Benefits for person with long term illness and part time job

sph1984

Hi everyone, this is my first post so please be gentle!

I'm 26 and have suffered with depression for over 10 years. I have worked full time on and off for several years and have found that I can't work full time at the moment because I mentally can't cope with it. Luckily my employer has allowed me to cut down my hours. Long term I would love to work full time like everyone else but it's important right now to deal with my mental health problems.

My problem is that it seems I'm not entitled to Employment and Support Allowance or Income Support because I do work. I have been told that you can't claim these benefits unless you are off sick. I really want to work because I haven't been brought up to live on benefits and not work. I just feel that I need some help to get through this time that I can't work full time. I don't see any solution to the problem other than going on long term sick leave which I REALLY can't bare to do and I know isn't the right thing to do.

I can't live on £250 a month. I live with my parents but have to pay them rent, pay my dad £100 a month that I owe him, run a car, pay for medication, pay my mobile phone bill etc. I feel like I'm living on borrowed money all the time and it gets me down that I can't leave the house without considering if I can afford to pay the petrol to go and pick up my nieces or go to a friend's house. It's making my health worse and at this rate I will end up going on long term sick pay.

If anyone has any advice or knowledge that could help me I would really appreciate their help. Sorry for the long message!

Thank you in advance.
Sarah

dmg24

How many hours do you work?

sph1984

I work 15 hours a week term time so an average of 11 hours a week.

dmg24

Does your weekly income (not averaged) come to less than £95 per week? If so, you may be eligible for ESA.

McKneff

Because you live with your parents you are entitled to nothing I;m afraid.

Under normal circumanstances of course you could live on £250 a month. Paying your board and lodge to your parents of course should come out of this, then you would have at least £100 a month to call your own.

You really cant expect the tax payers to help you pay a loan to your father, run your car, pay for your mobile phone bill for you.

Cut yor expenses down, get rid of the car, get a paygo phone,
ask your father to delay paying your debt until you can get back to full time work.

Sorry if its not what you want to hear but that's life and I hope you feel better soon.

dmg24

McKneff wrote: »

Because you live with your parents you are entitled to nothing I;m afraid.

Under normal circumanstances of course you could live on £250 a month. Paying your board and lodge to your parents of course should come out of this, then you would have at least £100 a month to call your own.

You really cant expect the tax payers to help you pay a loan to your father, run your car, pay for your mobile phone bill for you.

Cut yor expenses down, get rid of the car, get a paygo phone,
ask your father to delay paying your debt until you can get back to full time work.

Sorry if its not what you want to hear but that's life and I hope you feel better soon.

They may fall within the permitted work rules for ESA.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/FinancialSupport/esa/DG_171909

MrsManda

Have you put your information into a benefits calculator to see what that says you are entitled to?
https://www.dwpe-services.direct.gov.uk/portal/page/portal/ba/lp?_piref278_36249_278_36248_36248.__ora_navig=action%3Dentitlement%26pageno%3D16

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

You may be entitled to low income benefits such as Income Support though I don't think you'll receive HB/LHA or CTB as you live with your parents.

Do you get Tax Credits?

If you have care/mobility needs you may be entitled to Disability Living Allowance,

It's worth making an appointment with the Disability Employment Advisor at your local JCP as they'll be able to help you with information about benefits and applying for what you are entitled to.

Have you filled out the HC1 form to see if you are entitled to help with prescription costs?
http://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/HealthCosts/1128.aspx

sph1984

dmg24 - My weekly income averages out to £70 a week but I was told that I couldn't claim ESA because I work.
McKneff - I understand what you're saying but if I was 16 and decided to get pregnant I'd get everything handed to me on a plate. I'm not saying that's right but the benefits system is flawed if they'll help people who have never worked but not give a hand to those that have worked and WANT to work. I can't live with my parents forever, and they can't afford to keep me, let alone lose £100 a month that I can't afford to give them.

Prinzessilein

If you are on a low income you may be able to get free prescriptions for your medication. If you earn too much for this, then get a prepayment certificate...if you are on long-term medication it will probably work out cheaper.

Also, make sure you check your mobile phone-tariff. There are some fairly cheap rates on offer if you look around.

You state that you have had depression for over 10 years, but only recently has it impacted upon your work. Have you been back to see your GP/Specialist? Maybe a reassessment of your medication will get you back to be able to work full time?

dmg24

See my link above, you can claim ESA if your hours of work are restricted as a result of your condition.

sph1984

MrsManda - Yes I have filled in a benefits checker before but it's difficult to gauge because they don't give you the choice to say that you're living with parents so most benefits don't apply to me.
I didn't know about the HC1 form so thank you I will definitely try that!