Any help for low pay P/T workers?

Thomas_Hardy

Lifeforms wrote: »

No, it's incapacity benefit, but entitlement only. So I get no money, but they pay my stamp? Was on income support but due to circumstances I had to come off because of savings, but not able to work in the mean time. So they switched it to IB entitlement.

I understand, but if you have too much capital to claim IS (which you would normally be entitled to if you didn't qualify for IB), you shouldn't be entitled to any LHA/ CTB either. Do you have over £16,000? You don't need to answer if you don't wish to, but you need to be sure that you are not receiving benefits you shouldn't be entitled to, to avoid an overpayment later.

If you could work sixteen hours, you would be entitled to Working Tax Credits. This does not take into account savings, only the interest over £300.

Your entitlement to LHA may be reduced by your income (it would not if you did not have capital), but it is not possible to give a more definitive answer without more information on your capital situation.

Lifeforms

No, under the threshold now, completely. So I would be looking to start a new ESA claim, if the job doesn't come through, or I can't live off the income bits alone.

Thomas_Hardy

Lifeforms wrote: »

No, under the threshold now, completely. So I would be looking to start a new ESA claim, if the job doesn't come through, or I can't live off the income bits alone.

If you have continued with your credits only IB claim you should be automatically transferred over to ESA, there is no need to start a new claim. Now your capital levels are lower you need to ask for your means tested entitlement to be reviewed. It is important not to close your IB claim as this will give you a higher ESA entitlement.

soontobemrsg

hmm, I always thought DLA was a passport benefit which was disregard in other calculations. Sorry if I've misled you OP.

I would however check re the WTC as I thought that was a minimum of 20 hours if no dependants.

Lifeforms

The problem I am having, or just started to have, was when i needed to sign off because of savings, I was mid IS->ESA migration, filled in forms, had assessment, and then nothing. Upon chasing the ESA claim was stopped (or lost, couldn't get a definitive answer) and I was told that I'd been moved from Income Support onto Incapacity Benefit to still allow the national insurance thing being paid.

Upon asking how do I now get benefits to live on, I've been told that I need to make a fresh claim, with supporting Doctors notes, from scratch and was about to instigate that, when this offer came about. Now It'd suit me to a tee, be lower hours as I really struggle with life part time, never mind full so it's not something that I'd be able to get arranged with location, flexibility, and a prior consideration of my needs, through the job centre so I am seriously considering it, as long as I can live. not an extravagant life, but the bills paid, food on the table, roof over my head.

Thomas_Hardy

soontobemrsg wrote: »

hmm, I always thought DLA was a passport benefit which was disregard in other calculations. Sorry if I've misled you OP.

I would however check re the WTC as I thought that was a minimum of 20 hours if no dependants.

It is disregarded for benefit purposes. A passport benefit means you automatically qualify for other benefits - HB, CTB, free prescriptions etc. DLA is not means tested so does not fall into this category.

For WTC, the minimum number of hours for an individual that qualifies for the disability premium is sixteen. If they did not qualify for the DP it would be thirty.

Thomas_Hardy

Lifeforms wrote: »

The problem I am having, or just started to have, was when i needed to sign off because of savings, I was mid IS->ESA migration, filled in forms, had assessment, and then nothing. Upon chasing the ESA claim was stopped (or lost, couldn't get a definitive answer) and I was told that I'd been moved from Income Support onto Incapacity Benefit to still allow the national insurance thing being paid.

Upon asking how do I now get benefits to live on, I've been told that I need to make a fresh claim, with supporting Doctors notes, from scratch and was about to instigate that, when this offer came about. Now It'd suit me to a tee, be lower hours as I really struggle with life part time, never mind full so it's not something that I'd be able to get arranged with location, flexibility, and a prior consideration of my needs, through the job centre so I am seriously considering it, as long as I can live. not an extravagant life, but the bills paid, food on the table, roof over my head.

You need to get an explanation of what has happened to your claim. If you've passed the WCA (the assessment/ transfer process for ESA) you shouldn't still be receiving IB, even as a credits only claim. If you can't get an answer, I would suggest contacting CAB or Welfare Rights (at your council), to ask them to intervene on your behalf.

soontobemrsg

Thomas_Hardy wrote: »

It is disregarded for benefit purposes. A passport benefit means you automatically qualify for other benefits - HB, CTB, free prescriptions etc. DLA is not means tested so does not fall into this category.

For WTC, the minimum number of hours for an individual that qualifies for the disability premium is sixteen. If they did not qualify for the DP it would be thirty.

Thanks for the explanation...makes it much clearer to me

Lifeforms

Thank you Thomas Hardy! I'll relook into this, once I know about the job for definite.

So if I hit 16 hours a week, I can claim working tax credits, but does that have an effect on LHA (private rent) and CTB?

Thomas_Hardy

Lifeforms wrote: »

Thank you Thomas Hardy! I'll relook into this, once I know about the job for definite.

So if I hit 16 hours a week, I can claim working tax credits, but does that have an effect on LHA (private rent) and CTB?

Yes, WTC will affect your LHA claim, it will be classed as income.

When you have established the status of your ESA claim you need to look at the rules relating to Permitted Work - it may be that you can keep more of your earnings than first thought.

Best of luck with the job, and come back to us if you need any more information.