DLA & tax credit, after ssp runs out

toofy

Hi, not sure if anyone else has experienced this, but this is what has happened to my Mum. Last year, at 62 yrs old she successfully applied for DLA, (after appeal), which came as a great help to her financial burden. She was still employed part-time as a cleaner, however had been on long term sick.

After phoning Tax Credits re: dla, she was also receiving £34 per week in tax credits. Then, in October 2008, her employer stopped sending out wageslips, and when queried they said her ssp had run out; on checking this out further it seems if she had've been under 60 yrs old she would automatically have moved across to what was incapacity benefit, and would still have been receiving roughly the same amount as ssp.

Since October she has received nothing from her employer, not even a wageslip stating nil. I thought I would check out to see if she would be entitled to further tax credits, as her income had reduced significantly, and they have informed me that she is not entitled to receive the tax credits either! meaning she is down roughly £100 per week, and has to repay all the tax credit she received from October, amounting to about £518.

As it stands, she has a state pension, as does my father, and will have to manage on less than previously, but why could no-one inform her that the tax credit shouldn't have been paid? she is still, afterall an employee of the company. I was wondering if anyone had any advice as to how to proceed, ..should she be entitled to conclude her employment on grounds of ill-health, and therefore receive any outstanding holiday pay accrued since her sickness absence began in October 2007? I have tried to contact the HR administrator at her regional office on her behalf to ask what are her options, but they aren't returning my calls, and as she is not part of a Union there is no-one to represent her.

Any thoughts or help appreciated...

marsupial_mama

She has to apply for Incapacity Benefit from the date her SSP ended. I think that the employer has to give her a certain documentation, but I really can not remember what it is called. Do phone Job Centre Plus for info on that or directly DWP.
Once she has that, she might also be entitled to IS (depending on how much pension she gets). I do not know what rates of DLA she is on? Does her husband get Carer's Allowance? When on DLA, the disability premium is also added on to certain calculations.

I think, overall, the best would be to collect all the paperwork and go to Citizens Advice. They can help with filling forms in. Also, depending on the area you are in, there are welfare and benefits teams that help out with these things.

Good luck! I know how confusing this maze of benefits is if you never claimed before! Happened to us when OH fell ill and we were at complete loss as we were never on benefits before. Help of outside expert was really effective

Good luck!

Newly_retired

Yes, it is complicated but your local CAB will be able to help your mum with all this. I think maybe she will get Pension Credit instead of Working Tax credit as she is over 60?

toofy

Having made a quick check on entitled.com, it appears she may be entitled to pension credit, however as she is over 60 yrs old she does not qualify for incapacity benefit. The pension credit is less than the disabled tax credit (£20 as opposed to £34 tax credit).

She would qualify for carer's allowance, but when inquiring whether my dad could claim it they said he couldn't as he receives £107 state pension weekly, and unfortunately all other family members are in full-time work or education.

Thanks to all your advice so far, it's appreciated...xx