Long winded (apologies)

fletch007uk
fletch007uk Online Community Member Posts: 9 Listener

My grandmother who is 90 has dementia, she gets attendance allowance. Due to nans dementia she may have to move in with my mum. My mum owns her own home (out right) but claim’s ESA (my brother has special needs and my father is in ill health so mum takes care of them both) which will soon move over to UC. If nan does have to move in with my mum will it affect her UC? Nan also owns her own home (out right) but does not want carers nor does she want to go in a nursing home (we wouldn’t put her in one unless it was due to medical needs). Mums already under pressure and is stressing but was just wondering if anyone had gone through this process. Thank you in advance.

Comments

  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,463 Championing

    It wouldn't affect her current ESA or UC when they eventually claim that.

    Does your grandmother claim Pension Credit? If so and this includes the Severe disability Addition (known as SDP in other benefits) then this will stop, unless all the adults in your mum's house as either registered blind or claiming either PIP daily living, DLA mid/high rate care or AA.

  • fletch007uk
    fletch007uk Online Community Member Posts: 9 Listener

    no she’s got a great pension as she worked a lot and paid full stamp. She has done very well in regards to shares from the company she worked for and receives a dividend also has ISAs etc. My brother and father are in receipt of PIP. I’m wondering if my grandmothers money would affect the money mum gets on UC due to nanna having more than 16k in (asset's if you get me)

  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,463 Championing
    edited February 1

    There would be no impact on your mother's ESA or UC when she claims that because income, savings/capital from other members of the household doesn't affect entitlement, unless it's a partner.

    The only time it may affect it is if they are claiming help with any rent, your mother owns her own home so would not be claiming for help with that.

  • fletch007uk
    fletch007uk Online Community Member Posts: 9 Listener

    I’ve rang scope and they said it would affect UC as it would be classed as money in the pot as nan would be apart of the household. As it’s more than 16k (way more) mum would not be entitled to UC. It’s all confusing.

  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,463 Championing

    Hmm, that's pretty awful advice you've been given there by scope and it's not correct. Please read my previous comment, which is correct. Other members of the household's income, savings, capital does not affect entitlement to your benefits because they are not part of the household for this purpose.

    It would be rather odd if it did, don't you think?

    To be clear, the same rules apply to Income Related ESA as they do for UC. Both are means tested benefits.

  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,463 Championing

    For council Tax reduction because all local Authorities have their own rules I will not be able to advise with that.

  • fletch007uk
    fletch007uk Online Community Member Posts: 9 Listener

    he said that if there wasn’t savings, ISA’s etc to do the benefits calculator as nannas pension is classed as income as UC is capped. (I honestly don’t understand all this so apologies and I appreciate the help, so thank you)

  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,463 Championing

    I'm sat here scratching my head in disbelief that you were given such awful advice, which is completely incorrect.

    Your mother owns her own home, so would not need to claim for help with any rent. Your nan's pension, ISA's, other savings and any other income she receives will not affect your mum's current ESA or her UC when she does claim it.

    I live with my adult daughter, she claims UC and I claim ESA. My benefits don't affect hers and her do not affect mine. We are not part of the same household for benefits purposes.

  • fletch007uk
    fletch007uk Online Community Member Posts: 9 Listener

    im scratching mine too tbh. I’ll call citizens advice on Monday. Just want everything to be above board. Thank you again ❤️

  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,463 Championing

    I hope this will help to confirm my advice is correct.

    https://www.scope.org.uk/advice-and-support/how-savings-affect-means-tested-benefits

    If someone in your household has savings

    Only you and your partner’s savings will affect your benefits. Other people in the house can have savings without it affecting your benefits. This includes your children and other adults.

    For example, your partner’s savings count if you claim Housing Benefit together. If you have a lodger who is not a part of your claim, their savings do not count.

  • Holly_Scope
    Holly_Scope Posts: 3,672 Scope Online Community Coordinator

    Thank you for raising your concern with the advice received. This will be raised.

  • fletch007uk
    fletch007uk Online Community Member Posts: 9 Listener
  • fletch007uk
    fletch007uk Online Community Member Posts: 9 Listener

    sorry me being thick, would nan be classed as a dependent or non dependent? (I’m reading so much and frying my own head so apologies if I’m doing yours in)

  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,463 Championing

    No because as I advised your mum owns her own home so would not be claiming for help with any rent. Non dependent only applies if you claim for help with the rent.

    Even then in some cases a non dependent is disregarded if someone claims a qualifying disability benefit.

  • fletch007uk
    fletch007uk Online Community Member Posts: 9 Listener
  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,463 Championing

    You're very welcome. I hope I've managed to put your mind at ease now.

  • fletch007uk
    fletch007uk Online Community Member Posts: 9 Listener
  • Adrian_Scope
    Adrian_Scope Posts: 11,783 Online Community Programme Lead

    Hello @fletch007uk.

    I just wanted to follow up with you about your advice from our Helpline. I've flagged this with them and their benefit adviser would like to give you a call to discuss and clear up and misunderstandings. If you'd like them to, please send us an email with your phone number community@scope.org.uk

    Otherwise they've asked me to pass on the following:

    "Please pass on our apologies for the incorrect advice. The grandmother’s savings definitely shouldn’t affect your mother’s UC. There shouldn’t be any non-dependant deductions since your mother doesn’t get housing element. There is no SDP to worry about either. I agree with Poppy that it shouldn’t affect the grandmother’s benefits."