I'm doing something wrong,just had a baby and am on incapacity

Grinchy_2

Hi all
I'm 20 (21 in April) my Son is six weeks old and I am getting incapacity benefit at about 65 quid a week(I was very ill throughout my pregnancy), I get 17.50 for child benefit, I tried to claim the sure start maternity grant when he was born but the dss say I'm not entitled to it as I'm in receipt of the wrong benefit, I tried housing benefit as I live with my sister and pay her 30 quid a weekbut that was refused as I'm not a tenant, I'm not allowed milk tokens, I'm really struggling and feel that I'm doing something wrong, is there anybody that can help me??
I rang the dss for income support and the woman that filled the claim in over the phone said I would definatly be entitled to income support which would allow me to receive milk tokens, but the dss refused the claim, can I claim on my sons behalf?
Thanks
Beki

real1314

you need to claim Child Tax Credit (CTC) from Inland revenue (https://www.hmrc.gov.uk)

You'll get £45 ish a week

IB £65. CTC £45, CHB £17.50 = £127.50 approx weekly income.

Once you've been on IB for 12 months it should increase, although you might also be able to get IS at this point, or if your IB stops, you'll be able to claim IS then.

Bettyboop

If I were you I would go down to the local job centre and sort it out. I don't know to much about benefits but instead of getting the run around over the phone, go in an refuse to leave until the fix your claim.

Good luck.

Morglin

Try this:

http://www.entitledto.co.uk/

But, I would think the reason IS/milk tokens are being refused is that you are classed as living with family, and that your income is seen by the DWP as enough to buy milk etc.,

Lin

Grinchy_2

Hi all and thanks for your replies, I tried to get the child tax credit but once again was refused, I'll try the Job center and will post again if I ever get any joy
Beck

missk_ensington

You need to kick up a fuss because they have awarded you the wrong benefit, you should be in receipt of Income Support and even though you were ill during your pregnancy you still should have claimed Income Support, or changed it over to that at 28 weeks (or whatever the threshold is for IS)

If they have filled in the forms over the phone then it is their fault, and you need compersating. You have to put this in writing and go in (perhaos leave baby with someone for half an hour so that you can concentrate on the matter in hand) and look as smart as you can (I know its wrong, but people are NOT objective and they WILL judge you if you go in looking like Vicky Pollard) try to speak as politely as you can, again you dont want to sound like an idiot or they'll treat you like one.

If you need any help PM and I'll help you write a letter or something, it gets me so mad when people can't do the job they're paid to do. If it is their fault you have the wrong benefit you should be looking at getting it changed, and reimbursed for the time you should have been getting Incomr Support (at least the six weeks since you son was born)

Good luck!

Broken_hearted

I thought the grant was to buy things you can't afford for the baby. I think you should try again for it. We got one for £100 in 97 even though DH worked full time.

Fran

Grinchy,

To make sure you get all you are entitled to a visit to your Citizens Advice bureau would be best, you can tell them your situation and they will have all the info to hand. Take in paperwork so they can do a calculation for you.

singlemum1983

Hi, if I were you would definately try again for Sure Start Maternity grant. I got one for both my children, first time round i worked full time and wasnt on any benefits and 2nd time i was in receipt of CTC and WTC. I thought everybody who had a baby was entitled to it regardless of how much you earned or which benefit you are on! You can download the form from DWP website and post it off. You have to do this before your baby is 3 months tho!
x

pookienoodle

hi, sometimes you do not qualify for the surestart grant before the baby is born but do afterwards so definatly apply again.
have you been on incapacity benefit for a wile or just since the late stages of being pregnant?

Grinchy_2

Hi
I tried to get income support when I was 4 months preg, as I'd lost my job and couldnt get another as no-one would employ me as soon as I said I was pregnant, the dss said I wasnt entitled to income support so my Mum(Grinchy) said to try for incapacity benefit,which I was awarded. I applied for the sure start and milk token at the same times,but the dss said I wasnt entitled as incapacity benefit isnt one of the benefits they pay out on, I tried again when my son was born and was again turned down, so I'm now on incapacity when I dont need to be, cos I'm now available for work, I rang them and they said if I wanted to come off it, I would have to send in a doctors note to say I'm fit, but I'm scared that if I do that, they will once again find a way of not letting me claim any other benefits and I'll be stuffed,cos my son needs milk and nappies, my sister needs rent, I need food, I'm sat here crying cos I just don't know what to do.
thanks for all your replies, I'm gonna read through them and then get started.
Beck