Benefit help please

joe_purdy

Hi,

Im just wondering if anyone can help me, im finding the whole benefits very confusing, ive used a benefit calculator but am a bit confused between the different sections.

Im 20 and not able to work due to illness (which is uncureable). I was working 30 hours although had to give my job up in march as i was not able to cope and had to have an operation and am having another in September. I currently work 3.5 hours a week and take home just £17.43 although some weeks im not able to make it all but my employer is very good and has seen my decline.

I claim high rate mobility and low care DLA. I struggle to walk a few steps, on a bad day i cant walk at all. I have to visit the district nurse everyday due to a large open wound that does not heal, im under the hospital for this. I can sit down without a dunla pillow (memory phone ring) due to severe dis comfort and have to have to everywhere with me.

I do have some savings from when i was working and am aware this is taken into account. I have £5000 in a 2 year bond until June 2013 and £5000 in a stocks and share bond until December 2015

If anyone could offer me any help i would really appreciate it.

Joe

HappyMJ

Well done on the savings at such a young age. What are you looking for exactly? Help with housing?

joe_purdy

I live at home with my mum. I was looking at income support or ESA but dont know if im entitiled to anything so just wanted opinions on people who are more clued up than myself

HB58

Your entitlement to claim contributary ESA depends on your NI contributions during the past 2 tax years. You might be entitled to some income based ESA, but that would be reduced due to your savings. Even if you are not entitled to any money, you would get your NI contributions paid via ESA if you meet the assessment criteria.

karenx

Also as you have over 6k in savings it's taken into account for means tested benefits

rogerblack

karenx wrote: »

Also as you have over 6k in savings it's taken into account for means tested benefits

To clarify - the capital can't be withdrawn without penalty - this doesn't mean that it won't be taken into account, if you could take it out.

The amount that would be taken into account would be the amount if you withdrew it now, after penalties.
If you can't withdraw it at all, then the value would be the amount you can sell the rights to them on maturity.
It would only be in rare cases that they would not be taken into account at all.

von

I suggest you claim Employment & Support Allowance - see http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/moneytaxandbenefits/benefitstaxcreditsandothersupport/illorinjured/dg_172014 on how to claim.

kerrypn

ASITIZ wrote: »

what "incurable illness this week then?

Whatever it is, I very much doubt it is as severe as your rudeness, which, sadly, appears to be terminal