Should I change benefit payment thing?

gaogier

Hello

I have a question from a couple of friends also here.

First thing is me.

I currently get Income Support - I currently don't work, and I am currently recovering from the 5th operation in 3 1/2 years. Job centre know the situation I am in, and I am currently "trying to learn" to set up an online business (webhosting) of which I have a few clients - of which are getting free hosting until I can get this done correctly.

Apparently due to the operations I get Disability Living and carer's - anyway I now have a car on motability which is great - first time in ages I can get out of the house - although I can't again till xmas due to road works - they are digging up my path - no way to get out in a wheelchair. In fact people have to jump over next door's garden wall to get to ours. We do have a backway but its too dangerous for me to use.

Am I on the right benefits? - do I need to change?


A friend about 20 years old - has been kicked out of his home due to unable to afford the rent after losing his job, apparently he was staying with a military friend who is no longer with us. He had to pay the remaining fee himself - but the company he was working for went bust. He is currently staying on friends sofas - what does he do? - Sorry I don't know any more info on this.

Another friend - about 45 does not work due to a trapped spinal cord or something - and receives incapacity. This persons child turned 19 and left college, no longer gets child tax credits, child support etc... anyway they have housing benefits, and due to an "overpayment" they are reducing the money they pay - all fine so far. However since the child has turned 19, they have said they are going to remove 9.50 ish from the housing benefit payment - the total payment of the rent is just under £100 per week, they are where paying £89 per week due to the overpayment - however they are now paying £35 per week due to the child now being 19. Thats not right surely? What do I advise them to do?

MrsManda

gaogier wrote: »

I currently get Income Support - I currently don't work, and I am currently recovering from the 5th operation in 3 1/2 years. Job centre know the situation I am in, and I am currently "trying to learn" to set up an online business (webhosting) of which I have a few clients - of which are getting free hosting until I can get this done correctly.

Apparently due to the operations I get Disability Living and carer's - anyway I now have a car on motability which is great - first time in ages I can get out of the house - although I can't again till xmas due to road works - they are digging up my path - no way to get out in a wheelchair. In fact people have to jump over next door's garden wall to get to ours. We do have a backway but its too dangerous for me to use.

Am I on the right benefits? - do I need to change?

I don't know about Income Support but if the DWP is aware of your situation and say you're entitled to IS then it's likely to be the right benefit for you. If you have mobility and/or care needs you are still entitled to receive DLA so you can still claim that.
Is there a reason you think you need to change what benefits you are claiming?

gaogier wrote: »

A friend about 20 years old - has been kicked out of his home due to unable to afford the rent after losing his job, apparently he was staying with a military friend who is no longer with us. He had to pay the remaining fee himself - but the company he was working for went bust. He is currently staying on friends sofas - what does he do? - Sorry I don't know any more info on this.

He needs to speak to his local council's housing officer - they'll have a homeless advisor who will be able to tell him what help is available. It's also worth calling the DWP benefits helpline as he should be able to receive out of work benefits such as JSA.

gaogier wrote: »

Another friend - about 45 does not work due to a trapped spinal cord or something - and receives incapacity. This persons child turned 19 and left college, no longer gets child tax credits, child support etc... anyway they have housing benefits, and due to an "overpayment" they are reducing the money they pay - all fine so far. However since the child has turned 19, they have said they are going to remove 9.50 ish from the housing benefit payment - the total payment of the rent is just under £100 per week, they are where paying £89 per week due to the overpayment - however they are now paying £35 per week due to the child now being 19. Thats not right surely? What do I advise them to do?

I believe the £9.50 is a non-dependent deduction. Because the child has turned 19 she's no longer counted as a dependent and is therefore expected to pay her way. Does the child work/have an income?

gaogier

MrsManda wrote: »

I don't know about Income Support but if the DWP is aware of your situation and say you're entitled to IS then it's likely to be the right benefit for you. If you have mobility and/or care needs you are still entitled to receive DLA so you can still claim that.
Is there a reason you think you need to change what benefits you are claiming?

I would just like to earn more than the £25 I am allowed to... I mean I want to get off the benefits - who would like to stay on them for the rest of their lives? As it would appear that this operation is another failure and not taken.

MrsManda wrote: »

He needs to speak to his local council's housing officer - they'll have a homeless advisor who will be able to tell him what help is available. It's also worth calling the DWP benefits helpline as he should be able to receive out of work benefits such as JSA.

He was doing all of this, not sure if he still is, I just feel helpless.

MrsManda wrote: »

I believe the £9.50 is a non-dependent deduction. Because the child has turned 19 she's no longer counted as a dependent and is therefore expected to pay her way. Does the child work/have an income?

I know the 19 year olds contract - 15 hours 5 days per week 3 hours per day earning £6.09 per hour. That is £91.35 per week - then tax and NI off that - not sure how much he is taking home. What I have worked out, the 19 year old has to pay all of his wage on rent. Just to balance the books. Thats not right surely?