Disability element, WTC

LL30

Hiya,

It's never straight forward is it? In a nutshell: now entitled to DLA, so rang TCs to inform them. Not heard anything since (about 2-3 weeks ago now) so rang just to see what's happening (I'm closing my claim in a matter of weeks, so I know it'll cause even more problems if my claim goes inactive). Anyway, they don't know why it's not been sorted. They gave me another number to ring which is devoted to DLA TC referrals. That number is permanently engaged - I can't even get in a queue and you can't do ring back on it.

Anyone else had these problems? I'm thinking of ringing TCs back tomorrow after 2 days of getting the engaged tone for the other number - I have really tried! Any other ideas? I might just do a letter recorded delivery to TCs too, just to be on the safe side.

Thanks xx

benefitbaby

Hi, the phone lines have been an eternal problem with tax credits (and you are trying to get through at the second busiest time of year for them), I think you should write and keep a copy, you should set out exactly how you meet the disability element conditions.

The disability element is payable if the you, or at least your or your partner if it is a joint claim:

• is engaged in qualifying remunerative work for at least 16 hours a week and
• has a physical or mental disability which puts him at a disadvantage in getting a job and
• satisfies the “qualifying benefit test”

The HMRC tax credit site details what the above means in practice.

LL30

Ah, so it's not just me going mad! Right, I will sort a letter out then. All the advice I have taken suggests that it is not necessary to outline why you meet the criteria, as TCs do it automatically - is this not correct? I'm SE, I had to give up my job in April due to psoriatic arthritis and was granted DLA in May (although I only got told a few weeks ago). Would outlining this suffice? I do 30-40 hours a week SE, which I can work around my illness - employed work just isn't an option for me until I'm stabilised. To throw a spanner in the works, I'm reducing my SE work to a bare minimum as I start my MA (with support) in a few weeks, so I won't be entitled any more anyway.

Thanks for your help xx

benefitbaby

Technically you do not have to set out why you think you qualify however because the criteria is so specific this can cause errors and the tax credit office often raise overpayments which can be a nightmare to challenge.

If you do not want to set out an overview please ensure you invite the tax credit office to contact you if they need any further information to determine your entitlement and keep a copy.

PS good luck

LL30

Good luck - that's what you need with all this disability malarky! I was fine until November last year, then a bad reaction to an insect bite and BANG! Arthritis! I am the poster child for 'it could be you' I wasn't even going to bother applying for the WTC disabled element, as I didn't want any more forms to fill in. I find the whole thing so stressful as I'm struggling with the 'disabled' tag as it is. Now I'm in two minds as to what to do. I think I'll sleep on it, I couldn't bear an overpayment scenario.

Here's hoping these blooming nasty cytotoxic immune suppressing injections sort this damned thing out. Thanks again, food for thought xx

benefitbaby

I didn't want to frighten you off... as long as you clearly detail your DLA, ask them to review your entitlement and contact you if they need any more information then you have covered all the bases you can. If in doubt talk to a CAB/similar to help you with the process - that's what they are there for

Keep smiling x

bigbill

Now that you have DLA you only need 16 hours self employed to keep some tax credits

LL30

Can anyone verify that I'm calling the right number: 01912251441 it's still not working (well, engaged) Putting pen to paper now anyway, but it's strange that either there's a fault on the line for this length of time, or they're that busy that I can't even get in a queue to speak to anyone.