entitlements...

mrstb_2

Hi,
I'm new here. Just looking for some advice.
Without going into too much detail , up until 2005 I worked for a big employer, alot of the time I felt ill so I finally gave in and went to see a doctor, a serious condition was diagnosed and I needed several operations. I had them, unfortunately those operations ended with further complications.
Due to the amount of time needed off work i was eventually made redundant.
I didnt handle my illnesses very well, i was faced with decisions that i couldn't make and i ended up turning into a hermit.
At that point in my life i was ashamed, i had never claimed any type of benefit, I had always earned my own salary.
After losing my job i relied on my husbands salary to pay the mortgage and bills.
3 years later i finally faced up to the fact that I was unlikely to work for the forseeable future, yet i found it very hard to talk to others about it, even my husband.
I felt wrong living off my husbands salary and guilty because I had no income, i applied for Incapacity allowance in 2008, they sent a medical form out which I had to complete, it was the hardest form I ever had to fill out because I had to be honest about my medical conditions, in truth i was embarrased and angry with myself. I had a big operation in 2008 which went wrong, the results are that i will never lead the same life i used to have.
I filled in the form and they got back in touch, the reply said that i did qualify for incapacity and that I would not need a medical for the next few years, the information i gave them and the information they obtained from my GP qualified me to recieve Incapacity benefit BUT because I had not paid any NI for the previous 3 years 2005 - 2008 it meant that they could not pay me incapacity benefit, so although I did qualify they could not pay me it.
This was a further knock back for me and it caused me to get depressed and shut off. Since then I have relied on my husbands income, hes worked extra hard the last 5 years.
I feel embarrased about my condition and no I will not lead the same life i used to have. I live on strong pain killers ( fentanyl) my life is so different now.
I feel guilty relying on my husband and dont know what i would do without him.
It's been 5 years since i was made redundant, i haven't claimed any benefit, i attempted to claim the incapacity in 2008 in which i qualified but because i hadnt paid the NI for 3 years they couldnt pay me the benefit.
I now feel in a better frame of mind but hate opening up about my condition.
Does anyone know what benefit I may be able to claim?

Morglin

Here's a few links that may help you:

http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/index/life/benefits/benefits_for_people_who_are_sick_or_disabled.htm

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/Illorinjured/DG_10018913


http://www.turn2us.org.uk/benefits_search.aspx

Lin

GlasweJen

There isn't much that you can claim in your own right as your lack of NI contributions excludes you from contributions based ESA which has replaced incapacity benefit. Income based ESA will likely be out the window too due to your husbands income.

If you have any care or mobility needs (note that if you have a condition that makes you not want to leave the house you will be denied mobility component) you can claim DLA. The form is quite daunting and requires that you're brutally honest about how your condition means you are unable to look after yourself, the usual advice is to get help filling in from CAB or somewhere similar but this may be too hard for you in which case I'd advise keeping a diary of your care needs for 2 weeks and filling in the form from that.

MrsManda

Have a look to see if you're eligible for Disability Living Allowance:
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/FinancialSupport/DisabilityLivingAllowance/DG_10011816

It is worth you applying for Employment Support Allowance even if they cannot pay you money due to your lack of N.I. contributions/your husband's income as you will still get credited with N.I. contributions which will go towards future benefits and your state pension.
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/FinancialSupport/esa/index.htm

Don't feel bad about living only on your husband's income. A marriage is a partnership, and there's a reason the wedding vows say 'in good times and the bad, in sickness and in health'.
I've spent time worrying about the fact I don't bring much income into the household as I cannot work due to my health. But my husband always points out that I'm not being lazy, he knows I'd rather be working, I don't spend money unnecessarily and I support him in other ways - housework when I'm able, listening about his day, encouraging him and cuddles