mother is receiving UC on a regular basis. The creditors should be understanding given her recent breavement. You may be able to help clear some arrears now that your house move is done. Your brother should consider seeking better paid work so that he can contribute more to the costs of running the house he lives in.

wwfwilla

Hi everyone.
Thanks for your comments so far.
It looks like I will need to get a claim for UC sorted for my mum straightaway.

I believe my mum may get a percentage of one of my dads pensions as an ongoing monthly widows pension. They are sending us the forms to fill in but I’m assuming it’ll be a few weeks before we know if and how much she’ll get. I guess all I can do is update UC details at this later point.

I’ve checked her NI details previously and she only has about half the years needed for state pension. The carers allowance was giving her additional years but that’ll stop.

My brother has Aspergers (and trying not to insult him) he can’t really do high skilled jobs so will never be earning loads of money. He recently went full time in a new job and will get a small raise after his 6-month probation period.

I’m already buying the majority of food but I don’t have much spare money so half the time I’m using a credit card which thankfully is interest free for another 16 months.

We will just have to look at the finances and budget and start trimming things where we can from now onwards I suppose. We’ll get by in the end I suppose.

calcotti

Be aware that any pension income will be deducted in full from the UC payable. 
Mum will get NI credits towards future pension while claiming UC.

Rubyroobs

If she applies for universal credit she should not be made to look for work immediately. I believe there should be easements of work commitments for 6 months after bereavement of a close relative.
She should apply for Bereavement support payment and universal credit straight away. 

calcotti

Rubyroobs said:

If she applies for universal credit she should not be made to look for work immediately. I believe there should be easements of work commitments for 6 months after bereavement of a close relative.. 

see my earlier reply

calcotti said:

If she claims Universal Credit she will eventually be expected to look for work but there will be no requirements to do so for six months from the date of death.

wwfwilla

Hi everyone.
Sorry to bump this topic back up but I have a question based on your responses above.
My mum had her first interview in person at the JobCentre and she explained everything and it was a very emotional affair that even had the interviewer reaching for the tissues.
But in summary she’s been told to look for work and is having a review meeting soon to discuss how she has been getting on.
Is the 6 months grace you speak of set in stone? Should she ask for some grace at her review?
I’m worried she’ll turn up to her review and get told off or even sanctioned.

Thanks again