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Original poster

Benefits, where do start?

19 replies

MrsPotterings · 22/02/2023 15:29

My brother is a failed sole trader and is now recovering from a serious health condition in hospital. He also has a 16 year old daughter. I would like to help him get on benefits as he has no money at all and no prospect of working in the immediate future. I have no idea where to start though.

One complication is that he owns his own flat. He won't be able to pay the mortgage/heating etc once he gets out of hospital and although he could put it on the market,that doesn't help him in the next few months before is sold.

Where can I find information about his options?

OP posts:
Whiskyinajar · 22/02/2023 15:35

Universal Credit can be applied for online. It's five weeks before a first payment, however he can get an advance as a loan.

Depending on health he may also be entitled to PIP and/or ESA

Original poster
MrsPotterings · 22/02/2023 15:36

Whiskyinajar Can you apply for that even if you own your own property?

OP posts:
seekingasimplelife · 22/02/2023 15:40

www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/universal-credit/if-youre-sick-or-disabled/getting-universal-credit-if-youre-sick-or-disabled/

Also - Is your brother a lone parent? If so - the Gingerbread helpline is a fantastic source of advice on claiming benefits.

www.gingerbread.org.uk/what-we-do/contact-us/helpline/

Original poster
MrsPotterings · 22/02/2023 15:41

seekingasimplelife Thank you. He is a single father.

OP posts:
gogohmm · 22/02/2023 16:07

He can apply for universal credit, sooner he starts the claim the better as there's a waiting period. He cannot claim for the housing element though as that's only for rental properties. Help with mortgage interest doesn't kick in for 38 weeks I think and is separate (and a loan). If he can't work longer term he will need medical proof for his uc claim to exempt him from job hunting

VanCleefArpels · 22/02/2023 16:15

Do a benefits calculator on Turn2us

Citizens Advice website - loads of info, hrlp
on the phone if necessary

If long term conditions which impact ability to do everyday tasks then may be eligible for PIP which is not means tested - again loads of info on Cit A website

Put the property on the market pronto if not affordable to pay the mortgage. Released equity will if over £16k nullify a benefits award but will pay rent until such time this is no longer affordable.

Babyroobs · 22/02/2023 16:21

Does he have a partner ? Does his daughter live with him? If it is just him by himself and assuming he has paid NI contributions over the past 2-3 years then new style ESA may be the way to go. If he needs money to support his daughter then he should claim Universal credit. On UC there is no help with paying a mortgage and sadly it is not going to be enough to pay a mortgage from. Does he have any mortgage protection insurance? Whether he claims ESA or UC, if he is going to be off work in the longer term he should hand in sick notes and wait to be assessed for work capability. He should also apply for council tax support.

Babyroobs · 22/02/2023 16:22

MrsPotterings · 22/02/2023 15:41

seekingasimplelife Thank you. He is a single father.

He should claim UC then. It will give him around £650 a month to live off, maybe more once assessed for his health if health condition is longer term.

Original poster
MrsPotterings · 22/02/2023 17:15

Thank you all. He doesn't have a partner and has no one to look after him.

OP posts:
MrsMoastyToasty · 22/02/2023 17:47

Entitledto or turn2us websites are good sources of information about benefits. Otherwise your local CAB or debt and benefits advice agency might be able to help.

Inforapenny65 · 22/02/2023 18:07

Is there a social work department in the hospital? If so can the ward refer him to them before he is discharged perhaps. Hope he gets better soon.

Original poster
MrsPotterings · 24/02/2023 17:21

Inforapenny65 Yes I think there is. I will get in touch with them

MrsMoastyToasty Thank you

OP posts:
newwings · 24/02/2023 23:34

He needs to have his mortgage reduced to interest only which benefits will cover.

VanCleefArpels · 25/02/2023 07:44

newwings · 24/02/2023 23:34

He needs to have his mortgage reduced to interest only which benefits will cover.

In all practical senses UC is not great for homeowners covering mortgage costs. There’s a delay of 39 weeks from first claiming during which time you cannot have earned any money and even then the payments towards mortgage are a LOAN which has to be paid back usually when the property is sold

www.gov.uk/support-for-mortgage-interest

Toooldtoworry · 25/02/2023 07:46

Are you sure there is no income protection policy in place anywhere?

Avidreader12 · 25/02/2023 13:23

No one’s suggested but he needs to speak to the mortgage company straightaway as a vulnerable customer they should have procedures to help. Make sure they know background of health condition and note this. They can put him on temporary payment holiday, interest only or other options as a breather..I suggest this before any decision is made to sell the property. He can do this at the same time as applying for UNiversal credit.

Original poster
MrsPotterings · 26/02/2023 16:52

Are you sure there is no income protection policy in place anywhere? He has been self employed for a long time so has nothing like that.

Thank you Avidreader12. They won't talk to me so it would need to be my brother doing this, sadly.

OP posts:
Original poster
MrsPotterings · 26/02/2023 16:53

newwings It is interest only already but looks like benefits won't cover this for 39 weeks if I understand correctly.

OP posts:
Avidreader12 · 26/02/2023 17:27

england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice

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