Higher rate DLA awarded - entitled to disability element wtc?

zaksmum

My friend has just been notified of an award of Higher Rate Mobility DLA for an indefinite period.

She's been assessed as being virtually unable to walk due to severe COPD.

She works full time, however.

Might she now be entitled to the disability element of Working Tax Credits? She lives alone, is in her 50s and has no savings at all.

skateykatey

In a nutshell; yes. It's not clear if she already has a claim in for WTC, if so she needs to ring the helpline asap to inform them of her entitlement to the disability premium.

She won't be entitled to the severe disability premium though.

There is a one month limit on backdating, hence the need to ring asap.

dori2o

skateykatey wrote: »

In a nutshell; yes. It's not clear if she already has a claim in for WTC, if so she needs to ring the helpline asap to inform them of her entitlement to the disability premium.

She won't be entitled to the severe disability premium though.

There is a one month limit on backdating, hence the need to ring asap.

Not with the disability element. it will be backdated to the date the DLA claim is applicable from as long as they are notified of the DLA claim within 1 month.of the award being awarded

zaksmum

Thanks dori2o and skateykatey. She is currently in dispute with HMRC about an overpayment they made to her for standard tax credits, prior to the DLA award.

What would be her next move?

tiddlertot

zaksmum wrote: »

Thanks dori2o and skateykatey. She is currently in dispute with HMRC about an overpayment they made to her for standard tax credits, prior to the DLA award.

What would be her next move?

Repay it???

tiddlertot

zaksmum wrote: »

She's been assessed as being virtually unable to walk due to severe COPD.

She works full time, however.

.

Unless the poster's friend has a job that she has to sit down for most of the time how is she managing to work full time? How does she get to work?

Given that scenario and the new rules for PIP, I would seriously doubt that she would re-qualify when she is reassessed starting next year.

Heycock

Zaksmum...don't forget that once your friend gets the disability element of WTC, they'll also be entitled to free prescriptions, dentistry and eye tests (with a voucher for lens/specs costs).
Tiddlertot...stop trying to stir it. Maybe her friend is a homeworker, perhaps they do have a sit down job. It's none of our business.

benefitbaby

I just thought I should mention that working tax credit disability element is a 2 pronged test and whilst the award of DLA will enable the OPs friend to meet the 'qualifying benefit' test they will still have to meet the 'disadvantage' test see here: http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/taxcredits/tc956.pdf

zaksmum

tiddlertot wrote: »

Repay it???

She is disputing the overpayment. She will have no choice but to repay it if she is ordered to.

zaksmum

Tiddlertot - her son takes her to work. She may well not qualify when she's reassessed for PIP but she DOES qualify now.

DWP are fully aware that she works full time and have still made the award.

Benefitbaby, she would meet the disadvantage test as she cannot walk 100 metres without stopping to get her breath.

SandraScarlett

And stop stirring it on the Benefits board as well TT!

xx