Need a little help working out figures!! Disabled & Muddled!!

Mads13

Hi

Im currently working self-employed (not made any profit in the last year though :mad: ), which im stopping in next 4 weeks due to being very ill and health deteriating severely. Ive been told I will be entitled to Income support for my hubby and I, and Child Tax Credits for my disabled 10 year old daughter, but struggling with the amount I will receive . I suffer with Lupus and FMS, daughter is partially sighted.

These are the benefits we receive at the moment:

Husband receives Carers Allowance £54.25 per week (looking after me FT)
I receive Carers Allowance £44.35 per week (looking after daughter)
Daughter Receives DLA £54.90 weekly
I receive DLA high rate care £74.35 weekly
Child Benefit £16.50 weekly

We currently get WTC & CTC with disabled premiums etc, but understand this will stop when i give them a definite date for which im stopping work. What I would like to know is:

(1)What will the total amount of Income Support for my husband and I be, including disability premium, 2 x carers premium, etc?
(2)How much Child Tax will we get with the disabled premium etc?
(3)Does the DLA and Carers Allowance count as income and how much will they take off?
(4)How long will it take to sort the benefits out, as we have no savings?

My head is so muddled (probably the meds )and can not get a definite answer for weekly amounts etc and as Im totally housebound, I can not get to the CAB or DWP office. It makes no difference as I know I cant work at the moment, but would like to know, so I can start budgeting better.

My husband would love to work, but he is my full time carer, having to bath me, help me to the loo, in and out of bed, up and down stairs etc. I feel so sorry for him, we're both only 30 and just totally fed up. :mad: I hate the thought of having to go onto Income Support, but we really have no choice at the moment.

Any help would be so apreciated, or even if you could guide me in the right direction.

Thank you for taking the time to read my post.

Mads13
xxx

Fran

Hi Mads,

I haven't got time to do any sums at the moment, but just replying so you know someone's read it! I'll have a look later if no-one else has given you answers. One thing though is that DLA can be received whatever your income as it is paid for the extra costs of disability. Carer's Allowance is taken into account and deducted from Income Support and the important thing would be to claim it anyway because of the underlying entitlement.

Mads13

Hi Fran

We already claim 2 lots of carers allowance, my husband for looking after me and me for looking after our daughter.

Hope this helps and look forward to your reply later.

Mads13
xxx

Fran

Hi mads,

This is what I've come up with - but it does need checking by CAB or similar.

You could ring the DWP Benefits Enquiry Line which is a helpline for disabled people & their carers - 0800 882200 (assuming Eng/Scot/Wales). They can help with sending out forms etc.

With your Income Support entitlement, I have assumed no savings over £3,000

If you get Income Support you should also enquire about Housing Benefit (if in rented accommodation) and help with housing costs (if own your home) and Council Tax Benefit.

You should apply for Higher rate Mobility- DLA

On Income Support with disability you should get a Cold Weather Payment of £8.50 sent automatically if weather bad enough for a week or more.

You might be entitled to Incapacity Benefit - needs checking with CAB or Welfare Benefits Advisor (you should be able to then claim Income Support too to top up your income).

The Sums
.......................................£ ...p
Income Support (weekly)
Income Support couple rate 87 . 30
Disability premium couple.... 33 . 85
Enhanced disability premium 16 . 75
Carer's premium 1.............. 25 . 55
Carer's premium 2 ..............25 . 55
_______

...................................£ 189 . 00


Disability Living Allowance (weekly)
DLA daughter, middle rate care 39 . 95
" " lower rate mobility .............15 . 55
DLA (you), higher rate care .....58 . 80
" lower rate mobility ...............15 . 55
______

......................................£ 129 . 25

Child Tax Credit (yearly)
One child .................545 . 00
Child entitlement.......1625 . 00
Disabled entitlement...2,215 . 00
_________

...........................£ 4,385 . 00

£4,385.00 divide by 52 (weeks) = £ 84 . 33 (weekly)


The carer's allowances will be taken off your Income Support £ for £, but the entitlement to it means you get the carer's premiums.

Disablity Living Allowance is paid regardless of any other income.

In April the amounts will be different.

Please check these entitlements though as I am not giving you them in a professional capacity.

CAB might do home visits - check your local one.

You might get help from charities associated with your disabilities, an internet search should bring them up.

Good Luck!

Mads13

Hi

Thanks Fran! Have called IR again and they said we should get the family element, child element plus the disabled child element?? Is this correct? Im so confused. DWP said that we should have a rough amount of £289 pw inc the carers allowance-some from Income Support and the other from IR. Plus the DLA on top...sounds too much, but not complainig if this correct

Thanks
Mads13
xxx

Fran

In the sum I did I only put disability rate for child tax credit, but if you get child element too that seems to work out as what they are telling you.

You could phone the helpline (phone no in previous post) if you're still not convinced to double check too, also ask them about a form for applying for higher rate mobility. Also it's worth having a word with your CAB by phone if you can't get in there.

I missed Child Benefit off the previous post too which you will of course still get. - Unfortunately though it will be taken off your Income Support, forgot to say.

I've altered my "sums" post to add in the child entitlement to CTC.

My sums come to £273 . 33 for Income Support/CTC. The difference between that and the "£289" they have quoted you is about £16. It could be that they haven't taken off the Child Benefit from your Income Support.

It is confusing! :rolleyes:

Mads13

Hi Fran

I have been told that if i ask for the high rate mobility, can they not over turn the whole desision? I have severe mobility problems, getting up and down stairs, in and out bath, constant pain etc, plus loads of other problems-wetting bed and worse, husband has to help wash me etc, mental health problems as well, but feel lucky with my current cliam aftre reading some other posts and dont know if i should rock the boat..if u know what i mean

Any advice would be most welcome. My claim runs to 2007. Can i ask just for the mobility to be looked at. Im in progress of changing to a new great GP, should i wait and get her full backing??

Thanks fran-your a star!!

Mads13
XXX

Fran

Yes when you apply for Higher Mobility and you have a claim there is the potential for them to look at the whole claim, but from the bit that you have described of your condition I wouldn't think it would affect your Care rate of DLA, so it's definitely worth applying.

(But, that is my opinion, not as a professional, you should ring CAB or Benefits Advisor and describe your situation to them re mobility and see what they think.)