Incapacity v's DLA

spdavies

Dear all,

My Wife is currently on incapacity allowance at the full long term rate.

We are considering applying for DLA instead (pretty sure we'd be entitled) but i'm not sure whether we would be better off or whether we should stick to our current entitlement.

Any thoughts please?

P.s she has not yet been re-assessed under the new scheme and i've no idea what effect that is going to have on us?

Oldernotwiser

Incapacity benefit (and also ESA) is a completely separate benefit from DLA and has different criteria. Many claimants get both, some get one or the other.

Muttleythefrog

Yeah op... view DLA as something different to IB.... unrelated. DLA is a non -means tested benefit for care/mobility needs.

IB and the new equivalent ESA are out of work benefits for those unable to work.

So rather than instead... I'd advise going down both routes... try to get DLA if you think she qualifies... because you have absolutely nothing to lose.... and continue trying to get IB and in due course ESA when she is migrated across.

zaksmum

You can claim both. I do.

spdavies

Oh - ok thanks everyone. I thought that it was either or.

I guess you're right - we have nothing to lose then.

Bamber19

spdavies wrote: »

Oh - ok thanks everyone. I thought that it was either or.

I guess you're right - we have nothing to lose then.

Indeed, the only thing lost may be the however many years of DLA entitlement (if she qualifies/qualified) that she's not claimed and never will be able to.

diane2243

its very hard to get disability living allowance but keep going took me 3 attempt to get it for my husband, he gets both incapacity and DLA. AND YES ITS NOT MEANS TESTED. GOOD LUCK dIANE

happy_lass

yep you can claim both benefits at the same time. DLA cos the person is disabled. Incap cos the person cannot work. Two totally seperate benefits and can be claimed at the same time.

Morglin

spdavies wrote: »

Dear all,

My Wife is currently on incapacity allowance at the full long term rate.

We are considering applying for DLA instead (pretty sure we'd be entitled) but i'm not sure whether we would be better off or whether we should stick to our current entitlement.

Any thoughts please?

P.s she has not yet been re-assessed under the new scheme and i've no idea what effect that is going to have on us?

This will tell you a lot about DLA, which is seperate from ESA and IB:

Many people get both DLA and ESA/IB. The advantages of DLA is that it's tax free, not counted as income, and a 'passport' benefit, often giving entitlement to other benefits/TC's.

http://www.benefitsnow.co.uk/

Lin