Incapcity benifit

icdruggan

Hi, Can anyone make any sense of this , I worked up till i became ill on 30/8/07 then i recieved SSP..on Jan08 i claimed incapacity benifit and it was paid at the rate of £61.35 till March,£72.55/April£75.40/SEPT£84.50. I have called the benifits helpline today and asked how much the law states i must get to live on he said £86.35.
I recieve around £450 a yr from my private pension which i started taking last yr, I get it every yr now, i was told if i took it weekly i would then be about £92 a week, so i will be above the sum the law states.
I also recive housing benifit and help with polltax, I am now nearly 56 years old and i have always worked, My friends son is 17 yrs does not have a house to run and recieves around £97 a week, They are giong to put him on social security where unlike me he will get help with Grants ect..I am not allowed any sort of help and as i am on the housing list for several years now i am due a house which i will not get any help with either moveing fees or things i need a cooker ect...I also am very upset about liveing for the past year on benifits lower than the law states, How can this be right, the benifit helpline confirmed if you are under 35yrs you get a higher rate,....EVEN THOUGH YOUVE WORKED ALL YOUR LIFE someone who hasnt worked at all gets the most UNBELIEVEABLE, Can anyone offer any help with this Please

healy

What you have been told is correct as you have over the Income Support amount for your situation you are not entitled to IS. You may get help with health costs if you are on a low income but you would need to apply for this.

krisskross

I'm afraid single people under 60 get a raw deal. Suddenly on your 60th birthday it appears you will need quite a bit more dosh and will be able to claim pension credit which will give your finances a big boost.

Oldernotwiser

If you are on IB at the highest rate then you should probably apply for DLA as well. This isn't means tested.

Regarding the 17 year old, there must be some special circumstances there as you can't normally claim benefits at that age.

kompess

It's £97 a fortnight he gets.