Does Anyone Know What Help We ARE Entitled To?

gravitytolls

Further to our recent DLA refusal, I called Jobcentre Plus.

DH has been off work with spinal injury for 12 weeks. He tried to go back to work, part time, light duties, after 6 weeks. After 3 weeks back at work, he is in a worse state than before (yes, he should have been patient, as the physio advised). He has now not worked for three more weeks, and it seems that he will not be able to return to his current job, due to the nature of his problem.

Currently, he is unable to work at all, as he cannot sit, stand, lift, stretch etc., without riskking further damage, and certainly taking constnat pain to excrutiating agony levels.

Anyhoo, job centre plus.

They say, because we receive child tax credits, working tax credit (increased by £20 wk, since receiving SSP), and SSP. It seems we don't qualify for Income support, as our income is at teh same level as income support would be. But, no IS means we miss out on other help - school meals, milk tokens etc.

We also qualify for no help with mortgage, as we have only had it for 3 years, and won't qualify until 6 mths without work, when we can receive IB. However, due to the 3 weeks part time work, the countdown only started 3 weeks ago, not 12 weeks ago.

Well, I've cashed in the ISA, to help keep us afloat for a while, but I'm a bit gutted, as that money as the children, college and the like.

Anyhoo, the question, rather long windedly is, is this it? Do we need to wait until he is well ebnough to work again, or for 6 mths to qualify for any other help?

Many thanks to all who advise on these boards. Your advice is truly appreciated.

hjb123

You ought to try getting some help from your local Citizens Advice Bureau who should be able to advise you how much of what you are entitled to. You could also try putting your details into https://www.entitledto.co.uk

I realise how hard it will be for you struggling on benefits - I am in a similar position though on Incapacity and the money hardly covers everything!

gravitytolls

Thanks Helen. No, it's been along time since we've had to manage on benefits. But the situation is, that DH's health is poor, and he needs help just getting his socks on, never mind anything else.

The financial situation is such a worry. How come you read about all these people who receive masses of handouts? I can't believe it really exists.

Prudent

Are you entitled to disability benefits? If your hubby can't work due to illness he ought to get - plus you may be entitled to claim carer's allowances for him. If he can't even put socks on can you claim DLA?

hjb123

I would get some help from teh CAB and they should be able to advise you what to do next.

It must be stressfull for you both at the moment, perhaps you may be entitled to some kind of carers allowance?

earthmother

Sorry to hear of your problems - we went through the same about 5 years ago when my DH was first made disabled.

I assume you had the DLA refused either because you applied too early (he has to have been in this condition for 3 months or more, and need it for another 6 at least), or because you did as so many do on their first application, and put a brave face on things. If you haven't already, it would be worth phoning the DLA and asking for a review/reassesment of the application. It may mean more forms, but from the sound of it, he should be entitled, and you will get back pay at the end of all this if the award is made after all.

Once he has a DLA award, you should be able to claim Carers Allowance, providing you spend at least 35 hours a week looking after him and don't earn too much yourself.

And if the award is high enough, he has the option of taking on a Motability vehicle - which will, I assure you, be cheaper month-to-month than any vehicle you are currently running. It can also be adapted should he need it, and grants can be obtained to help with this.


Until then, I'm afraid it appears you are receving pretty much all you can in terms of main benefits. However, assuming your only income is benefit derived, there are other associated benefits you may be able to get.

Free school meals are based on income - you should be able to get a form from your local LEA or even the school office - we receive IB and CTC and qualify for them.

Milk tokens are awarded automatically via the CTC for any children under 5, so if entitled, you should get them soon.

You should be NHS exempt because of income - you can apply for it yourself (form HC1 at chemist/job centre), but if your Tax Credits award is high enough, you should get it automatically. Remember to get a FP57 receipt for any prescriptions you pay for in the meantime, and you can reclaim those costs once your exemption is confirmed (you can't get these receipts at a later date - you have to request them from the chemist when you hand the script over). Any other health costs in the meantime (hospital travel, glasses etc) can be reclaimed via form HC5 (job centre/hospital/GP) so long as you get receipts.

You should also be able to get council tax benefit - you need to contact your council for this, but it could mean a substantial reduction.


And last but not least, it may be worthwhile trying to get an OT assessment from his employers. He may be pleasantly surprised and find they can offer him some other employment suitable to his disability, but if not, and they decide they cannot offer him any form of suitable work, they should terminate his contract, at which time the WTC will stop. You shouldn't loose any money, as other benefits will increase/start, and it will probably make things a little simpler with regard to benefits reviews and associated entitlements.

The only thing you will loose if WTC stops is any childcare payments you're claiming - you won't get anything until they turn 3 without WTC.


Self-refer for an OT assesment from your local Social Services disabled team and they will help provide aids around the house such as grab rails in the bathroom for him, and the Red Cross can also provide smaller aids (sock pullers for example) VAT free.



I think I've covered most things. It can be very scary when you first start having to deal with all this, but if you can keep your head, it does get easier (emotionally if not financially).

(((Good luck)))

ezzmo

Hi. the only thing worth pointing out here is, If you get income support, dla and claim carers they actually take the carers allowance back of your income support. (this happened to me!) which sort of defeats the purpose.
Kath

earthmother

They take the CA (£46.95) off IS, but they add a carers premium (worth about £27 if memory serves) on.

So you are better off than if you hadn't applied for CA, although obviouly not as much as you'd hoped.