Buying house with elderly parent

THAAWT

My OH is on PIP, we get IS (probably soon be moved to UC)

Can anyone tell me if I buy a house jointly with elderly parent on state pension but she does have savings. In the view of me being able to look after her in years to come (we would have no mortgage):

- would our benefits be affected?
- if she did need more care than I could offer, would I be made to sell the joint house to pay for it?

Not sure if I've thought of everything!?

Would appreciate any advice please

poppy123456

Will you be living in the house that you'll be jointly owning? If you're planning on getting a mortgage while claiming benefits, i'm not saying it isn't possible but it won't be easy either.

THAAWT

No mortgage, yes all living together 

poppy123456

Then your benefits won't be affected. Of course if you're currently claiming housing benefit for help with any rent then this will end.

I wouldn't like to advise on the question about the care and you should get some expert advice regarding that.

poppy123456

Just as an after thought. As there's no mortgage involved are you currently selling your home to buy another house?

THAAWT

Yes it would be selling my house and my mum's house to buy a joint.

Am I correct in thinking that she wouldn't be classed as a non dependent as she's above state pension age?

And her savings wouldn't affect me at all?

poppy123456

Non dependant deductions apply to those claiming help with any rent. Any savings she has will not affect any of your benefits because she's classed as a separate household.

If you sell your current home before buying another then the money from the sale can be disregarded from your Income Support for 26 weeks, sometimes longer. Once you buy another house if you have savings of more than £16,000 then your IS will end.

If your mum currently lives alone and she's claiming Severe disability allowance in with pension credit then she will lose that once she lives with you, unless all other adults in the house are either claiming a qualifying disability benefit or they are registered blind.

2oldcodgers

THAAWT said:

- if she did need more care than I could offer, would I be made to sell the joint house to pay for it?

I would encourage you to seek professional advice from a solicitor on this question.
It can be a minefield if you get it wrong. Yes there are ways that you can mitigate the risk of having to contribute towards care.