My Mom is coming to live with me

sheramber

Does she not have any pension from working in South Africa?

Emmia

Rubyroobs said:

If she doesn't have sufficient Ni contributions for a state pension then it will need to be pension credit she claims. UK citizens aren't just left with nothing.

She's not a UK citizen though. She's an Irish citizen - yes, these have many of the same rights, but not always...

tizerbelle

Cariboudle said:

She is and Irish citizen but has no other income besides what I send.  If we formalised her living with me into a lodger agreement would she get help towards the rent?

I think it unlikely that she would be able to claim any benefits for rent while living with you.  Shelter provides more information here

Yes, you will lose your council tax discount but any rent she does pay you (providing it is less than about £140 a week) will not be taxable as part of the Rent A Room scheme.

My mother lives with me.  She pays a small amount of rent per month to cover a share of bills - we worked it out based on half the annual cost of the electric, gas, water, council tax, broadband & tv package, and tv licence.   She doesn't pay anything toward the mortgage or home maintenance/repairs.

For day to day spending (groceries and the like), we keep a record of who spent what each month that represents "shared" spending - groceries for the house, laundry supplies, etc and then make sure we split those costs evenly between us.  

elsien

Emmia said:

Rubyroobs said:

If she doesn't have sufficient Ni contributions for a state pension then it will need to be pension credit she claims. UK citizens aren't just left with nothing.

She's not a UK citizen though. She's an Irish citizen - yes, these have many of the same rights, but not always...

And if she’s not habitually resident, which clearly she isn’t at the moment, then there isn’t  any entitlement. 

And not being habitually resident would impact on payments towards being a lodger, even if being a lodger with family was allowed when she’s not really a lodger she’s just a family member moving in. 

poppy12345

Cariboudle said:

She is and Irish citizen but has no other income besides what I send.  If we formalised her living with me into a lodger agreement would she get help towards the rent?

Unfortunately, living with you she will not be able to claim for help with any rent. https://england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/benefits/claiming_benefits_if_you_rent_from_family


Renting from a close relative who you live with

If you live in the same home, you cannot get housing related benefits to pay rent to your partner or a close family member.

Close family members are:

• parents - including step parents

• children - including stepchildren

• brothers and sisters - including half siblings but not step siblings

• partners of any of these close relatives

peteuk

Rubyroobs said:

If she doesn't have sufficient Ni contributions for a state pension then it will need to be pension credit she claims. UK citizens aren't just left with nothing.

Not UK citizen, she’s Irish.