Ask the CCCS a benefits question

Ozi

Hi,

I have a question about ESA.

I'm a 33 year old Londoner with Secondary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis and after 15 years employment at the same company and the natural progression of my illness, I have stopped working since April after choosing to take medical retirement.

I've informed my company of the only government benefit which i receive which is DLA. The money i receive from DLA is deducted from the 80% of my salary which i receive from my company which works out at about £1100 per month. My employers have since asked me if i am in receipt of ESA. I have never applied for ESA and am not sure it is something i'm eligible for as i do receive a salary of sorts on a monthly basis.

What is ESA and is it something i'm eligible for?

thanks,
Ozi

StepChange_Pavan

pinkaholic88 wrote: »

Can I apply for any benefits? I have just graduated from uni and am going travelling in october so currently finding it really difficult to get any work? Can I get job seekers or anything?

Thanks

Hi pinkaholic88 and thanks for your question.

If you have finished your studies, the Jobcentre Plus will confirm the official course end date (which might not be the same as your last day at uni), and you can normally claim Jobseekers Allowance starting the next day.

There are 2 types of Jobseekers Allowance - one is based on National Insurance contributions you have paid in previous jobs (contribution based), and the other is based on your income, including the income of your partner if you are living together (income based).

You will also need to be available for and actively seeking work whilst claiming.

If you are renting your own place (rather than staying with family), you may be able to claim help with your rent and council tax bills. Jobcentre will also be able to advise you on this.

For further information see www.direct.gov.uk.

Kind regards,
Pavan

jinxyj

Hi I'm a single parent with 2 children (5&6) and I currently work 20hours a week, I receive CTC and WTC. My boyfriend and I are considering living together however he is a student and only works part time. I can't find any way on the HMRC site of working out how much my CTC and WTC will be effected if he moves in. Can we claim for CTC and/or WTC jointly even tho he's a student? Is there anywhere I can go to get advice? Thank you.

bizkaz

Hi, i left my employment (of nearly 10years) last year to renovate our house..we have now almost finished so i am looking for another job. My husband earns about 30,000, we have two children and have a mortgage and (now) a few maxed out credit cards.. I dont think i will be able to get any benefit as he earns so much but would i be able to get my stamps paid now i am looking for work again.
Thanks
K

Hollyberry1

Hi
My partner has been sent to prison, and will not be home until June 2013.
We have always claimed Child Tax Credits together.
Several prongs of the same question, I think...
Do I just say that he has left me and our daughter / do I tell the truth? Are there penalties for not telling them straight away?
I have changed jobs, and have not told them...
I am about to apply for Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit. If I am successful do I have to tell the Child Tax Credit people?
When I claim Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit do I just say that he has left me and our daughter / do I tell the truth?
Sorry for there to be so many questions when I know you are very busy, but I have to phone the Tax Credit helpline this afternoon, and thought I would check with you first!!
Many thanks in advance

Allie_Ballie_Bee

Hi
I am about to be diagnosed with a chronic illness. I hope to continue to work but I am unable to cope with full time. Currently I am a single parent and I recieve CTC and WTC plus Child Maintenance. My child is staying on in further ed so far but he is past school leaving age. If he leaves further ed I will no longer recieve TC's and maintenance. Are there any benefits I could apply for to top up my part time income? I have a mortgage so not eligible for housing ben.
Thanks
Allie

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lainey2436 wrote: »

Have multiple disabilities, Diabetic t1, heart attacks, memory problems, all got worse in last 12 months yet failed a medical and have had to appeal my self as cant get appointment until after the 1 month deadline. Very upset over this. What if I get refused again. Very worried

Hi lainey2436 and thanks for your question.

I'm sorry to hear about the problems you've had claiming benefits.

You don't mention which benefit you are appealing - maybe Employment & Support Allowance or Disability Living Allowance?

If you have asked for your benefit decision to be looked at again without a hearing (a "reconsideration" or "revision") and you are unsuccessful, you will have a further month from the date of that decision in order to ask for an appeal hearing.

If you asked for an appeal hearing and are waiting for a hearing date, it is still well worth seeking advice if you can, to help prepare your case.
You could also get advice on any other benefits you may be able to claim if you are unsuccessful in your appeal.

Your local council may have a welfare rights department (see your phone book or council website), or you could try Citizens Advice Bureau or the Disability Advice Network:
www.dialuk.info
www.citizensadvice.org.uk/index/getadvice.htm

I hope this helps,
Pavan

StepChange_Pavan

DX2 wrote: »

Surely CB and CTC ends as the children no longer reside with the parent?

Hi DX2,

Sock-knitter mentioned that she has spoken with both Jobcentre Plus and the Tax Credits Office regarding her claims and they have advised her to continue claiming benefit.

There will be certain circumstances where Child Tax Credit and Child Benefit continue to be paid.

Kind regards,
Pavan

StepChange_Pavan

reai01 wrote: »

Hi MY husband receives the lower rate of DLA mobility and lower care DLA, he used to qualify for working tax credit before we were married, but now our joint income is too high for him to qualify. However is there a disability element of working tax credit that he should be getting regardless of his level of household income?
Thanks

Hi reai01 and thanks for your question.

Working Tax Credit is made up of a number of different elements; one of which is the disability element. This in itself does not automatically qualify you for this benefit.

When making an assessment, the tax credit office will work out your 'maximum amount' which is made up of the various elements for which you are eligible. They then look at a percentage of the household income above a certain level, and where this is greater than your maximum amount, you would not qualify.

I hope this helps,
Pavan

StepChange_Pavan

jinxyj wrote: »

Hi I'm a single parent with 2 children (5&6) and I currently work 20hours a week, I receive CTC and WTC. My boyfriend and I are considering living together however he is a student and only works part time. I can't find any way on the HMRC site of working out how much my CTC and WTC will be effected if he moves in. Can we claim for CTC and/or WTC jointly even tho he's a student? Is there anywhere I can go to get advice? Thank you.

Hi jinxyj and thanks for your question.

Unfortunately, benefits for students are a specialised area which we don't provide advice on.

I would recommend that your partner contacts the student liaison officer at his University for further advice.

Kind regards,
Pavan