Moving in with elderly Mum and ESA

Catzwoman60

Hi there, currently I'm 60 and live alone. I receive ESA with severe disability premium, also PIP standard rate daily living and enhanced rate for mobility needs. Also I get full Council Tax help as I have a wheelchair. I have carers calling twice a day. My Mum is 83, she lives alone in her own Bungalow. She doesn't claim any benefits but gets a pension. She was self-employed. Due to her age and the cost of living she wants to sell her Bungalow and also my own house, to buy a larger Bungalow, where we could live together. Saving on her Council Tax and the utility bills for two properties. Also we would be on hand for each other if any emergencies should happen. We will be staying in Cheshire East if we move. I spoke to someone on the ESA helpline yesterday to see if it would affect my benefits if we do move in together and was told that the Severe Disability premium is likely to be stopped, but I could claim Carer's Allowance for my Mum. I would be dealing with the bills and online shopping, but at the moment Mum doesn't need any other help. She's fiercely independent! My questions are, why will it affect my SDP and would I be likely to receive Carer's Allowance if I tried to claim it? I think it's likely that many people may be in the same boat as things get more expensive, but I really don't want to lose nearly £70 a week. Please help if you have any advice, thanks. 

poppy123456

The person you spoke to is correct your SDP would stop unless your mum is either registered blind or she's claims a qualifying disability benefit herself (which she doesn')

You won't be entitled to claim carers allowance for looking after your mum because she needs to be claiming a qualifying disability benefit, which she doesn't.

Your mum could claim Carers allowance for looking after you. Does she claim her state pension? If she doesn't and it's more than £69.70 per week then she won't be paid the carers allowance because it's classed as an overlapping benefit but she would have an underlying entitlement to it, which could mean there maybe some entitlement to pension credit but that will depend on her circumstances.

Catzwoman60

Thanks Poppy123456. The person I spoke to yesterday said that my Mum wouldn't be able to claim Carer's Allowance for me because of her pension, but only I could claim for her. It looks unlikely that I could, by what you've told me. I've told her before that I think she could be entitled to Pension Credit, but she will not consider trying to claim it. She's of an era that thinks you only have what you work for! I'm sure she could get help with her Council Tax if she even got a few pennies of Pension Credit, but she pays 75% of the Band C charge regardless. Thank you for your reply and advice. 😊

poppy123456

Catzwoman60 said:

The person I spoke to yesterday said that my Mum wouldn't be able to claim Carer's Allowance for me because of her pension,

That's not quite correct. As i advised above, if her state pension is more than £69.70/week then she can't receive the money but she will have an underlying entitlement to it.
Pension credit for a single person will top up your weekly income to £182.60. If her state pension or any other pensions she's receiving are more than this she won't be entitled to PC. If she claimed CA for looking after you then the carers premium will be added to that calculation which could increase it by a further £38.85/week.

Catzwoman60

Thanks Poppy123456, that's really helpful. I think I'll have a chat with her, tell her those figures. Tbh I don't know exactly how much her income is, she's very secretive about that. However if it is less and she could claim some Pension Credit she could be better off. I think she could even get a discount off her TV licence too! If I tell her about losing the SDP she might be more inclined to listen. Thanks again. 😊 

calcotti

If your mum has any health needs that mean that she needs help she might be eligible for Attendance Allowance.

Catzwoman60

Thanks Calcotti, at the moment she doesn't have many issues, but lately I've noticed she has slowed down a bit. Her stubbornness keeps her going! 😉

L_Volunteer

Her stubbornness sounds like a really positive trait and one that is really helping @Catzwoman60. How are you feeling about everything at the moment?

I hope you are ok but if you need anything please don't hesitate to reach out to us. We are all here for you and listening to you