Severe disability premium

rainbowwand

Hi all,

I have recently been awarded DLA (LRM & MRC). I receive no other benefits and this is my sole income (I have applied for ESA but am yet to hear back). I live alone and no one is paid carers allowance for me.

I was told that I might be entitled to the Severe Disability Premium but I am confused as to whether I also have to be in receipt of benefits on top of my DLA (such as ESA or JSA) or if I qualify with only having DLA?

Can anyone clarify this? And if I do qualify, how do I go about applying for it?

Thanks

DerbyDD

The severe disability is an premium addition to your ESA, if you are successful. You qualify if you have a disability, receive middle/high rate care of DLA, live alone and no one receives Carers Allowance for you.

Muttleythefrog

"Single rate

If you're single, you may get the lower rate premium if you:

• live alone
• no one gets Carer's Allowance for looking after you
• you get the middle or highest care component of Disability Living Allowance

Couples (higher rate)


If you have a partner, you may get the higher rate premium. You may get this if no one else lives with you, no one gets Carer's Allowance for looking after you and either:

• you both get the middle or highest rate of the care component of Disability Living Allowance
• you get the middle or highest rate of the care component of Disability Living Allowance and your partner gets Attendance Allowance

Couples (lower rate)


If you have a partner, you may get the lower rate premium if no one else lives with you and either:

• you both get the middle or highest rate of the care component of Disability Living Allowance, and Carer's Allowance is paid for only one of you; or
• you get the middle or highest rate of the care component of Disability Living Allowance and your partner gets Attendance Allowance, and Carer's Allowance is paid for only one of you; or
• you get the middle or highest rate of Disability Living Allowance care component and your partner is registered blind, and no one gets Carer's Allowance for looking after you

The Severe Disability Premium can be awarded in addition to other premiums."

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/FinancialSupport/OtherBenefitsAndSupport/DG_068683

To apply I think you'll need a form IS10 from DWP.

welshgirl20_2

You need to be receiving another benefit such as JSA or ESA or qualify for the severe disability premuim you cannot get it on its own.

skater_kat

do you have to apply for the premium via this form mentioned, or once the DLA is awarded, will the ESA automatically include the premium from when the dla was in effect?

Mupette

skater_kat wrote: »

do you have to apply for the premium via this form mentioned, or once the DLA is awarded, will the ESA automatically include the premium from when the dla was in effect?

I had to keep pestering ESA for mine, they said i would have to get proof from DLA, so i would call DLA who said that ESA would know and i didn't need to send anything to anyone...

Don't you just love departments that don't talk to each other

rainbowwand

Thanks for the info on this folks. Sometimes it's really confusing trying to work out what you are (or are not) entitled to

NASA_2

Its all straightforward really.

There are dedicated sites containing this information.

rainbowwand

NASA wrote: »

Its all straightforward really.

There are dedicated sites containing this information.

Maybe for some. I find some sites (and maybe I'm looking at the wrong ones) to contain information that can be quite ambiguous. For instance, I didn't find a single site that clearly stated in order to receive the SDP you have to be claiming DLA as well as another benefit such as ESA. It was inferred on many sites but hey ho I know now so no biggy

suelees1

You've applied for ESA and when you get the decision it will show how it's been calculated. If it doesn't show the sdp then you need to send the Jobcentre a copy of the DLA decision. Usually the DLA unit lets the Jobcentre know electronically but as your is a new claim it might just get missed.

If you've got any housing or council tax benefit it could make a difference to that so let the LA know.

happy_lass

call the benefit enquiry line on 0800 882 200. they are really helpful. I think you have to be on an income based benefit such as ESA, Income support,etc. I am no expert though. The benefit enquiry line are really really good and very friendly and helpful. Let us know how u get on.