Urgent advice needed before family major panic/dilemma

[Pinkbows]

Hi Cag'ers,

 

Needing some advice of which is a fragile situation at present so as i can at least have some rough information to hand before my family panic thinking of starving, loosing home etc and i know you all have a world of knowledge, and have been unable to find similar while searching through the threads.

 

Background situation: Parents have three children (i'm the oldest), youngest is now 20yrs old and still living at home along with a friend/somewhat lodger (19/20). My mother and step-father have been together around 9yrs and married for around 6yrs (7yrs in May). My mother was not working previously as was supported by our natural father, but due to safety circumstances mother ended up single parent on Income Support. She then met my step-father and she came off benefits around 9yrs ago with her staying/looking after the home and us (i have had bad luck in health and have a s.e.n son and has helped us greatly) with step-father working and supporting the household.

 

As time went on, i left home and had my son. Around 3yrs ago, originally a friend of both brothers was having some problems at home so moved into my mothers home, 2yrs ago middle child/brother finally left home and moved into first home with his now finance (they now have 3month old baby). So now there is my youngest brother working 48+hours per week bringing home around £1200 per month and pays i think £80 per week rent to my mother. Friend/lodger earns around £120-150 per week and again pays i believe £80 per week to mother for room, food, washing etc (he is awaiting to become full time/permanent to which wages will rise but unsure if/when will happen). Step father working full time, mother housewife. Between them, parents have always managed to scrap past bills (all be it sometimes with a little help from myself/brother), without any HB, CTB, CTC, WTC etc since youngest brother left school.

 

Now the part where they are starting to panic, while also trying to stop mother having a break down due to this news last night and (pretty much) confirmation today.

 

Pretty much out of nowhere (from what we/children know anyway) last night mother very upset, when brother asked why - step father (for whatever/unknown yet reasons) would like to leave/seperate. He had happened to have today off work and being as both brothers have now started the four on/off shift, we have pretty much left them to talk and sort things out either way but it is certain he wants to now leave. While there is the one side of now trying to hold family together somehow and without my mother going into a mental breakdown, my brothers are now starting to panic thinking that, being as mother does not work, she will not afford the bills, food, rent etc and will end up homeless.

 

So the advice i am seeking is once we know when he is leaving the home (cannot see him staying long as is unfair to both of them) or if indeed has/does leave today/tomorrow, and of course i am able to try to give a helping hand or do on her behalf - what is the best advice i can give her re any available help in the short term please?

She has been out of work now for around 20+yrs, wouldn't know where to start or indeed if (i fear) she may be able to, as with previous relationship was very close to a breakdown, and with the possibility of me having a knock in health (am awaiting test results any day) around this time/situation, and with her thinking of having to go jobcentre every two weeks, i fear what her mind will be like, with one thing after the other, especially with this being a complete shock.

 

Of course we will all try to help with bills, rent, food as much as we are able but we do have our own to pay (two in private rental, youngest loan on car, mobile contract etc) so of course i can understand my brothers' worries but i just don't know which way for her to turn to, to at least ensure food, rent until (hopefully) able to secure a job of her own or indeed how will ride it out etc.

 

Any advice, or points in any direction i would be extremely grateful for, as i have tried the benefit calculater(if is correct name) but it assumes she will be able to claim for income support (which reading on forum seems doubtful), or the main one only states a small discount/benefit for HB and CTC and does not mention anything else - also if makes any difference, the home is a council home and have lived there around 15yrs or so now.

 

Thanks in advance, and sorry if i rambled on a bit.

[ErikaPNP]

From the information you have given I think it;s very unlikely she would meet the qualifying criteria for Income Support. If she is medically fit for work, she may be able to claim income based Job Seekers Allowance once she becomes single. If she is not medically fit for work she should claim Income Related Employment and Support Allowance.

 

She should also submit a claim for housing benefit and council tax benefit. As she has a non dependent living with her (her grown son) she will not qualify for full housing/council tax benefit as there will be a non dependent deduction in her benefit award calculation. The rent she receives from the lodger may be treated as income for any means tested benefit claim she makes.

 

The level of decuctions are as follows:Aged 18 or over and in remunerative work

 

• gross income less than £120.00 = £7.40
  
• gross income £120 - £177.99 = £17.00
  
• gross income £178 - £230.99 = £23.35
  
• gross income £231 - £305.99 = £38.20
  
• gross income £306 - £381.99 = £43.50
  
• gross income greater than £382 = £47.75
  
• Aged 25 or over and on Income Support, Job Seekers Allowance or Employment Support Allowance (IR), or aged 18 or over and not in remunerative work = £7.40
  
• In receipt of Pension Credit or not in receipt of main phase ESA(IR) rate = Nil
  

Are there any exceptions?

 

Yes. No deduction applies for any non-dependant whatsoever if the Housing Benefit claimant or any partner is:

 

• Registered Blind
  
• In receipt of Severe Disablement Allowance
  
• In receipt of Disability Living Allowance
  
• In receipt of Exceptionally Severe Disablement Allowance
  

or if the non-dependant:

 

• Is under 18
  
• Is under 25 and on Income Support / Job Seekers Allowance (Income Based)
  
• Is on a Youth Training Scheme
  
• Is a full time student
  
• Normally lives elsewhere
  

Non-Dependant deductions - Council Tax Benefit aged over 18

 

Aged 18 or over and in remunerative work

 

• gross income greater than £382 = £6.95
  
• gross income £306 - £381.99 = £5.80
  
• gross income £178 - £305.99 = £4.60
  
• gross income less than £177.99 = £2.30
  
• others aged 18 or over = £2.30
  
• in receipt of Pension Credit and in remunerative work = Nil
  
• in receipt of Pension Credit and not in remunerative work, or in receipt of Income Support, Job Seekers Allowance(IB) or Employment Support Allowance(IR) = Nil
  

[Pinkbows]

Just an update now that brother has returned from work.

 

Mother seemed a little 'pre-occupied' shall we say, ie she put the microwave on to do some dinner for brother but hadn't put anything inside etc. Brother has spoken a little to step father who has said that he is going to a meet a friend this evening, and probably stay at his. Brother asked how after 9/10yrs can suddenly 'not be happy' instead of trying to change things for better to which all reply was that he will be "staying away" at a friends for next few days and take it from there, so does seem as though leaving tonight and based on what we know, cant change what are unsure of what is causing the unhappiness so we now going to prepare for worst and hope for best.

 

(Just for peace of mind, brother and friend/lodger will be keeping close eye on her)

 

Thanks

[Pinkbows]

Seems to over posted while yourself was posting.

 

Thank you Erika, have confirmed what i thought in the sense of not entitled to Income Support but was unsure why the calculater stated would be. As soon as we know for sure i will contact Housing Benefit as any help would be grateful until can try to at least normalize things again re money coming in.

Am already looking into possibly exchanging into a smaller home (lesser rent) in the same street as that may be something to consider also. Think everyone still in shock at moment.

 

 

Thank you again Erika,

[the main man]

Hi, this calculator may help you Start Calculation there is also one on the directgov site

Benefits adviser service : Directgov - Do it online