Can you get incapacity benefit if you are illiterate?

black-saturn

A "friend" of mine (someone who has put it upon herself to walk to the school with me every day - not someone who I would choose to be friendly with) is completely illiterate. She can't read or write the simplest words and has never been able to. She has 2 or 3 small children (theres always loads of kids in her house but I don't think they are all hers) and is a lone parent. She has a home visit from some kind of helper twice a week to help her with things like important letters and bills etc etc. She was telling me the other day about how she thinks she is entitled to incapacity benefit but the benefit office are humming and harring over it. I said I would try and find out for her on the net. Does anyone know if she is?

KittyKate

I would doubt it - surely you don't get a benefit for not being able to read and write?! No offence to her but she should be learning - it can't be that hard to find a few hours a week.

And there are jobs which don't require reading to do - say, seamstress or box packer. Not very glam but good honest work.

I'm suprised no authorities are helping her learn to read, how will this affect her children!?

healy

As it is neither a physical or mental problem I would think it is unlikely that Incapacity Benefit would be awarded.

bonnie_2

you can do adult literacy and numeracy at adult education classes for free, the child care used to be free as well but not 100% sure on that now.
My husband can't read and write either but it's never stopped him doing anything.

hjb123

I shouldnt of thought that she should get incapacity benefit because she cant read or write - she can go on courses to learn this - no doubt the jobcentreplus would be able to help her do this.

Not being able to read or write is not a factor in itself - maybe it would be if an illness was making her like this.

black-saturn

Thanks for the replies. Just as I thought.

lil_me

I know of someone who claims Incapacity and DLA for Dyslexia.

black-saturn

No I dont think shes got that, just dont think she's ever bothered about learning to read.

Dora_the_Explorer_5

Illiteracy is not an illness, IB is for people who are physically or mentally incapacitated. However people with learning difficulties will qualify for IB, although of course many of them work.

KittyKate

I recieved help (non financial, recieved more time and learning aids) for my dyscalculia at Uni (number dyslexia). I now work on telephone faults - thousands of numbers a day! It can be done. I wouldn't have had as much drive if the government were willing to chuck money at me

Contains_Mild_Peril

Illiteracy would not be considered a disability in itself, but if there is an underlying learning difficulty, it might be possible she could qualify. If you want to be a good friend, maybe you could find some information about adult basic education/literacy classes in the area and pass it onto her. Even a very basic level of literacy could improve her quality of life far beyond her expectations. She may also be able to find employment in a job which does not require literacy if she has help with applications. Her local job centre should be able to advise her about this.