Jobseekers/DLA

stan1990_2

Right here goes my problem,

I have been unemployed since leaving college around May and because of a lack of activity in finding work i tried to apply for Jobseekers but was told i couldnt get it then, because my parents were still recieving child benefits. After that point i was then told because of my disability in epilepsy i could apply for DLA (disability living allowance) so i applied for that and sent out several letters in proof and explanation of my problems with it.

However, it had been months and i had yet to hear anything and because of no work being found (not for the lack of trying, believe) and my child benefit having ran out, i was able to re-apply for jobseekers allowance, which i did. At this point i had literally assumed i wouldnt be getting DLA because i had heard nothing for a good few months.

I then attended all my interviews at the job centre and got it all sorted and was then just a case of waiting for my first sign on date and payments. During that i then got a letter out of the blue saying i would get DLA, a mobility care rate of £18.95 a week and a basic care rate of £47.80 a week plus the backdated from the original date of claim.

So i then almost immediately went down to my jobcentre (assuming i would either have to have one or the other) and explained to them. The woman i told said to me that due to the fact i could recieve DLA while working i could also recieve jobseekers whilst out of work while i am getting it, so there was no problems there.

However, this morning i got my letter from JSA saying i would get £79. 85 a week. My initial reaction was like "wow, no wonder so many people refuse to work with near on £160 a fortnight. However i then turned over to see that the payments had been explained. I would recieve £51.85 on my living expenses and £28 extra money because i am disabled.

So what do i do now? Is it right to recieve disability payments from Jobseekers aswell as DLA? Or was the woman at the jobcentre a divvy and i should only get one or the other? My mom said not to worry because it all goes on my national insurance number and one of the two would have refused it but i cant help but worry.

Any advice/answers would be very greatly recieved, thank you.

Hammyman

Yes it is perfectly right to receive it. The two payments are for entirely different reasons. DLA is because you need help getting around and with doing daily tasts. The disability supplement to JSA is because it costs you more to live due to your disability. TBH I think you'd be better on ESA as it'd allow you to skip the 6 month wait for training etc plus you'd be eligible for a whole raft of sweeteners to employers for taking on disabled people which might just give you that added advantage when applying for a job

DLA is not counted as income for the purposes of income related benefits for future reference.

stan1990_2

Thanks for your reply.

So i take it i should therefore have no qualms about loosing one or the other and can take the money paid into my account with no problems? Only id hate to be in the situation of having to give it back!

marie_16

Hey i'm in EXACTLY the same situation as you, getting the same money for both DLA and JSA. It's totally correct that you get both and the money is the same as what I have had confirmed. Don't worry, I thought the same at first but was reassured everything was right! I wasn't even aware that because I get dla i'd get more jsa, as i am still getting the dla.... confusing but hey ho!
Good luck in your job hunting, i'm finding it so hard as i can only stick to jobs in which i'm sat down for most of the time (due to nerve damage) so it's just annoying with no experience in any job like admin/reception as everyone wants experienced people

Marie
x

stan1990_2

Marie, thanks for that. In addition to this, does anybody know if somebody who is working 20 hours a week can they receive carers allowance, only my mom is classed as my carer and would it effect any money I receive from it?

Hammyman

Yes someone can claim as long as they care for you for at least 35hrs a week and don't earn more than £100. As your mum works 20hrs, even at national minimum wage it puts her above the £100 threshold.

stan1990_2

Ok so to bump up older thread but need some help on an additional problem with this and as you were a great help before this was my first idea. Anyone who didn't read this before I would really appreciate if you skim read the OP and then offer some advice.

Does anybody know if I will lose any of my benefits (lower mobility rate, middle care rate, JSA as still can't find suitable working and the extra money I receive through that for my disability) if my mom claims for caring allowance for looking after me. She earns less than £100 per week and does around 16 hours per week.

Advice on this would be again, greatly received.

stan1990_2

Noone to offer help on this then?

GotToChange

Sorry Stan - it looks as though no-one's around to help with this; I for one don't know enough - BUT - try posting the question on the benefits sub-board; I think there may be more readers of this type of question there? Or maybe the Disability & Dosh sub-board?

MrsManda

If you get severe disability premium as part of your JSA you may lose this:

The benefits of the person you care for - direct.gov.uk


If you claim Carer's Allowance, it could affect the amount of benefit the person you care for receives.
The person you care for could lose the severe disability premium in their income-related benefit or the addition for severe disability in their Pension Credit.

Your DLA will be unaffected

stan1990_2

Thanks for the replies!

My mom (who is caring for me) phoned this morning and she got told that none of my income will be effected because I still live at home with parents and the extra money I get for my jobseekers (assuming it isn’t that severe disability premium that MrsManda mentioned and just a standard form of disability money?) won’t get effected as well as my DLA. Anyone able to verify this?