Incapacity Benefit query

shopndrop

Can anyone tell me if IB is income based. My DH has had his SSP stopped as he has been off ill for just over 6 months and has now had a letter from his employer saying to contact the Job Centre for a claim form for IB but he will need details of his savings. We have managed to save some money recently and just wonder now if this will stop him receiving Incapacity Benefit whilst he is still off work. We are hoping that he may be well enought to go back early in the new year but at the moment he is still not ready to return to work.

dmg24

IB is now ESA, which can be either based on NI Contributions or income.

Has your hubbie been in employment for some time? If so he will qualify for conts based ESA.

shopndrop

Yes, he has been employed for almost 35 years and only ever had 1 or 2 days off ill so this is all new to us. So does this mean that he will qualify based on his NI payments and our savings won't affect this?

cw18

If he's paid NI for the relevant years which it sounds like he has (or had credits due to very low pay), then yes he'll get Contributions Based ESA

dmg24

You'll be fine for conts based ESA, so your savings will not be a problem.

shopndrop

Thanks to all above for the advice. It is really reassuring. He has paid NI contributions for all his working life.

shopndrop

DH has contacted Job Centre but has been told that he is not entitled to any money as he will still be part paid directly by his employer and as he will be paid more than the amount of benefit he is not entitled to anything. His employer is saying he should be entitled to some money. Can anyone please tell us which is correct? Is he entitled to anything or not? He has paid NI contributions for many years and never claimed SSP or any other money previously.

cyclonebri1

shopndrop wrote: »

DH has contacted Job Centre but has been told that he is not entitled to any money as he will still be part paid directly by his employer and as he will be paid more than the amount of benefit he is not entitled to anything. His employer is saying he should be entitled to some money. Can anyone please tell us which is correct? Is he entitled to anything or not? He has paid NI contributions for many years and never claimed SSP or any other money previously.

I retired early after an accident. I was in a similar position, my employers sick pay scheme gave 6 months at full pay followed by 6 months at 1/2 pay. When full pay ran out SSP which the company was automatically claiming ran out at the same time, BUT, I was able to claim IB which did not effect the 1/2 pay I was receiving. Savings info was not required.

This was of course late last year, and I'm not certain what effect recent changes will have had on your situation.
It needs looking at again.

shopndrop

Does anyone know how the recent changes may have affected this?

seven-day-weekend

My husband was also able to claim IB whilst still being paid half pay by his employer, so don't understand this.

Maybe a Welfare Rights Advisor at the CAB cab help you?

Edited to add: Unless they have assessed your husband for Income -Based ESA instead of Contributions-based? Sometimes thgere is an assessment for both (you will only qualify for one however), and although he might not be eligible for Income-based, he may still be eligible for Contributions-based.

Definitely needs clarification.

I suggest you either ring them and ask them to explain in words of one syllable , or ask the CAB to do it for you.

Good luck!

shopndrop

seven-day-weekend - thanks for your info. Huuby has spoken to CAB and they say he should be entitled to contribution based so he will get back on the phone to them today. Wouldn't have thought of going to CAB so a big thanks.