Help with entitlements - Non worker and Panic Attacks

santaslittlehelper

Hi
This is my first time of posting but I am hoping that someone will be able to offer me some advice as the benefits people and CAB have not been very responsive.

My partner has been suffering with Severe panic attacks for about a year now. He was originally working and claiming SSP however he was made redundant in November 2009. He had not been there long so did not get much in the way of redundancy payments.

I am in full time employment and earning a reasonable salary (£28k)

He has been refused ESA as his NI contributions for the tax year 07/08 were insufficient and we have been told that he cant reclaim for another 2 years!!

Nobody seems to be able to tell us if there are any other benefits or help we could get. - I seem to think he should get free prescriptions and stuff as well but cant seem to find any information anywhere.

Sorry for waffling, hope someone can help.

Many thanks

karenx

There is ESA he could try claim. You wont get much help though because of your high salery. Free prescriptions would be if he was on a qualifying benefit

healy

santaslittlehelper wrote: »

Hi
This is my first time of posting but I am hoping that someone will be able to offer me some advice as the benefits people and CAB have not been very responsive.

My partner has been suffering with Severe panic attacks for about a year now. He was originally working and claiming SSP however he was made redundant in November 2009. He had not been there long so did not get much in the way of redundancy payments.

I am in full time employment and earning a reasonable salary (£28k)

He has been refused ESA as his NI contributions for the tax year 07/08 were insufficient and we have been told that he cant reclaim for another 2 years!!

Nobody seems to be able to tell us if there are any other benefits or help we could get. - I seem to think he should get free prescriptions and stuff as well but cant seem to find any information anywhere.

Sorry for waffling, hope someone can help.

Many thanks

He would not get free prescriptions.

I assume you live together, in which case you will be treated as a couple for benefits purposes and he would not receive anything.

Indie_Kid

karenx wrote: »

There is ESA he could try claim. You wont get much help though because of your high salery. Free prescriptions would be if he was on a qualifying benefit

Or if he had a qualifying medical condition.

bearacus

unfortunatly there is nothing! im in the same boat(its me who suffers panics) and due to not paying enough Ni (as i worked part time and went to uni) and my husband earning too much im not entitled to anything. They will pay your partners Ni stamp but thats all. It really is a horrible situation to be in and i have every sympathy with your predicament.

bearacus xx

santaslittlehelper

karenx wrote: »

There is ESA he could try claim. You wont get much help though because of your high salery. Free prescriptions would be if he was on a qualifying benefit

Although he is not getting an ESA benefit paid they are paying his NI contributions. Does this mean that he is 'claiming benefits'

Thanks

dmg24

santaslittlehelper wrote: »

Although he is not getting an ESA benefit paid they are paying his NI contributions. Does this mean that he is 'claiming benefits'

Thanks

He is, but not a means tested, qualifying benefit.

bearacus

From my experience your classed as not qualifying for benefits, so although they pay your stamp you do not receive free prescriptions or such.

The only thing i can suggest is getting a pre paid medical certificate as this makes prescriptions cheaper as your partner will be buying medication monthly (i presume) for his panics and it can run expensive. Push his doctor for counseling its surprising how much it can help.

good luck
bearacus x

santaslittlehelper

Thanks bearacus, its good to know that we are not the only ones in this sittuation.

newdawn_2

I think you need to ask the ESA section if a reclaim/ have claim reassessed when the Relevant income tax years changes to 08/09.

Seek advice from the processing section....

newdawn_2

Have a look at this link which explains contributions rule for ESA quite well

http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/benefits-tax-credits-minimum/248219-esa.html