And you're very lucky to have a mother who gave you 60K of her divorce settlement. I'm sure she could apply for rent allowance, just because she is a relative doesn't mean she can't rent from you. There would also be the possibility of carers allowance. Can you not rent and drive to and from where your home is until things pick up? Might be more time travelling but you'd have less bills? Could your mother apply for disability? She would get rent, phone, heating, TV a lot of bills paid for. medical card. Worth looking into. My mother had her two hips replaced and is on disability, but can also work a few hours a week.