Am I getting the right amount?

cowgirlmuppet

I am a long term MSE'r but am posting under a new name, as I know how fierce this forum can get.
I am wondering if I have been underpaid by DWP, and need to get my facts straight before I contact them.
I am 32yrs old, sinlge (and always have been), get DLA HRC and HRM and no-one gets CA for me (and never has). I get the disability premium and the enhanced disability premium (about £13pw) on my IS but should I be getting the SDP (about £58) aswell or instead?
I do think its unlikely that they could have paid me incorrectly all this time but....I do know someone who was paid the wrong rate of IB for 14 years and only realised after commenting on a different post here on MSE. She got a hefty backdated lump sum and now gets the right rate, so it can happen and the onus is on the individual so who knows?
P.S. As said, I know how this forum gets so please, if you want to debate whether I should or should not be "paid" by the taxpayer etc, can we start a separate discussion and just keep this one fact-based on the original issue.
Know that sounds harsh, but as regulars on here know...

mynameistallulah

Do you live alone?

Horseunderwater

http://www.nhs.uk/CarersDirect/moneyandlegal/carersbenefits/Pages/Severe-disability-premiums.aspx
Might help make a bit more sense of this.

bored_at_home

yes you should be getting the SDP , but be aware there was recently a cut off time put in for back payments being claimed for it.
that means regardless of what others have had happen in the past you may not now get it backdated, but hey just getting the extra premium is still a good result.

mynameistallulah

bored_at_home wrote: »

yes you should be getting the SDP , but be aware there was recently a cut off time put in for back payments being claimed for it.
that means regardless of what others have had happen in the past you may not now get it backdated, but hey just getting the extra premium is still a good result.

Unless she lives with someone - the OP states that she is single, not who she lives with.

Anubis_2

Yes, you are right, Tallulah. I read about someone who had their SDP removed. Cut a long story short, son moved out, live alone. got SDP. Son moved back in, SDP removed. Son moved out to Uni, SDP reinstated.....until.....she got a letter stating she had been over paid and her SDP was stopped.

The reason was is that her son was living in Uni Halls, and for the purpose of benefits, Uni Halks is only considered "temp" accommodation, and son was therefore classed as living at home still :eek:

SDP is going to go for some claimants anyway when UC comes in, so it appears.

cowgirlmuppet

I live in the same house as 2 family members, but independantly.

cowgirlmuppet

Anubis, what's UC and when is it coming in?

mynameistallulah

cowgirlmuppet wrote: »

I live in the same house as 2 family members, but independantly.

In that case you will not qualify for the SDP. If you were to live alone you would qualify for it.

UC is Universal Credit. If you do a search there are many posts on the subject, some which have links with more information on.

cowgirlmuppet

can someone please explain how they define "living alone" etc, as it seems couples can claim, even if they are living together. No wonder people get so confused!

Anubis_2

cowgirlmuppet wrote: »

can someone please explain how they define "living alone" etc, as it seems couples can claim, even if they are living together. No wonder people get so confused!

Click here http://www.nhs.uk/CarersDirect/moneyandlegal/otherbenefits/Pages/how-much-income-support.aspx

Scroll down the page and click on "show" on the premiums line. Then scroll down a little to severe disability premium and that explains about people living with you.

Generally, another adult is ignored as living with you if they are registered blind or in receipt of DLA high rate care, or AA high rate care. However read the description