Special rules DLA claim and WTC

GlasweJen

So I called tax credits last week to advise a change from middle care, low mobility DLA to high care high mobility DLA as I'm now on special rules (fastest DLA claim ever, I was impressed).

Tax credits said I'd be on a different disability premium and I'd hear from them. No tax credits at all this week so I called to see what was going on and apparently I'm going to get all of my remaining award in March 2012! Apparently this is perfectly legal as long as I get it before April but I've only got 5 months left to live (theoretically). Surely they can't do this?

I was told you can't appeal and there's nothing I can do to force them to pay up.

I stil work over 16 hours a week.

Oldernotwiser

I don't know the answer to your question but I just wanted to say that I hope that you're OK and your condition hasn't worsened.

My Dad claimed DLA under the special rules and had it backdated for 10 months!

GlasweJen

Welcome back ONW, missed your presence.

I got a chest infection and it spread to the muscles so I'm on the urgent transplant list with a 6 month expectancy, cut my work hours down because I'm just not up to 40 hour weeks but I'm not going out without a fight.

pmlindyloo

Sorry to hear about your troubles.

Are you saying that you aren't getting any WTC at all or are not getting the extra severe disability element until March 2012?

If you aren't getting any WTC then you would need to appeal but if it's 'just' the extra disability payment then you need to complain (I'm guessing the latter).

To refuse/delay payment until March makes no sense whatsoever!

So, options:

1. Telephone Tax Credits again and hope you get someone who knows what they are talking about.
2. Make a complaint and/or appeal (according to which scenario it is)

Useful info:

http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/index/your_money/benefits/problems_with_benefits_and_tax_credits.htm#making_a_complaint_about_benefit_and_tax_credit_service_standards

If you have no joy and you are near a CAB which has a welfare and benefits specialist you could ask for support from them.

GlasweJen

I never got any at all this month so I assume it's nothing until march. The woman on the phone said I can't appeal it so how do I do this?

lorelai34

If I'm being honest you will need to phone them again. I don't doubt what you have been told but it certainly does not seem correct. Payments would either stop round about this time if renewal hasn't been completed or if you have been overpaid last tax year and they are recovering it all until March. What should have happened is that you would have phoned told them about the high rate dla and the advisor would have sent a referral for it to be checked before being updated as the advisors on the helpline are not allowed to update dla and you would have been given a different tel no to call if you hadn't heard after 14days. Do you know if this happened?

GlasweJen

I told them about the change last week. Don't have an alternate number to calk just the one that ends 3900.

Going to call and speak to someone else. I've definitely renewed as I have all my paperwork for this years award pre-change and I don't have any over payment that they've told me about.

LadyMorticia

Don't have any advice for you, lovely but just wanted to say that I'm sorry things are worsening at the moment.

I really hope that you get a transplant asap.:grouphug:

Also, good to see you back ONW. I've missed you around these parts.

lorelai34

Let us know how you get on please

skipsmum

bumping this in case someone who knows looks at the board today,
best wishes xx

sleepless_saver

[QUOTE=GlasweJen;46736129 No tax credits at all this week so I called to see what was going on and apparently I'm going to get all of my remaining award in March 2012! Apparently this is perfectly legal as long as I get it before April but I've only got 5 months left to live (theoretically). Surely they can't do this?

I was told you can't appeal and there's nothing I can do to force them to pay up.

I stil work over 16 hours a week.[/QUOTE]]


It seems ludicrous. I'd go straight to my local MP's surgery on this one.

I've seen some of your other posts, glaswejen, and am so moved by your strength in dealing with all of this. Like others, I've signed up for organ donation as a result.