Benefits for non-pension age spouse if partner goes into a care home

saltandpepper123 · 11 April 2018 at 4:34PM

I have a worry about my father and step mother; he is retired, she is not yet of pension age (not for a few years). My step mother doesn't work, they have no savings to speak of, and are living off his state pension and a small occupational pension. They live in private rented accommodation and have recently applied for - and been awarded - housing benefit and some council tax relief (pride prevented them from doing so before, it has taken some persuading to get them to apply). As we are noticing that his health and mobility is deteriorating we are wanting to see what plans they can make for the future. She is dependent on him financially but if he was, down the line, to go into a care home, am I right in thinking that the housing benefit would stop, and she would be without the money to pay for the rent? As she isn't yet old enough to draw a pension (and I am not sure about her NI contributions up to now - ie whether she would even be eligible for a state pension), we are worried she may be left in a really difficult situation. It looks to me that she would need to get a job in order to survive. I can't find much info about what happens to the spouse who remains at home, only info on what happens to the person going into a care home. I am sure this situation can't be unique but obviously less likely than a few decades ago. Thanks for any help and advice!

Tammykitty · 11 April 2018 at 4:40PM

She would have to get a job

She would be entitled to Job seekers allowance while job hunting, and also housing benefit etc

xylophone · 11 April 2018 at 6:21PM

https://www.ageuk.org.uk/globalassets/age-uk/documents/factsheets/fs39_paying_for_care_in_a_care_home_if_you_have_a_partner_fcs.pdf

saltandpepper123 · 11 April 2018 at 6:47PM

Thanks for the link, it looks as though she could be entitled to 50% of the occupational pension - so that is a positive even if it's a small amount.

elsien · 11 April 2018 at 6:52PM

Needing to get a job in order to survive?
Like most of the rest of us, you mean?

BorisThomson · 11 April 2018 at 7:05PM

saltandpepper123 wrote: »

Thanks for the link, it looks as though she could be entitled to 50% of the occupational pension - so that is a positive even if it's a small amount.

That will reduce her income to means tested JSA/ Universal Credit.

It would be worth her seeking work now, or taking steps to gain relevant experience, to lessen the shock of a much reduced income and having to comply with a job seeking agreement if she has to claim.

Pollycat · 12 April 2018 at 7:12AM

BorisThomson wrote: »

It would be worth her seeking work now, or taking steps to gain relevant experience, to lessen the shock of a much reduced income and having to comply with a job seeking agreement if she has to claim.

+1 to this.

saltandpepper123 wrote: »

I have a worry about my father and step mother; he is retired, she is not yet of pension age (not for a few years). My step mother doesn't work, they have no savings to speak of, and are living off his state pension and a small occupational pension. They live in private rented accommodation and have recently applied for - and been awarded - housing benefit and some council tax relief (pride prevented them from doing so before, it has taken some persuading to get them to apply). As we are noticing that his health and mobility is deteriorating we are wanting to see what plans they can make for the future. She is dependent on him financially but if he was, down the line, to go into a care home, am I right in thinking that the housing benefit would stop, and she would be without the money to pay for the rent? As she isn't yet old enough to draw a pension (and I am not sure about her NI contributions up to now - ie whether she would even be eligible for a state pension), we are worried she may be left in a really difficult situation. It looks to me that she would need to get a job in order to survive. I can't find much info about what happens to the spouse who remains at home, only info on what happens to the person going into a care home. I am sure this situation can't be unique but obviously less likely than a few decades ago. Thanks for any help and advice!

She should ask for a state pension estimate
https://www.gov.uk/check-state-pension

Better for her to know now and do what she can to improve her own situation than be very poor in her old age.

Daisyone · 12 April 2018 at 9:01AM

It's great that you are thinking ahead and considering both your dad and his wife. However, perhaps you re worrying a bit too much about 'what ifs' and could think about helping them improve the current situation..

What age is your dad and how old your step mother? What are his health conditions and how much help is he needing. Needing a care home generally comes pretty late in the day, especially if you can get support in place to maintain home life. He may never need a care home.

I ask about his health now as, if he is deteriorating, I wonder whether he would be entitled to claim PIP? This is NOT means-tested and would increase the household income to enable things to be put in place that would aid him to stay at home. Also, his wife would be entitled to claim Carer's Allowance (which would also give her some NI contributions towards her own state pension).

I know it's not what you asked about but hope this helps as you thinking things through.

lisyloo · 12 April 2018 at 9:09AM

As we are noticing that his health and mobility is deteriorating

When someone is not able to look after all of their personal care the first steps are usually to get carers visting the home to help.
This might for example start with one daily visit to help getting out of bed, getting dressed and getting washed. It can be increased to 4 visits of 1 hour per day if required.
For my MIL and FIL this was funded by the Local authority and the threshold for income (which varies on needs) was around £300 per week before they would have to pay.
There was also other help available such as a day center visit for MIL to give FIL (an elderly disabled carer) some respite.

Going into a care home is a last resort if someone is beyond the 4 x 1 hour visits per day. This would include people who couldn't get to the bathroom and weren't mobile enough for sufficient hydration/nutrtion. Presumably his younger non-working wife can get drinks and food?

Also note that it isn't a choice (if you don't have private funds).
The local authority will only pay for a care home when it is really needed.

saltandpepper123 · 12 April 2018 at 11:28AM

Daisyone wrote: »

It's great that you are thinking ahead and considering both your dad and his wife. However, perhaps you re worrying a bit too much about 'what ifs' and could think about helping them improve the current situation..

What age is your dad and how old your step mother? What are his health conditions and how much help is he needing. Needing a care home generally comes pretty late in the day, especially if you can get support in place to maintain home life. He may never need a care home.

I ask about his health now as, if he is deteriorating, I wonder whether he would be entitled to claim PIP? This is NOT means-tested and would increase the household income to enable things to be put in place that would aid him to stay at home. Also, his wife would be entitled to claim Carer's Allowance (which would also give her some NI contributions towards her own state pension).

I know it's not what you asked about but hope this helps as you thinking things through.

Thanks, and I absolutely agree, it would be a last resort thing and we definitely need to look at current situation too. he is 71 and she is 13 years younger. We aren't especially close and live at other ends of the country so I don't see him very often; so notice more difference I guess when I can visit. Health conditions were a minor stroke 2 years ago which has had an impact on and exacerbated existing pain and mobility issues. He can get around the house and at the moment including using the bathroom (which is upstairs) but seems to not be able to get out and about - ie walk to the shop because of mobility and pain issues, this has changed since a few months ago hence worry about deteriorating situation. I will look into PIP.

elsien · 12 April 2018 at 12:07PM

If he is 71 he is too old for a new PIP claim. He would need to look at attendance allowance instead. Age UK can be helpful with applying for this.

Benefits for non-pension age spouse if partner goes into a care home

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