What am i entiteled to?

computergenieuk

Hello Everyone,

I was hoping for some help and advice.

I have been on Income Support since mid November 2007 due to needing operations which has led to my health deterating more, I have had two operations and got another to go.

I am on Income Support but nothing else and as i got a 1 bedroom flat and under 25 i am not entiteled to full rent and council tax and have to apply for DHP (Discrentionary Housing Payment), Without this i would have to pay i think it is £33 per week rent as my rent per week as it is private rented is £75, out of my £46 i would have to pay £33 and be left with £13 to pay for gas, electric, tv, water, groceries etc. It is disgusting but thankfuly the DHP helps me out but i am not gauranteed it as i was told it is a fund that is given from the goverment once per year to each council that once it runs out basically it is tuff luck.

Anyway back on track, i have heard that after 26 weeks i would be entiteled to Young Persons Incapacity Benefit but it has been well over and not heard anything. My mum also gets my shopping, cleans my flat and helps me with personal care which the DWP know about from my last medical which is due again in September.

I am finding it extremely difficult paying bills etc as i live alone and am very sure i should be entiteled to more by now considering i have been on it since November 2007. I have been told by my doctor, surgeon etc that i will be off work for probably another 12 months due to more operations etc and i also had many complications in previous two which nearly killed me.

I was told from DWP advise line that if i claimed young persons incapacity benefit my income support would stop and as incapacity does not entitle a person to full CTB and HB i would have to pay rent/tax out of incapacity which i was told it is only £30 more on what i am on now which would make me worse off. I also asked the council this and DWP and they said the only way i could get CTB and HB is if i was in receipt of Income Support and Incapacity Benefit or if i was in receipt of income support (which i am) and disability living allowance (i do not know what that is by the way)

Can anyone please help as i am finding it very difficuly to live and i have now also been diagnosed with severe depression and bulimia and anorexia and things are getting worse for me.

I am not sure what i am entiteled to or anything and i am expected to live on £95.60 a forghtnight and if the DHP runs out that means i am expected to live on £13 per week.

Any help would be much appreciated.

Thank you
cguk

seven-day-weekend

You need to apply for Disability Living Allowance which is not means-tested and you could have your Incapacity benefit as well.

Ask the CAB to help you with the forms as they are quite complex.

computergenieuk

ok thanks, i just find it all confusing on what i could be entiteled to.

SuziQ

Take some advice as seven day weekend says-the forms are arduous and you have to prove and give examples of ow your illness affects you and what help you need (you don't have to be in receipt of the help to get it.)
Do you have a named illness? I only ask as you may get help and advice re the forms from an association that offers advice about it.If you are awarded DLA 9ehich has 3 levels) and get middle or higher award I believe that your mum can apply for carers allowance which is around £200,depending on how many hours she helps you and what she earns (I think). You need to get some serious advice quickly,firstly request the DLA forms as the date of application is noted and providing you get them back by the second date on the form they can backdate to the date you asked for the forms should you be awarded.

greta.sara

I am currently in reciept of middle band DLA ,we are retired and purchasing a holiday home in spain,can anyone tell me what the rules are regarding time spent abroad and recieving benifit for instance ,how long can you holiday in europe at any one time and is it repeatable during the same year

thanx greta.sara

Mojisola

You cannot be transferred from Income Support to Incapacity Benefit. If you were entitled to IB, you would have been on it from the beginning. If you are unable to work because of health problems you usually claim IB, they tell you that you are not entitled to it because you don't have enough National Insurance contributions and award you IS. You should be getting more than the basic rate because of your health problems.

In your situation you are probably better off on IS because it is means-tested and you are able to claim for things that you can't get on IB.

Do claim for DLA but don't fill in the forms yourself - get an advisor to do it with you. Ask the advisor to check that you are getting everything else that you could apply for.

Do you have a social worker? As your problems are ongoing you should have one. Your mother should also ask to have a carer's assessment so that her needs are recognised.