dss etc

daisy_may

Help me please. I am 57 and live with my partner, who is 10 years younger. He is at present on Incapacity benefit, and it looks like it's going to be a long job, however, we have our own house (bought from local council two and half years ago, so still in time re sale clause for redemption). We have a mortgage of £11000, and debts of £6500, because of out low income no-one will remortgage us, or give us a loan.
The DSS are paying the interest on the mortgage and we top up the actual payment, a very small amount. Our DSS income (for two people) is the princely sum of £108 per week,( because we took our a loan from them last year and are paying it back at £6 per week).
We plan to sell the house, maybe next year, to go do some travelling, we realize more and more how short time is. We know we will be taking a risk selling up but cannot think of what else to do, an early sale incures penalties from the council, and the loans we have seem to go on and on.(rather like me!!) Has anyone else been in this fix?:wall:

missile

If DSS will continue to pay the mortgage it may be a good idea to keep the house at least until you have had it three years and thus avoid the early redemption penalty.

Why do you not work? Even if you are unsuccessful in getting a job, you may qualify for job seekers allowance.

Your partner is in reciept of IB, but can he do nothing? He is allowed to earn a limited ammount before it affects his benefit.

daisy_may

:rolleyes: my job finished some time ago and we were advised by the jobcentre that the best thing to do was for him to claim for me, as I am new to the DSS system, (always having worked and never before made any claims) we took this advice.
As to the second part of your question, my partners illness is mental, not physical, not wanting to go into details, he is best not left alone, for long periods.:rolleyes:

missile

I did not mean to pry, just trying to help by suggesting some things you may not have thought of.

If he can't be left alone then I guess you are claiming carers allowance? I believe this is currently £45/week.

If you contact Social Services, you may also be able to get some respite care, so that you could work part time. I believe the limit is 16 hours / week before it impacts on your benefit.

daisy_may

Don't mean to sound awful,but, have you ever tried to get money from DSS? It's like pulling teeth with pliers! Because O.H. can wash and dress himself, they think there's no need for attendance allowance, and if you go down the route of respite, you have to pay for it.
All I really need to do is find somebody who will maybe point me in the right direction to ease my financial problems for a few months, then we can sell up and get on with the rest of our lives. I can't wait to get out of the system.:exclamati

margaretclare

Hi

Your OH would not get Attendance Allowance in any case - he's too young, AA starts at age 65. He could try claiming for Disability Living Allowance.

As missile suggests, it would be beneficial for you to sign on for Jobseeker's Allowance given that you have a work record. By doing that you would get your National Insurance contributions credited which is important for your retirement pension.

The DSS doesn't exist any more - it's the Department of Work and Pensions and the people you need to see are at the JobCentre Plus.

HTH

Margaret

missile

I think once you get through the red tape, you will find DWP are quite sympathetic and helpful to those deserving cases, maybe less so for the sore back don't want to work syndrome. I know of a couple who both claim disability from the UK whilst living in a huge €500,000+ villa and seem to have no problem swimming in their pool - that really nips my ......

daisy_may

:A I think perhaps it's just me, getting bogged down with everything.
I must admit that one of the nicest people I've spoken to was from the DWP mortgage section, she takes me through everything a step at a time, and explains things to me in plain English.
Thanks for letting me ramble on, and thanks for your suggestions.:A







If things don't change...they'll stay the way they are.

seven-day-weekend

missile wrote:

I think once you get through the red tape, you will find DWP are quite sympathetic and helpful to those deserving cases, maybe less so for the sore back don't want to work syndrome. I know of a couple who both claim disability from the UK whilst living in a huge €500,000+ villa and seem to have no problem swimming in their pool - that really nips my ......

So can't someone with disabilities have a villa and a pool?

firesidemaid

daisy_may wrote:

Don't mean to sound awful,but, have you ever tried to get money from DSS? It's like pulling teeth with pliers! Because O.H. can wash and dress himself, they think there's no need for attendance allowance, and if you go down the route of respite, you have to pay for it.

i don't know exactly what you are claiming in total, but i have been in a similar earnings situation and partner's condition (not knowing exactly).

your partner should be entitled to disability living allowance, of perhaps both the personal care and mobility. don't automatically assume that because you know your partner you think they might not qualify.

if you get this you should be able to claim carers allowance (and earn a little as well)as stated above.

sometimes it takes someone standing back to see what the illness can be like at it's worse - which is the standard you should use to fill in the forms. the forms may seem like hard work but can bring in some well needed extra money (eg average £65 extra per week and doesn't affect other benefits).

some areas have a benefits etc expert as part of their mental health team who will come to your house and help with all local and national benefits, including cheaper travel etc.

if you want any more help - happy for you to mail me