Elderly parent and her adult son living at home due to health, how much housekeeping ?

BensonBooga

So this questions is about my adult brother and mother, I am just curious if what is being paid is about right.

So my brother currently lives at home with our 83 year old mother in her house, just the two of them. He is currently not working due to health issues. He gets UC of £823 a month but no other benefits, so that is total income (no housing benefit, no PIP, etc).

House mortgage is ready paid off, so no rent, no council tax due to my mother being on pension credit. He buys all his own food and clothes, nothing is asked of her (no phone costs, no cooking, etc). He only costs her electricity, water, and gas. She charges him £30 a week. Does that sound about right and a fair amount ? Or too little or too much ? 

Ms_Chocaholic

What if any care does he provide to your mother? Is she frail and needs support with attending appointments and buying groceries etc.  If so this needs to be also taken into account.

otb666

With fuel costs and water increases I would say 50 pw nearer.  Why dont  you just half the household bills.  Also with the council tax check with council the exemption to council tax still apply.  Also although its great for your mum to have the extra support its alot for your brother to take on and may stop him from living his life to the full and may regret it later on. 

Muttleythefrog

Too little maybe if council tax costs involved too... but we can't see the figures

kinger101

They are both adults.  If they're both happy with the arrangements, what business is it of yours 

marcia_

kinger101 said:

They are both adults.  If they're both happy with the arrangements, what business is it of yours 

 Definitely a child's business if they believe their elderly parent is being taken advantage of which I think they are 

huckster

Agree £30 per week is too low. I would say between £60 and £80 per week is probably the minimum it should be.

What are the arrangements when your Mother dies? Has she completed legal paperwork required to confirm her wishes? Does your brother get to stay in the house for as long as required? Or does the house have to be sold and estate distributed to those due to inherit? Of course this is up to your Mother, but as a minimum to ensure her wishes are put into action, If she has not obtained advice, then may be she should contact Age UK to ask about local help available.

Grumpy_chap

BensonBooga said:

She charges him £30 a week. Does that sound about right and a fair amount ? Or too little or too much ? 

Initially, that sounds too little.  But, is there a reason behind that?  Maybe Mother has consciously decided to charge low so that the son can save and return to finding his own, independent way forward.

Is the Son providing care for the Mother?
Are the Son's health issues such that he is unlikely to recover and, in effect, Mother is his carer?

BensonBooga said:

no council tax due to my mother being on pension credit. 

Does that still hold now that the Son, who I understand would be classed as a non-dependant, has moved in?
This link suggests that may not be the case:

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/scotland/benefits/help-if-on-a-low-income/help-with-your-council-tax-council-tax-reduction-s/applying-for-council-tax-reduction-s/council-tax-reduction-income-when-the-pension-age-rules-are-used-s/

If you get the guarantee part of Pension Credit

Your income and capital is ignored and you'll be entitled to maximum Council Tax Reduction (CTR) if you or your partner gets:

• the guarantee part of Pension Credit

• both the guarantee part and the savings part.

There might be a deduction for any non-dependants who live in your household. 

As an aside, have they both reviewed a benefits calculator since their circumstances changed and checked they are receiving all the correct (and no incorrect) benefits?  Have they considered Carer's Allowance / Attendance Allowance?

elsien

marcia_ said:

kinger101 said:

They are both adults.  If they're both happy with the arrangements, what business is it of yours 

 Definitely a child's business if they believe their elderly parent is being taken advantage of which I think they are 

I don’t think you could possibly judge that on the extremely limited information given. 

Pollycat

BensonBooga said:

So this questions is about my adult brother and mother, I am just curious if what is being paid is about right.

So my brother currently lives at home with our 83 year old mother in her house, just the two of them. He is currently not working due to health issues. He gets UC of £823 a month but no other benefits, so that is total income (no housing benefit, no PIP, etc).

House mortgage is ready paid off, so no rent, no council tax due to my mother being on pension credit. He buys all his own food and clothes, nothing is asked of her (no phone costs, no cooking, etc). He only costs her electricity, water, and gas. She charges him £30 a week. Does that sound about right and a fair amount ? Or too little or too much ? 

Have you discussed this your Mother?
Has she maybe complained that she's not getting enough money to have her son living with her?
Or has your brother complained that he's paying too much?

Or is it just you getting involved without being asked?

In any case, this is not a benefits question.
It belongs on Marriage, relationships and families board.

born_again

BensonBooga said:

So this questions is about my adult brother and mother, I am just curious if what is being paid is about right.

So my brother currently lives at home with our 83 year old mother in her house, just the two of them. He is currently not working due to health issues. He gets UC of £823 a month but no other benefits, so that is total income (no housing benefit, no PIP, etc).

House mortgage is ready paid off, so no rent, no council tax due to my mother being on pension credit. He buys all his own food and clothes, nothing is asked of her (no phone costs, no cooking, etc). He only costs her electricity, water, and gas. She charges him £30 a week. Does that sound about right and a fair amount ? Or too little or too much ? 

In reality if that is all your mother is asking, then it's fair.

On council tax, are council aware that brother lives there?