Getting IB, DLA AND IS???

alexiawest

I was wondering if someone could help me please.

I recieve incapacity benefit at £102.25p/w , I also get DLA at middle rate care and low rate mobility. I am 21 and have been very unwell, getting worse as I get older, since I was around 10 years old.

I tried to make a claim for income support some time ago on top of my incapacity, as I knew someone else who was on the same benefits as me but also getting income support, hoever I got a letter saying I had enough to live on so did not need IS ( I may have been on low or high rate care DLA at the time, ive been through all 3 rates, but been on middle rate now ). At one point i as on income support only, untill I was advised to claim incapacity instead.

I thought nothing more of it, until I posted on the benefits forum to see if anyone knew where I stand with dental care charges, and someone said that I should be getting it free, and prescriptions free as I should get the disability part of income support along with my incapacity and dla.

Can anyone tell me if this is how it Works, if so, why did they turn me down for it before?

I know I should call and speak to someone at jobcentre, but I do not want to seem greedy and like Im trying to grab as much benefit as I can, I hate that I can not ork and I always feel really awful when I have to talk to people from jobcentre as they can be very patronizing and talk to you like your scum ( not all, but many I have had to speak to ).

As I said, I already get incapacity and DLA and if I am not entitled to IS, fair enough, but I would just like to know where I stand.

I did the entitled to and it showed I was entitled to IS on there, but im sceptical because I was turned down for it before.

Any words of wisdom?

Im single by the ay and I live in a privatly rented room/bedsit, incase that makes any difference?

eth_2

Hi Alexia,
Regarding benefits that you are on.
The one thing that I have learnt whilst claiming benefits for my son is that there does not seem to be a level playing field for all. On the whole I believe it is best to fight for any entitlement that is due to you. The benefit system should be there to help those in need-that is what it is there for.
Never,ever worry about what people think of you-that is a BIG mistake!
Always try to get continuity regarding any claim.
I always ask to speak to a customer services manager as they are much more knowledgable.
If you have to re-phone speak to this manager again. If he is not in wait until he returns-or speak to another manager keeping a note of his/her name also.
If denied a claim-ask the reason why and ask what your chances are if you appeal this decision-which the system generally always makes you do -as a way of saving money-as people get fed up-and just give up.
Good luck.
eth.

The_walrus

Hi Alexia. I'm afraid you are definately not entitled to Income Support, your income (believe it or not) is far in excess of an IS claimant. IS for a 21yr old is £47.95. Because you are on MR Care you would get the disability premium of £25.85, making a total of £73.80. Because IS is the "passport" benefit you will not get automatic help with prescriptions or dental care. You could try a claim for help with dental care using form HHC1 on low income grounds. Hope this clears it up a bit.

richard9991

The_walrus wrote: »

Hi Alexia. I'm afraid you are definately not entitled to Income Support, your income (believe it or not) is far in excess of an IS claimant. IS for a 21yr old is £47.95. Because you are on MR Care you would get the disability premium of £25.85, making a total of £73.80. Because IS is the "passport" benefit you will not get automatic help with prescriptions or dental care. You could try a claim for help with dental care using form HHC1 on low income grounds. Hope this clears it up a bit.

if you live alone and have no carer you may get severe diability premium only way to find out is apply they can only say yes or no.

The_walrus

It would be pointless to claim because even with SDP there would still be no entitlement to IS.

karendb

Is there a way you could NOT have some of the other benefits and have IS instead? Like "The Walrus" said above, if you're on income support, it's like a passport to the other benefits. You are then automatically entitled to get Housing Benefit & Council Tax, free dental care etc.

karendb

Also, please do speak to someone who knows the system - a customer services manager is a good idea as has been suggested before. And you are NOT being "greedy". If you are entitled to some other benefits, you should be claiming them!

The_walrus

Sorry but there is not way you can relinquish one benefit in order to claim another. I any event your IB is so much more than IS would be it would be unlikely to be beneficial. There is of course nothing to stop you claiming HB/CTB anyway. Based upon the figures original quoted there would still be substancial entitlement, albeit not full rebate.

linmad

hi,
have just this afternoon joined forum and not surprised to see the problems people have trying to claim anything--already belong to an arthritis forum and the same there
i have been on ib for 3yrs now suffering with multiple joint arthritis, soft tissue rhumatics, mechanical back pain(wear and tear) and i am registered as a hard of hearing person, yet when i tried to get a little help in the form of dla i was turned down, probably because i can walk-how do you show the pain that comes with doing that? how can you prove the endless nights spent laying awake in pain ?do we have to be dead before we get help?
thanks for letting me moan

zappster1966

If you live alone & no-one claims Carer's Allowance for you there's no reason you shouldn't qualify for Income Support.

Personal Allowance £47.95
Disability Premium + £25.85
Severe Disability Premium + £50.35
Applicable Amount = £124.15

less Incapacity Benefit - £102.25

Balance due (Income Support) = £21.90

So you need to re-apply for Income Support asap. The key to the whole thing is getting the extra premium awarded - Severe Disability Premium. So make sure they know about your Disability Living Allowance when you apply ... they'll give you an IS10 form to complete, return that to the Jobcentre with your application form.

Income Support claimline - 0800 0 55 66 88

The_walrus

Yes, once again Zappster 1966 is right. I'm sorry but I forgot that the SDP can be paid on top of other premiums. Apologies.