can't get sickness benefit, where to go next?

rockie4

Not sure if this is the right place to ask this, OH is on the sick with depression. He walked out of his job and went straight to the docs, she signed him off for 3 weeks and has just given him another note for a further 6 weeks.
He went to the jobcentre, they told him who to ring, he filled in and signed all the forms and today he's had a letter saying he's not entitled to anything as he has gaps in his NI record.
He's suffered depression for years, and therre has been times when he refused to go to the docs and didn't work so I'm not disputing the gaps but surely there must be something he can claim?? I work full time but we can't manage on my salary. Last time he wasn't working I ended up nearly a grand in debt and I've only just cleared it.
Does anyone know who he should see about this?

healy

If he does not qualify for Incapacity Benefit because of a lack of NI contributions and cannot get Income Support due to Incapacity because of your salary there is nothing he can claim to replace these two benefits. You are treated as a couple as far as means tested benefits are concerned.

rockie4

I thought that might be the case, thanks.

beanielou

He could consider putting in a claim for DLA.
If his depression is severe he may well be entitled.
HTH.

rockie4

He's got an appointment at Welfare Rights on Monday so I'm hoping they might come up with something......

Valley's_girl

Just wanted to wish you luck for monday.:)
ally x

my_two_cents

When you apply for Income support, you usually have to fill in an incapacity benefit form as well, and this is dealt with first, then if found that you have not paid enough NI credits, you have to call them to ask for income support to be paid instead.

Called on behalf of a friend who had schizophrenia, and was turned down, and this was what we did.

Another angle, though not applicable to the OP is that if you don't qualify for contributions based JSA, then you would qualify for income-based JSA.

zzzLazyDaisy

Have you tried the MSE benefits checker to see if there are any other benefits you could apply for?

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/protect/benefits-check?gclid=CNy_kJel25UCFRlPEAod932nXQ

rockie4

I'll see what they say at Welfare rights tomorrow but I'm not holding my breath :rolleyes: I don't earn a mega wage but I'm pretty sure they'll say I have to support him......
Thanks for the advice, I'll let you know what they say!

rockie4

Not much to tell, he's had to request a breakdown of his NI contributions and when that arrives he can go back to welfare rights........