Income Support or Incapacity Benefit

John_T_5

I have asked the DSS on several occasions and they keep waffling about the answer so any help clarifying this answer would be greatly appreciated, I live on my own and I am on Income Support due to disability, am I any better off financially on Incapacity Benefit?

SMC_2

On IS you will be able to get housing benefit and free prescriptions, dental treatment etc... so that is probably worth more than a few pounds a week more being on IB.

Cat72

You are better of financially on income support- you also get more money plus your benefits entitle you to free prescriptions as the other Op said and is a recongised benefit.The gas board, electricity etc will accept minum benefit payments if you are on income support- but dont recongise incapacity benefit as being a state benefit. Incapacity benefit means you have to pay for dental and prescriptions.Also you have the dreaded health assesments- which I wouldnt wish on anyone. I have been on incapacity benefit and when I went to money matters they worked out that I would recieve more money on income support- but sadily I pass all my medicals because Im have been too ill !

John_T_5

Cat72 wrote:

The gas board, electricity etc will accept minum benefit payments if you are on income support

Sorry for asking a silly question but what do you mean by minimum benefit payments?

Cat72 wrote:

Also you have the dreaded health assesments- which I wouldnt wish on anyone.

I still have to do the assessments and I am on Income Support :-(

Well at least I have a clearer picture than when I asked the DSS, I think I will stick to Income Support, thanks Cat72 & SMC for your advice.

Broken_hearted

We get both

SMC_2

Cat72 wrote:

.Also you have the dreaded health assesments- which I wouldnt wish on anyone. I have been on incapacity benefit and when I went to money matters they worked out that I would recieve more money on income support- but sadily I pass all my medicals because Im have been too ill !

If you are on IS on the grounds of illness you have to have all the medicals etc.....

Chrysalis

Cat72 wrote:

You are better of financially on income support- you also get more money plus your benefits entitle you to free prescriptions as the other Op said and is a recongised benefit.The gas board, electricity etc will accept minum benefit payments if you are on income support- but dont recongise incapacity benefit as being a state benefit. Incapacity benefit means you have to pay for dental and prescriptions.Also you have the dreaded health assesments- which I wouldnt wish on anyone. I have been on incapacity benefit and when I went to money matters they worked out that I would recieve more money on income support- but sadily I pass all my medicals because Im have been too ill !

hmm are you sure that IS with disability component doesnt require a medical? I thought people who didnt qualify for incapacity due to not paying enough NI get put on IS but still subject to a PCA.

SMC_2

Chrysalis wrote:

hmm are you sure that IS with disability component doesnt require a medical? I thought people who didnt qualify for incapacity due to not paying enough NI get put on IS but still subject to a PCA.

Yep that is the case, I am in that position get IS cause I hadn't worked and didn't have enough NI but am subject to the PCA.

astonsmummy

My mum is on incapacity and gets the same amount as i did on income support, dunno anything about dental care etc. she's never had to go for a medical tho

singlehouseholder

If you're in receipt of IB you do get free dental/prescriptions- you have to apply for a certificate though, by first completing a HC11 form, I think?? The reason people on IB dont automaticaly qualify is because IB isnt means tested. People on IB can still qualify for help but you need to fill form in, have a look at the "prescrption pricing authority" website, under PPD then on the left , "help with healthcare costs." There's alse something called "med ex" which are exemption certificates, which you might qualify for depending on your condition.