If you’re caring for your parents, you may be eligible for a carer’s payment – if you meet certain stringent conditions.
My brother is in his mid-50s. In March 2021, his employment in hospitality was unstable and he moved back to live with our elderly parents, who are in their 80s. He intends to be a full-time carer, when needed. My parents had made it clear that my brother can live in their house for life, so he has leased his house – worth some $1.4 million with a $500,000 mortgage – and is receiving rental income of $2500 a month.
If your brother is focusing on a life interest that will be left to him in his parent’s wills, they can be complex. Furthermore, if your parents live longer and reach the stage that they need 24-hour intensive care that he cannot provide, they may need to sell the house to pay for a move into an aged-care residence.
My father passed away at the beginning of the year. My mother has had an easy time with every organisation she has had to deal with, except the Australian Taxation Office, when it comes to searching for lost super. She had difficulties having her identity accepted, despite providing in all the necessary paperwork, together with verified documents of his death.