I'm on UC. Can I add my name to mum's Council Tax and energy bills?

clothears

Hello

My mum is 82, receives a state pension and Attendance Allowance. I am deaf and was migrated from ESA to UC recently because I moved out of my Council flat to live with mum to care for her. We have been living in a static caravan while mum's house is on the market (my sister living there, but now about to move out). But as the latter still hasn't sold, we will be moving into it to live until it is. Mum's house is in her name alone and I will not be paying her rent to be there. So mum has her house, plus the caravan, plus some savings from the sale of her previous home. Because she is likely to make a loss on the house sale, we are planning to make up for it a bit by getting a lodger in to live with us in the house, under the Rent a Room Scheme.

I am going to apply for Pension Credit for mum because even though she might not get any money due to her savings (which we expect she will be spending towards her new home after which she might not have much left), if she is eligible in principle (if that's a thing?), then she can at least save a bit of money by having her Council Tax reduced etc.

My questions are: If mum's claim for Pension Credit is successful, can mum take advantage of winter fuel allowance and reduced Council Tax even while she has an income from a lodger? The rent charged to the lodger, which will go into my mum's account only and not mine, will include all bills including Council Tax, so I am not clear on that score.

Whether mum is awarded Pension Credit or not, can I and should I include my name on the house bills, because of the lodger? I want to contribute financially to all the bills, but I also want my name on them so I can prove my address. Will my name on the bills and my financial contribution towards them cause a problem if a lodger is involved?

Does anybody know?