Benefits available to someone unable to work due to health

Muttleythefrog

Yah Op... advice above seems sound. Basically ESA is a benefit for those unable to work due to sickness/disability (it can be got if SSP runs out while in a job). But assuming the worst happens and they leave work or get dismissed then there will be the option of ESA. To get ESA during assessment phase (you get assessed at end of it!) they'll need probably the backing of their doctor in the form of medical certficates declaring unfit for work - probably not a problem since they're probably getting such now for work. Once assessed (after around 3 months) they will get more money if they 'pass' and are found to have limited capabilities in relation to working (if they fail they'll have to appeal or claim JSA probably). There will be the possibility of housing benefit and CTB in a means tested sense. DLA they may qualify for... this is not means tested... i.e. can be working, can be a millionnaire... it has mobility and care components... it is worth looking into because many outsiders might make too narrow assumptions about what would constitute care and mobility needs in relation to this benefit.

The benefits system is incredibly complex... and nooks and crannies is a term I'd use to describe some other potential help they could get. They may get things like cold weather payments, help with heating costs and disability premiums. Some benefits act as a kind of passport to getting other things... other things that may not even be provided by the DWP or local authority... free prescriptions... warm home schemes etc. View ESA (the unable to work equivalent of Jobseekers allowance) as designed to meet the basic costs of living (food, utilities, clothes, entertainment etc), HB and CTB as benefits to ensure you can live where you do, DLA as a benefit to meet additional costs associated with disability.

If they consider taking a benefits route in the future then getting the support of the medical profession could be valuable... it would be worth thinking about this in advance... like ensuring GP is kept up to date with difficulties and appropriate treatments and diagnoses are sought... and that copies of medical reports, appointments, tests, treatments are kept.

nannytone_2

you are confusing housing benefit with LHA. at the moment ( plans are afoot to change this) if you are living in a council or housing association property and are on means tested benefit, your entire rent is paid, regardless of your bedroom entitlement.

it used to be that sick/disabled people that were unable to work were entitled to income support.
those that had sufficient NI contributions claimed incapacity benefit and those that hadn't received income support.
now there is ESA which has both comtribution based and income related to cover all sick/disabled people.
and that will soon be replaced by universal credit and PIP.

how confusing lol

sunnyone

CandyApocalypse wrote: »

I think you have already had some good advice based on the above posts, so will just add what I can really.

My partner is signed off for health reasons, and for some reason gets income support, plus DLA, plus housing benefit and council tax benefit. Be aware however that housing benefit may not cover all of the rent that your friend currently pays. Because we were unable to find a one bedroom place, we have to find an extra £20 a week to pay the rent on our private accommodation, and rates have been cut again (we're currently protected for a year)

Regarding utilities, it may be worth your friend calling them up. I know for example that a lot of energy companies will offer free insulation for those in receipt of certain benefits. E-on currently has an offer where you send back a form, and if you qualify you have a chance of getting £120 towards heating costs this winter.

I also know that from speaking to certain utilities, those in receipt of ESA and mobility related DLA etc do have a chance of getting special tariffs - water in particular, but it does only apply to those affected mobility wise.

Good luck to your friend anyway.

Are you claiming IS as a couple?

DLA mobility will not automatically get you a discount for water rates, neither will ESA, you shouldnt post if you dont have a clue what you are taliking about.

CandyApocalypse

sunnyone wrote: »

Are you claiming IS as a couple?

DLA mobility will not automatically get you a discount for water rates, neither will ESA, you shouldnt post if you dont have a clue what you are taliking about.

Yes, we are claiming as a couple at the moment.

And regarding the water rates, I was told, by the utility company, that if my partner had been signed off for mobility issues instead of mental health ones, and was receiving certain benefits related to that then they could offer us a reduced tariff. So that was taken directly from an employee at the water company, and if that is a mistake, I apologise.

Also, I have just literally sent back something to E-on which states if you are in receipt of certain benefits (ESA being on the checklist for suitability, along with DLA) then you have a chance of receiving a grant this winter for energy costs relating to heating. So again, that is taken from a form I received direct from E-on

Also, finally, please note, I said 'have a chance of getting' In no way did I say it was a certainty, I just based it on the two occurances I have stated above.

I posted in an attempt to help, as does everyone here. Whether your comment was intended that way, it came across as rude, which I didn't appreciate considering the fact that all information was based on what I was told by companies in question. Perhaps it is a one time thing, who knows, but worth mentioning. I also stated that the friend would be best off calling them to ask, rather than saying, they will get this for definate.

I don't want to come across as trying to argue, I'm just explaining my POV and why I posted what I did.

eddy51

Hi My son came off of Severe Disablement allowance and income support to have a go at self employment through a disability work agency. For most of the time he didnt work and lived off of his back to work bonus and tax credits with disability addition. He was told of the 52 week linking rule when he started work.
We were begging him to sign back on as he got into terrible debt and the family were all having to financially help him.
When he did finally claim he was just within the year (by a few weeks) He was told he cannot go back on his old benefits and is now signing on JSA. As he has diagnosed mental health condition he even forgets to sign on. I feel he is now not having access to the support he needs.
When I asked about people who are getting SDA now, I was told they stay on it, so surly the 52 week linking rule must be recognised in his case?
I really need some advice about this please if anyone can help?

fannyanna

Thanks for the additional posts.

This family member would much prefer to remain in full time employment and they are lucky that they have the full support of the medical profession. Their consultant was shocked to find out that their work was trying to push them out and offered to write a letter of support. In addition the family member is covered by the Disability Discrimination Act which whilst this doesn't safeguard them 100% it does make it a bit more difficult for their workplace to oust them.

Fingers crossed it never gets to the point where they are left unemployed however it is useful to know what benefits would be available to them as it would probably be very difficult for them to get another job straight away because of their current health and their sickness record so far for this year.

It's just ironic though that the workplace don't understand that the additional stress they are putting on this family member does not help the situation. Most people appreciate that stress can have a physical impact and this doesn't help anyone especially not someone who is already suffering from ill health.

Oh well, that's life eh.

Once again thank you very much to everyone for the information provided.