Anyone knowledgeable about benefits entitlement in Scotland?

[Shell204]

My MIL age 64 was private renting. She was struggling to afford this but the landlord also had decided to sell the property.

She is currently living between us (2adult 2chidren household, mortgaged) and DH sibling (single, on benefits, council housing).

She is struggling with working 4 days a week due to pain. She has dropped to 3 days and is still sometimes having to take days off (unpaid) due to pain.

Roughly earning £980 p/m.

Has applied to the council for housing but doesn't seem to be getting anywhere.

She is in pain daily but can't give up work completely as been told she wouldn't be due any sort of benefits to help out. She isn't due her pension for another 2 and a half year but can see she is struggling daily and it is also now affecting her mental health. She's exhausted with the constant battle of the pain, money worries and housing worries as living between the 2 house holds which are 25 miles apart is wearing her down.

We also can't be expected to house her for the foreseeable but it's horrible to see someone so worn out so close to retirement age.

Does anyone have any insights on anything she can do? Anything she can apply for as being signed off work due to ill health etc?

The only devolved benefit she could apply for would be Adult Disability Payment. She can do part 1 online or on the phone and can ask for support to do part 2 or do it alone. This isn't means tested and you can work and earn whilst on it.

She should also ask for help from the welfare rights team within her council who can check her entitlement to everything else.

Would she qualify for Universal Credit?

That would help with housing costs.

Has she applied for sheltered housing from the housing charities, they are usually for over 60s and are on a par with council housing cost wise, UC would help with her rent if her income was low enough

Local council should have an independent benefits advice office, try there or the charity Age Concern or similar. Both my MIL and Dad used Age Concern separately and they were a god send. They got the full disability payments after they helped with the forms. Also, it wouldn't do any harm to see if there is a local charity that helps with housing advice

Thanks for the replies. Will tell her to talk to certain agencies.

Hopefully can get something sorted

While not renting, I don't think she will qualify for UC. When renting, she should apply for UC.

She should apply for adult disability payment if she meets the criteria.

You don’t need to be renting to claim UC - the criteria is income (and limit on savings and other assets)

I think @backawayfatty1 means OP's Mum would need to be paying rent (or have some other additional Element over and above the Standard Allowance in order to qualify for UC.

As things are earnings of £980/month will generate a taper deduction of approx £540 which is more than the Standard Allowance of £393.45.