Only receiving SSP

pmlindyloo

Trying to help someone and am a bit stuck.

Has been off sick (cancer) since December and is receiving SSP - no other benefits or savings.

Has a joint mortgage with a friend. Both single females, not partners.

I know that she is not eligible for IS and know that after SSP runs out she will be entitled to ESA.

However, she will have to wait 13 weeks until she is entitled to SMI.

My question is: can she apply for IS? I know she will not be eligible for any money but is there such a thing as a nil award which would make her eligible for SMI sooner rather than later?

She has been turned down for DLA and is going to appeal (not sure she will be entitled to it as the 6 months ongoing may be a problem as she is expected to make a full recovery.)

However, at the moment I am exploring WTC and CTB but the joint mortgage is a huge problem, particularly since friend is having to find all the money herself.

Any help gratefully received.

PS If she hadn't received SSP she would have been entitled to income based ESA with full CTB and SMI after 13 weeks so have some sympathy for her predicament.

cod3

Does she have critical illness cover on her life insurance? Probably not or you wouldn't be here asking, but worth checking. Sorry, no idea about the benefits.

pmlindyloo

cod3 wrote: »

Does she have critical illness cover on her life insurance? Probably not or you wouldn't be here asking, but worth checking. Sorry, no idea about the benefits.

Unfortunately not.

Thanks for the thought.

skibadee

It might be an idea for her to talk to a Macmillan Nurse, they are usually able to give advice regarding things like this, or maybe her oncology unit has a information centre which could help?

I wish her well.

pmlindyloo

skibadee wrote: »

It might be an idea for her to talk to a Macmillan Nurse, they are usually able to give advice regarding things like this, or maybe her oncology unit has a information centre which could help?

I wish her well.

Apparently they suggested she applied for DLA which has been refused.

Perhaps there is no other help except maybe some CTB and WTC.

Seems to be one of those things.

mikey_bach

SSP is a condition of entitlement for I.S, as you have stated she will not receive money but will get help with SMI,

she can claim I.S if she satisifies the conditions, eg no capt over 16k

pmlindyloo

mikey_bach wrote: »

SSP is a condition of entitlement for I.S, as you have stated she will not receive money but will get help with SMI,

she can claim I.S if she satisifies the conditions, eg no capt over 16k

Thank you so much for this. I had a feeling that this just might be the case.

So how does this work? Does she have to put in a claim for IS first and ask for it to be backdated - is it 3months maximum?- is the SMI done automatically?

Thanks again.

mikey_bach

She can put in a claim straight away and ask for backdating,
I think the maximum they would consider is three months, but this would have to go to a DM.
If awarded then SMI would kick in after thirteen weeks.
When she phones up to make the claim she will need to ask for backdating at this point and give reasons to why she want it.

Given the nature of her illness then hopefully they will award it.
She has had a lot to contend with and her time has been taken up with her illness
If they dont backdate her claim at the new claim stage she can ask for a recon, then appeal, she can supply more supporting evidence at this point
Hope she is successful

pmlindyloo

mikey_bach wrote: »

She can put in a claim straight away and ask for backdating,
I think the maximum they would consider is three months, but this would have to go to a DM.
If awarded then SMI would kick in after thirteen weeks.
When she phones up to make the claim she will need to ask for backdating at this point and give reasons to why she want it.

Given the nature of her illness then hopefully they will award it.
She has had a lot to contend with and her time has been taken up with her illness
If they dont backdate her claim at the new claim stage she can ask for a recon, then appeal, she can supply more supporting evidence at this point
Hope she is successful

Just one last question.:)

If her SSP comes to an end (it must be close) and she then has to apply for ESA, can she continue her backdated claim for IS and get the SMP through that, or will she have to wait the 13 weeks after her esa claim goes through?

I am very grateful for all your help.

mikey_bach

SSP should last for for 28 weeks, so if she is still on SSP and hopefully she is she needs to get the claim in straight away.

The twelve week backdating request will be considered and if awarded the waiting period for the SMI will be nearly covered...

When the SSP ceases she will then make a claim for ESA these claims will link and therefore if backdating is allowed, then she will carry on receiving the SMI from the
start of her ESA claim

If the back dating is not allowed, then she will have to serve the thirteen weeks from her the start date of her claim to I.S,
but when she transfers over to ESA the claims will link and after thirteen weeks she will be entitled...