Coming off JSA

jazzy

I am currently claiming Job Seekers for myself and my wife (dependant). My wife has recently developed Spinal Stenosis which has crippled her and she needs caring for by myself.

She has applied for Incapacity Benefit and also DLA Benefit, hopefully she will be awarded both of these benefits. I have spoken to the Job Centre explaining the situation and they have been kind in granting me a month to sort out these claims.

The problem is that I am finding these claims can take up to 3 months to process. I will therefore probably be taken off JSA very soon and I need advice on what other benefit I can claim for until the IB and DLA is sorted out?

Thanks

hjb123

Try having a look at https://www.entitledto.co.uk

I would have thought you should be entitled to carers allowance but your best be is to check the above website or even speak to the benefits enquiry line on 0800 88 22 00

Also check out the following link:

http://www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk/JCP/Customers/WorkingAgeBenefits/Dev_007961.xml.html

vanessaw

I used to work for the Jobcentre and we used to give the applicants 3 months grace for getting the claims sorted. I know that things have altered slightly but are you eligible for Income support as this is sometimes payable whilst the other claims are being sorted out?
It is worth looking into anyway.
The Incap claim should not take that long and your wife can claim for you on that benefit as a dependent. If you have any children then you can claim for them via the tax credits system.
I hope that this information helps and doesn't confuse and if you need any further clarification then please don't hesitate to ask!!
thanks and good luck

tanith

Just a question that no doubt you will be asked when applying for any of these benefits.... Is your wifes spinal stenosis untreatable? Depending on diagnosis there is quite a lot that can be done to relieve the condition , including as a last resort surgery which can have very good results and complete relief of symptoms....

You may well of already gone down this road and if so I hope your claims are processed quickly . Having suffered myself and had surgery I know what difficulties the condition brings , happily my surgery was successful enough to allow me to carry on working.

jazzy

Unfortunately the Spinal Stenosis is only part of the problem. She has had two operations on her spine to fuse two of her discs together she also suffers with Spondylosis and Arthritis of the spine. The Spinal Stenosis has only just been diagnosed on top of the other problems, the consultant advised that little can be done to cure the pain, an operation may be possible to relieve the pain to some extent.

I am very pleased that in your case the operation was a success but it is unlikely in my wife’s case due to the other problems.

I have an appointment with the Job centre next week to update them, so hopefully they will grant a further extended period until the IB claim is sorted out.

tanith wrote:

Just a question that no doubt you will be asked when applying for any of these benefits.... Is your wifes spinal stenosis untreatable? Depending on diagnosis there is quite a lot that can be done to relieve the condition , including as a last resort surgery which can have very good results and complete relief of symptoms....

You may well of already gone down this road and if so I hope your claims are processed quickly . Having suffered myself and had surgery I know what difficulties the condition brings , happily my surgery was successful enough to allow me to carry on working.

tanith

Jazzy sorry to hear that your wife has other issues as well as the stenosis. Having undergone spinal surgery and Total Hip Replacement , of the two the spinal was by far the worse and debilitating... I guess your wife would do anything to avoid it again..... I wish you both well and hope that you get the support you need......