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Household Benefits Package

  • 30-06-2020 6:53pm
    #1
    Cherry Blossom
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,995 ✭✭✭


    Hi folks,

    I officially live with my mother however she has been in hospital since February. The most likely outcome is that she will go into long term nursing home care. I am on disability allowance. Should I apply for the household benefits package and living alone increase now or should I wait till my mums situation is finalised? It may be some time yet before a long term care plan is put in place.


Comments

  • #2
    StackSteevens
    Closed Accounts Posts: 873 ✭✭✭StackSteevens


    Cherry Blossom wrote: »
    Hi folks,

    I officially live with my mother however she has been in hospital since February. The most likely outcome is that she will go into long term nursing home care. I am on disability allowance. Should I apply for the household benefits package and living alone increase now or should I wait till my mums situation is finalised? It may be some time yet before a long term care plan is put in place.

    Is she getting the HBP at the moment? If so, then there's no real hurry.

    In whose name is the household electricity bill? You'll have to change it to yours before you'll get the HBP.

    (I assume you're not claiming carers' allce?)

    By all means claim the LAA.


  • #3
    Cherry Blossom
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,995 ✭✭✭Cherry Blossom


    My mum does not get the HBP as she is 66 and would not qualify due to the means test. I am not claiming carers allowance. The electricity is in both our names.


  • #4
    StackSteevens
    Closed Accounts Posts: 873 ✭✭✭StackSteevens


    Cherry Blossom wrote: »

    My mum does not get the HBP as she is 66 and would not qualify due to the means test. I am not claiming carers allowance. The electricity is in both our names.

    For the vast majority of over 66 year olds there's no Means Test for the HBP.

    Here's an extract from the Department's guidelines:

    You can qualify for the Household Benefits Package if you meet one of the following conditions:

    you are between 66 and 70 and are getting one of the following:
    • State Pension (Contributory)
    • State Pension (Non-contributory)
    • Widow’s, Widower’s or Surviving Civil Partner’s (Contributory) Pension


    Anyway, away you go and apply for both payments!

    Both Forms are very easy to fill in - it might be helpful to enclose a note outlining the current situation and saying that it's very unliklely that she'll ever be coming home.

    And be sure to politely ask for both payments to be backdated to the date when your mum entered hospital - the deciding officers have the discretion to backdate payments for up to 6 months!


  • #5
    Cherry Blossom
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,995 ✭✭✭Cherry Blossom


    That's great. Thanks for all your help and advice.


  • #6
    Cherry Blossom
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,995 ✭✭✭Cherry Blossom


    On Monday I got a text telling me my HBP claim would be processed in 4 weeks. Today on my welfare it has its own section and says approved. Does anyone know if living alone allowance has a similar procedure or is it just that my DA will be increased by €14?


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  • #7
    Cherry Blossom
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,995 ✭✭✭Cherry Blossom


    I got letters today confirming my claim for LAA has been approved and will be backdated to when my mum was hospitalised and confirming my claim for HBP has also been approved but will not be backdated. I was surprised it all came through so quickly given that the department is busy with covid. I'm happy out though.


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