Tue 17-Aug-04 04:28 PM by ken

I hope someone out there can help me

Am supporting a lady who is 54 years of age.

She has slight learning difficulties and some slight,mental health issues. Has been on Income support for quite sometime,plus carers allowance for her husband who was 72.

He sadly died two weeks ago. We have applied for Widows Bereavement Fund also a Funeral Payment

I have sent the deceased husband's Benefits Book back to Dwp and the client is going to have to return her Carers allowance & Benefit Book shortly.

I cannot see the client being capable of working for some time. As there are no serious illnesses what Benefits would you advise that I help her claim for.
Thanks in anticipation.

Could only suggest DLA as a slight possibility. Although you advise that her problems may be 'slight'if expert medical support could be obtained re: low mob/low care, it could be an avenue for you to explore. Good luck.

Do you mean that her IS stopped with the Carers Allowance ?
If over 55 she would come under special rules, but at 54 she would need a sicknote. If she has always been unable to work, and the GP would certify then a backdated medical certificate of at least a year could get her instant disability premium.
Otherwise it would not be unreasonable to be certified as unfit to work due to depression or similar for at least a short period after a partners death. (as you say she cannot work immediately, this implies she might be capable of work except for the death of her partner).

If she is capable of work, but has no real chance of getting or holding a job, they can't penalise for that when claiming JSA as long as you actively look for work and meet the jobsearch agreements...

There is nothing I can think of that isn't going to lead to a fall in income though.

Income support Book with carers allowance as to be sent back ASAP.
So I need to put in a fresh claim forIncome support.Sick Note is a good idea though Thank You

Correct me if I am wrong but I think C.A can continue for up to 8 weeks after the 'cared for person' has passed away.

If she does have ongoing medical problems definitely look for a backdated medical certificate though, if the underlying ICB can be backdated a year she would already qualify for disability premium.

The CA can continue, but it often doesn't. I believe it only applies if CA was payable at the time of death, which knocks out deaths in hospital as CA wouldn't have been payable. (I would like to think that was an oversight but I guess they are just that mean).