Income support/JSA/CHILD DISABILITY ALLOWANCE HELP!

sharonworth80

Hi

I need some advice/help, my partner and I have 4 children 1 of our children has a disability where he gets DLA middle rate care and lower mobility, I also claim carers allowance, We have been on JSA for a while now My partner has struggled to even get an interview, so we both thought that if we swap and I will look for work as I have better chance. So today we phones the jobcentre up and explained that we wanted to swap and that I also claim carers allowance as my son is disabled, the lady over the phone said it would be better if we claimed income support instead, eh? but one of us could work so why income support? she did say over the phone that I could go back to college instead of looking for work as I couldn't if I was seeking work but my thoughts were to study and work in the care industry to then become a nurse via health and social care.

Has anyone else been told that a couple who have a disabled child to calm income support instead of JSA or have I been told wrong and in doing so will mess everything up and could be left with no money, I don't know what to do arghhhhhhhhhhhhh

kingfisherblue

Friends of mine have been told that they can claim IS as a couple, as their child has severe disabilities (HRC and HRM), but only for six months. Their son has physical disabilities, learning difficulties, challenging behaviour and mental health problems.

Anubis_2

You can claim IS as a carer which should include an amount for your partner. There shouldn't be a six month limit unless rules have changed - can you explain more about the six months limit KFB?

If you are better seeking employment, what you need to do is your partner be the carer for your child if he is able to care for the child 35 hours or more per week. If so, get the CA in your partners name, then your partner can claim IS on the grounds of being a carer, it will include an amount for you, and then you can look for a job.

http://www.nhs.uk/CarersDirect/moneyandlegal/otherbenefits/Pages/IncomeSupport.aspx

kingfisherblue

Hi Anubis, unfortunately I only know what my friend has told her. Her husband was on IB, but was given a medical for ESA late last year. He didn't get enough points and was transferred to JSA.

However, their son has a number of disabilities and medical problems and my friend struggles to cope with her son if her husband is not there. Her child can be violent and has caused her injuries requiring surgery. She was very worried about coping if her husband found a job, as her son's condition is worsening.

She was advised to contact the Job Centre about a joint claim for IS. She did this with her husband and they explained their circumstances. A claim was opened, and about ten days later she received a letter stating that they were successful due to current circumstances. The letter stated that they would have a joint claim for IS for six months, when her husband would be transferred back to JSA. She did say that she would appeal this if necessary - her son is not going to make a miraculous recovery!

Her son is now receiving additional treatment and help, which she has been fighting for. He is also hopefully going to attend a special school from September, where the staff will be more experienced in his kind of difficulties. My friend has so far been refused a Statement and a place for her son in special school, but his mainstream primary have admitted that they can no longer cope, despite 1:1 care for him.

The six month period ends in October, but my friend will be appealing for the joint IS to continue as her son needs two carers for so much of the time. She doesn't know why she was only given a limited time, and I think we both assumed that this was normal practice, as neither of us had heard of a joint IS claim for parents of a disabled child before this.

mikey_bach

There is no six month rule for claiming Income Support, if someone has Carers Allowance they can claim Income Support for themselves and their partner. It should be a straight forward swap over from JSA to I.S, the person who has the CA will be the I.S Customer and claim for their partner. The JSA needs to be closed then the I.S claim can be processed

kingfisherblue

The JSA claim has been closed, AFAIK. I will pass this information opn to my friend, as it seems she may have been misinformed by the Job Centre. Thank you.

Anubis_2

Yes, I would look into it. Does her award letter actually state the 6 month limit? I must admit, i have never heard it before but presumed it might be a rule change. If it is on the actual award letter then it might be the case. If it is just what someone at the JC told her, it may be a mistake.

mikey_bach

There is no rule, her husband may have to attend WFIs but doesnt have to take up anything, they are just for information and advice.
If he doesnt attend they may sanction.
Dont let the friend be bullied into closing the claim, he cant claim JSA IB and be the partner on an I.S claim, so she can keep the I.S claim open as long as she has COE, condition of entitlement

kingfisherblue

Thanks Anubis and Mikey - I will let her know. I don't know what it says on the award letter, so it might just be what she has been told by the JC. I think that is the most likely scenario, and that it is just a mistake.

sharonworth80

thank you for all your advice