Incapacity Benefit - Getting element of Income Support

jenny81

Hi

Wondered if anyone can help. I'm on Incapacity Benefit (long term) and get approx £106 pw (inc age addition) and DLA of £18. My question is can I change part of the IB so it is paid as Income Support, a nominal sum of £1. So £105 IB and £1 IS per week.

I think I was told / read this was possible a while ago, but can't remember the source and if anyone knows how I go about doing so please.

Thanks in advance

stazi

Sorry, this is not/never has been possible. The only way you can get IS is if you are entitled. Call JCP on 0800 055 6688 to make an IS claim and JCP will then decide.

Benefits_Bod

Is the DLA the care component?

If so, has your condition changed such that you may now be entitled to the middle rate? If you are entitled to either the middle or higher rates of DLA(care), you would be deemed "severely disabled" for means tested benefit purposes. That *could* mean not only an increase in the amount of DLA, but a further potential increase of up to £53.65 per week in the amount of money the government say you can live on. The £53.65 represents the Severe Disability Premium which *could* be part of your applicable amount (i.e. needs allowance).

*Could* because there are circumstances where the severe disability premium cannot be awarded. For example:

1) if someone receives Carer's Allowance in respect of you (although, there is a convoluted exception to this....).

2) If someone else (other than a dependant) lives with you.

The above two examples are not exhaustive.

In the event of there being entitlement to the Severe Disability Premium, your applicable amount would NORMALLY look something like this (exclusing any housing costs that may or may not be allowable) - this assumes you are a single claimant living on your own:

Personal allowance: single person (25+) £65.45

Premiums: disability premium £28.00
Premiums: severe disability premium £53.65

TOTAL: £147.10

If your only income is Incap @ £106 (DLA being fully disregarded), you would be entitled to £31.10 Income Support.

CAUTION: As you may know, any request to change the rate of DLA rate engages the risk of you losing DLA completely!

jenny81

Thanks for that information. Yes it is the care element of DLA, but no my circumstances haven't changed so I might be entitled to a higher rate. They aren't likely to improve or worsen for the forseable future.

I'm looking to get some sort of IS to help with being entitled to prescriptions etc and in the future Mortgage Relief Interest, which I understand can only be claimed if Income Support is received.

I have just meet the criterea again after my recent medical to continue on IB and have been told I'm best staying on this while I can and not ESA.

Indie_Kid

Have you filled in a HC1 form? You may get help with prescriptions that way.

jenny81

No I haven't, as I'd like to just try and secure an element of Income Support as this will enable me to be receive all the entitlements I need.

dmg24

Do you have any other household income?

The HC1 would cover any prescriptions you need.

jenny81

No, there is no other household income and I live alone.

The reason for wanting to get help with the mortgage costs when I buy a house in the near future. Are because in the past five years while I have been on benefits, I've been renting from private landlords and three times the owner has wanted to return or sell the property. Which means I have to find another property that meets my needs and is located close to where I need to go for treatment and near family. So it seems buying somewhere which will permanent will be better long term and help with the aim of getting back to work eventually.

Have been reading online and it says about having been in continuous receipt of Income Support for 13 weeks. I have done this earlier in my claim, would this qualify or does it have to be currently?

dmg24

You can only claim SMI for existing housing costs. Plus with all respect, how do you expect to get a mortgage and deposit when your income is only £106 per week?

welshmoneylover

jenny81 wrote: »

The reason for wanting to get help with the mortgage costs when I buy a house in the near future.

Sorry to have to tell you this, but I don't think the banks will give you a mortgage while living on benefits. There is a financial crisis going on and they're very picky who they lend money to.

In addition, do you think it is fair to expect the taxpayer to fund a house purchase that you will financially gain from in the future?

jenny81

The deposit etc will be financed by family, so there won't be a problem with getting a mortgage etc.

With regards to gaining financially from the taxpayer. I'd like to point out that a) Before benefits I was a higher rate tax payer b) I and family have funded and continue to fund on a private basis operations/treatment to try and aid recovery.

I have tried to be as little burdon on the State as possible and would like to try and gain as much independance as possible. Hopefully go back to work at somepoint in the future, but first I need to deal with my rehabilitation and can't continue to rely on family. Hence why I'm asking these questions, I don't feel I'm sponging in anyway.