parent in hospital

[mariette]

URGENT HELP NEEDED, sorry this will be long so bare with me.

My brother has custody of his 3 children , he claims child benefit, icome support and disability allowance as one of the children is disabled, he also has a mobility car.

At the moment he is poorly in hospital and is likely to be there for a few weeks. because it is the school holidays the children are with their mother as agreed by the court.

She has never wanted much to do with the children and dosnt really want them now as she keeps palming them off on other people.

Now she is trying to claim the child benefit for the children even though he gives her money anyway when she has them on the occasional holiday.

can she actually do this and will all the other benefits he gets be transfered to her even though they will be coming home in a couple of weeks .

[PGH7447]

I would ask the CAB - Citizens Advice Bureau about this if I was you

[surprise]

You need to let the Benefits Agency know regarding income support. I know when my daughter was in hospital for seven months, the income support is reduced despite the fact that I was looking after her 7 year old daughter and paying her utility bills. I did have control of the family allowance. I think it is something like 6 weeks in hospital before it affects the income support. You should have a benefits adviser at your local council, neighbourhood office who should be able to help if you can't get through to the CAB.

 

good luck.

[emmaf01]

Local council welfare rights officer is always good.

 

When your brother and his ex-partner split, was there any legal input towards child custody, maintenance, etc If these things were decided by court/solicitors, then tell the ex to go back to court if she wishes to have anything changed. Might shut her up for a bit (or at least keep her busy).

[Elenathion]

Not really related to this question, but something to bear in mind when he is out of hospital - If he is looking after a disabled child who is in receipt of DLA then he may be eligible for Carer's Allowance also.