NOW LIVE: The Forum 'Ask An Expert' event. The theme is ENERGY. Please post your questions on bills, switches, alternative fuels etc. Our expert MSE Andrew will answer as many as possible

What can my Mother get?

McClane54
McClane54 Forumite Posts: 276
Part of the Furniture 100 Posts Combo Breaker
Forumite
Hi All,

What can my mum get? if any help? Everyone seems to get it somthing, but not her :(:neutral:

My father passed away last year and since then my mother has started to struggle with bills and food etc. She lives in her own mortgage free house and has her private pension and half of my dads private pension totaling £453 Monthly, that's it!

She's not at retirement age yet and still has 16months to go .. but is unable to work as he's been off for the last 8 years having had a head injury in work which changed who she was, even now she's a lot better, her head gets tired and she wouldn't be able to work full time. she tried a job at card factory for a few hours every other day but found it too much. When she becomes pension age at December 2024 she'll be fine - but she needs help from now till then

Anyone have any advice? We don't want to sell the house or take any money out of it. 
«1

Comments

  • Brie
    Brie Forumite Posts: 7,423
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    Forumite
    "Never retract, never explain, never apologise; get things done and let them howl.”

    2023 £1 a day  £553.26/365
  • elsien
    elsien Forumite Posts: 31,101
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Forumite
    edited 26 June at 1:12PM
    She’s not going to get housing benefit if she’s mortgage free. She may be eligible for universal credit - has she tried putting her circumstances into one of the benefit calculator?
    https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/universal-credit-if-you-have-a-disability-or-health-condition-quick-guide/universal-credit-if-you-have-a-disability-or-health-condition
    She would be expected to look for Work, unless she can get a fit note off her doctor and pass the low work capability requirement exemption. Has she seen a GP about her issues - I’m presuming so, so she would have evidence to support with this. 
    Has she also applied for the single persons council tax discount, and she could also see whether her low income qualifies her for any council tax benefit - that would be a application to her local council rather than the DWP?


    All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well.

    Pedant alert - it's could have, not could of.
  • J63320
    J63320 Forumite Posts: 98
    10 Posts First Anniversary Name Dropper
    Forumite
    Has she applied for Bereavement Support Payments? How much she might get depends on how long it is since your father died, so if she hasn’t applied yet she should do so asap. 
  • McClane54
    McClane54 Forumite Posts: 276
    Part of the Furniture 100 Posts Combo Breaker
    Forumite
    J63320 said:
    Has she applied for Bereavement Support Payments? How much she might get depends on how long it is since your father died, so if she hasn’t applied yet she should do so asap. 

    Yes we managed to get that. Dad worked from 16 at sea so had the full payments which end this month :( Thank you
  • McClane54
    McClane54 Forumite Posts: 276
    Part of the Furniture 100 Posts Combo Breaker
    Forumite
    Brie said:
    Yes, thank you for that. usully nothing . both parents worked all thier life and (not mum for the last few years) and never claimed a thing.

  • McClane54
    McClane54 Forumite Posts: 276
    Part of the Furniture 100 Posts Combo Breaker
    Forumite
    Thank you for all the replies, we've managed to get the 25% reduction in council tax as a single person.


  • freesha
    freesha Forumite Posts: 322
    Part of the Furniture 100 Posts Name Dropper
    Forumite
    Did she not claim child benefit or family allowance as it was called? Everyone always says 'never claimed a penny' but in reality they did.
  • McClane54
    McClane54 Forumite Posts: 276
    Part of the Furniture 100 Posts Combo Breaker
    Forumite
    elsien said:
    She’s not going to get housing benefit if she’s mortgage free. She may be eligible for universal credit - has she tried putting her circumstances into one of the benefit calculator?
    https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/universal-credit-if-you-have-a-disability-or-health-condition-quick-guide/universal-credit-if-you-have-a-disability-or-health-condition
    She would be expected to look for Work, unless she can get a fit note off her doctor and pass the low work capability requirement exemption. Has she seen a GP about her issues - I’m presuming so, so she would have evidence to support with this. 
    Has she also applied for the single persons council tax discount, and she could also see whether her low income qualifies her for any council tax benefit - that would be a application to her local council rather than the DWP?



    Thank you. I think the only option would be to go down the route of a fit note from the doctor. We managed to get the council tax reduction. i think we will try for the council tax benifit next too . thank you
  • Misslayed
    Misslayed Forumite, Senior Ambassador Posts: 13,317
    Eighth Anniversary 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Senior Ambassador
    The work related injury may entitle her to industrial injuries benefit? Or PIP?
    I’m a Senior Forum Ambassador and I support the Forum Team on the Competition Time, Site Feedback and Marriage, Relationships and Families boards. If you need any help on these boards, do let me know. Please note that Ambassadors are not moderators. Any posts you spot in breach of the Forum Rules should be reported via the report button, or by emailing [email protected] All views are my own and not the official line of Money Saving Expert.
  • sheramber
    sheramber Forumite Posts: 17,496
    Ninth Anniversary 10,000 Posts I've been Money Tipped! Name Dropper
    Forumite
    Have you looked at whether your mother could claim PIP?

    https://www.gov.uk/pip
Meet your Ambassadors

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 338.8K Banking & Borrowing
  • 248.6K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 447.6K Spending & Discounts
  • 230.7K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 600.8K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 171K Life & Family
  • 244K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 15.9K Discuss & Feedback
  • 15.1K Coronavirus Support Boards