Advice for claiming benefits.

reillyhub

Hello everyone,
I keep reading posts where people ask if they should claim for or are they entitled various benefits here are some of my suggestions;
1. Always claim if in doubt claim anyway if some dude up the road says my aunt agnes didn,t get it claim anyway. There is no benefit in the uk to my knowledge if you answer honestly there would be any repercussions so what have you got to lose always claim anyway.

2 If the benefit is complicated seek advice from CAB or abenefits surgery.

3. Obviously some benefits are quite complex so in these circumstances keep a diary of the tasks you help someone with or your needs and when you need to fill in thes complex forms you can refer to your diary very helpful.

4. And finally i know i keep saying this always claim let the department decide dont let someone talk you out of it it happened to me listening to my clever frien lost out 2years benefits. Good luck with all future applications!

daska

I'm not sure I agree. After a comprehensive review of what we get we were advised that if we went down the road of claiming ESA/IS/JSA etc we might at best, in return for all the paperwork and medicals etc, end up £10/month better off but would more likely break even. For every gain (e.g. council tax discount), we'd lose somewhere else. The other benefit of getting that advice is that we know exactly what to do if our situation changes. If the benefit isn't means tested (e.g. DLA) I'd agree, but not if it could have implications on other benefits you are in receipt of.

reillyhub

Hi daska
I did actually say if the benefit claim is complex ask for advice from a benefit surgery or cab. My advice is to try and help mse viewers not to be put off claiming .Of course some complicated cases you may lose as much as you gain.I meant by repercussions is criminal prosecution as long as your honest i dont know of any repercussions.

cattie

Some people prefer to try to find out what their entitlements may be before claiming, hence the questions they may post on here. Some just need reasurrance that their claim has a good chance of success or which benefit it is that they need to apply for in the first place.

As you say, the benefits system is quite complex & it does help if you have a bit of knowledge of what you might qualify for before making a claim.

There are regular posters on the benefits forums here who always try to give advice to the best of their knowledge & always stress the advisabilty of taking experienced welfare rights advice to be on the safe side.

reillyhub

Hello cattie.Thats right they can prefer to find out everything they can but my core message remains if in doubt claim anyway ie some things are quite simple to claim free tv licence for over 75 the only need is you are 75 or over so if you are that apply. What my message was intended for were mse members who are anxious applying for any kind of benefit you will never be publicly flogged for any application just told no so everone go for it!