Ib/is

Bryando

I get credits from the Incapacity Benefit section, yet get Income Support.

Can anybody explain this to me?

I sent in a letter informing of my studies. Then a got another letter to tell the Incapacity Dept the same! Would have thought they could have taken from my file, save a little money sending me a letter asking for the same information alongside the administration involved.

Hammyman

It is the public. Common sense isn't a strong point - in fact its pretty much completely missing. I know it makes common sense, you do and pretty much everyone else in the real world does but in the public sector, they are more interested in justifying wasting money like above in order to justify their jobs.

Not to worry, I reckon the cost cuts could eventually see such common sense implementations. Tax Credits is another one where they'll send two identical letters addressed identically to one household if its a joint claim.

stazi

Yes, it's simple.

You have claimed two benefits- IB & IS. The IB & IS sections may be in the same office, or they may not.

You didn't qualify for IB because you hadn't paid enough National Insurance contributions in the required tax years before your claim. You are awarded a 'credit' each week for your NI records, and must still continue to satisfy the IB medical called PCA.

You are entitled to means tested IS so long as you are treated as incapable for work by satisying the IB medical.

Since Oct 2008, for new claims, IB & IS have now been replaced by one benefit called ESA- that has both a contribution part and a means tested/income based part.

By 2014, everyone on IB & IS will have to satisfy the much tougher ESA medical, before they can be transferred onto ESA.