Advice needed for my 74 year old mum

cazbarfeatures

Hello,

I am a regular visitor of MSE but it's my first time of posting on this particular section.

I am rather concerned about my mum as she has had some large bills lately and she suffers from slightly (at the moment) high blood pressure.

She reported a smell of gas to British Gas who promptly sent out Transco to assess the problem and switch her off. The taps on her oven (21+ years old) were faulty and her gas fire was leaking. She was told that she would have to buy a new oven, which she has done and the engineer that has come to replace a part on her gas fire including the call out has said that she would be getting a bill for £268. My mum has got quite upset about it as she has only her pension and ultimately I am concerned for her health.

I am planning on giving her a bit of money (I am a part time working mum with a 3 year old at nursery) but it won't be until I have made a bit more on ebay and got my overtime money.

I have a sister and a half brother but because I am the only one local to my mum I am left to help her out in various ways. I do feel a bit resentful sometimes because I feel I can't cope at times, but not towards my Mum of course. I did mention it to my sister recently but she wasn't very supportive.

I just don't know where to turn.

Caz

hardpressed

Don't know anything about the gas bill but wonder if your mum is entitled to Pension Credit?

cazbarfeatures

hardpressed wrote: »

Don't know anything about the gas bill but wonder if your mum is entitled to Pension Credit?

Thanks for your reply.

I have looked into that for her but it turns out that she isn't eligble.

seven-day-weekend

Why is she not eligible for Pension Credit? Is it because her income/savings are too high?

This link may be of use:

http://www.thepensionservice.gov.uk/pensioncredit/entitled.asp

Biggles

seven-day-weekend wrote: »

Why is she not eligible for Pension Credit? Is it because her income/savings are too high?

A very good question. If all she has as income is her pension, she must have £40,000 or more in savings to be ineligible, in which case she could afford the expense fairly easily (unless it's all tucked away where it can't be got at in a hurry).

See the example chart for 'Single people aged 65 & over': http://www.thepensionservice.gov.uk/pensioncredit/guidance-charts.asp#s65

cazbarfeatures

Biggles wrote: »

A very good question. If all she has as income is her pension, she must have £40,000 or more in savings to be ineligible, in which case she could afford the expense fairly easily (unless it's all tucked away where it can't be got at in a hurry).

See the example chart for 'Single people aged 65 & over': http://www.thepensionservice.gov.uk/pensioncredit/guidance-charts.asp#s65

Thank you.

She definitely doesn't have £40k or anything like this. When I last looked it said that if you had more than £135 a week in pensions and £3k in savings you were not entitled to any pension credit. Admitedly I haven't checked for her in a while. I will visit the website and check again for her. Can it be worth that much to her though?

System

It could be you might have to consider a different tactic with your sister in view of your comment:-I have a sister and a half brother but because I am the only one local to my mum I am left to help her out in various ways. I do feel a bit resentful sometimes because I feel I can't cope at times, but not towards my Mum of course. I did mention it to my sister recently but she wasn't very supportive., It is my bet that less than a month ago, your sister welcomed a Christmas present from her/your mum, so has the goodwill gone already?

It may be that you should consider saying to your sister "how are we going to assist mum?" or to your sister "I'm prepared to help you help mum, but can't do much".

Sometimes points have to be exaggerated.

Clearly you have more than enough to cope with tending a three yr old AND working. Are her circumstances much different? Keep us posted.

seven-day-weekend

cazbarfeatures wrote: »

Thank you.

She definitely doesn't have £40k or anything like this. When I last looked it said that if you had more than £135 a week in pensions and £3k in savings you were not entitled to any pension credit. Admitedly I haven't checked for her in a while. I will visit the website and check again for her. Can it be worth that much to her though?

I think the lower limit on savings is £6000, but she may still be eligible for some if she has more than this.

Try www.entitledto.com

cazbarfeatures

islandman wrote: »

It could be you might have to consider a different tactic with your sister in view of your comment:-I have a sister and a half brother but because I am the only one local to my mum I am left to help her out in various ways. I do feel a bit resentful sometimes because I feel I can't cope at times, but not towards my Mum of course. I did mention it to my sister recently but she wasn't very supportive., It is my bet that less than a month ago, your sister welcomed a Christmas present from her/your mum, so has the goodwill gone already?

It may be that you should consider saying to your sister "how are we going to assist mum?" or to your sister "I'm prepared to help you help mum, but can't do much".

Sometimes points have to be exaggerated.

Clearly you have more than enough to cope with tending a three yr old AND working. Are her circumstances much different? Keep us posted.

Thank you so much, I really appreciate your understanding on this issue.

My sis lives in America and has done for nearly 15 years. She is older than me and has 2 older kids. It took a lot of courage for me to say something to her and I haven't spoken to her since following her, basically a fob off.

firesidemaid

it might be worth giving age concern a ring. they are experts on these matters. they also have relaible handymen (not sure about gas engineers though) that the elderly can pay a reasonable rate for.

maybe you could be there to check the bill when the gas person comes round if this is british gas, maybe you can ring them and see if she can get installments.

cazbarfeatures

Age Concern - I never gave them a thought, you are a good bunch on here.

She is definitely not getting pension credit, the extra is her work pension.

I have printed off the on-line application form and I have asked my mum to bring her details around to my house Friday night so we can try again.

Thank you everyone for your support and advice.

When the bill comes through I will guide her on the call she makes to British Gas.