Surely I'm missing something...

[slice_of_toast]

Right, apologies if these bangs on a bit I don't really know where to start...

My mum suffers with pretty bad MS and this means that my dad has to sty at home and look after her so he cannot work.

We are claiming the disability benefits and carers allowance (which at about £40 a week is an absolute joke). My dad was claiming working tax credits at about £70 a week but was told that if he claimed income support then we would get help paying the mortgage.

So the money we are now receiving is £17 a week only the mortgage isn't being paid as they won't do that for 26 weeks.

Basically we thought the situation couldn't get any worse but it really has. Our outgoings weren't being covered by our incomings before and now they are definitely not. It's not even like we are living the high life, basic food shopping is our only luxury! After the mortgage, life insurances and bills are paid there is absolutely nothing left.

I'm working and I help out as much as I can but, this probably sounds selfish, I'm 21 and I would like to have a little bit of money for myself an start saving some.

I just feel like there is something we are missing, would anyone have any idea what?

Sorry if this sounds rather self-pitying, it's just awful to see my parents go through it all.

Thanks a lot

[purplebutterfly]

The only one I can think of is some sort of council tax benefit/reduction. Best thing to do is make an appointment with the Citizens advice Bureu, they will quite easily check if you entitled to any extra support.

And carers allowance is a complete and utter joke, but thats not for here.

[slice_of_toast]

Thanks, I think they were the ones that originally suggested the income support idea but they might be worth another shot. I really would like to go down myself as, by his own admission, my dad can't really make sense of it all, it's just finding the time especially as I'm working and such like.

Thank you for your suggestion though.

[Scary Monster]

Another place to try asking would be whoever looks after your mum on the medical front. They may have some ideas as to who to ask about what help you can get.

[Fiend_85]

You could ask an MS support charity. Macmillian are doing a campaign at the moment to raise awareness that 1in17 people who suffer from cancer lose their homes. So maybe one the MS charities knows more about what kind of help you can get.

[girl with sharp teeth]

You will get help with your mortgage from the DWP but they will only pay towards the interest on a mortgage/secured loan up to £100K, provided that you used the mortgage/loan to buy the house/do household repairs.

There is a time limit imposed on when they will start paying towards your mortgage and this should have been explained to you when you applied. In some circumstances they will start paying immediately (for example, if you are an OAP), and there are different time limits depending on your situation.

I'm presuming your mum is claiming incapacity benefit at the moment; has she applied for/is she getting DLA?

Has your family drawn up a proper budget to see exactly where the money is going every month? It's a useful thing to do, as you can see at a glance where non essential cutbacks can be made.

Someone has already mentioned Council Tax Benefit. Your family may be entitled to a reduction in your council tax, but as you are a working adult and living at home the liability to pay the tax will still remain.

Really, your family could do with a proper welfare benefits check to go through your situation with you. If you ring Community Legal Services Direct, they will find you a welfare rights advisor in your local area. Their number is 0845 345 4345.