Can I claim anything?

kit

Hi all

I suffer from depression, stress, anxiety & panic attacks and am currently haveing counselling.

I previously had a well paid job for 6 years which I left due to the above. I had some time off, had a child and then went back to work. Got ill again and was signed off for 5 weeks..... I felt too 'underpressure' to return to work so handed in my notice.

We cant afford for me to be unemployed however just the thought of returning to work turns me in to a gibbering wreak!! Dont get me wrong, I want to work, I love working but my 'head' is not in the right place at the moment.

My counsellor has advised me to go back to the doctor and ask to be signed off for 6 months as he does not think I will be able to work for at least that period of time. I want to get better so would be happy to take this advise if there is some benefit I can claim to help us out.

I cant get IS due to my partner earning too much. On paper it may look like he earns enough but take out all the bills etc we have very little left for food!

Could I claim incap benefit?

Morglin

These are the rules for claiming IB:

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/FinancialSupport/DG_10016082

http://www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk/JCP/Customers/WorkingAgeBenefits/dev_008025.xml.html


It won't matter how much your partner earns, but you need to have paid the right amount of contributions, and the DWP will need to accept that you are unable to do any work (even a different type of job from the one you previously had).

If you need face to face advice, the CAB are very good.

Lin

JodiMBrown

I got IB for similar circumstances. I found the job centre really helpful in supporting me, and the application process very simple. The job centre have helped me get back on my feet again, and as a result, I will be starting a new job in a couple of weeks and I can't wait!

Go to your local job centre and they will give you the phone number (which you can call from the job centre) and initiate the claim.

Good luck.

Rain_is_Insane

I too got IB for a similar complaint, i also realised that for the last god knows how many years we were entitled to tax credits too. It's worth doing the calculation to see if you are entitled to anything. Even if it's only £10 a week, pays the electricity bill

buff-tom

As long as you have a sick note you can claim IB - unless you are getting SSP if your not working of course you wont. You may also depending on your circumstances qualify for DLA Disability Living Allowance - on that I would reccomend talking too and get help from a local Disability Rights group, the reason I wouldd recommend that is I fill in claim forms every day for benefits and recently helped a close relative to fill a DLA for in which was regected, we went to our local disabilty rights they help fill in the form and she got DLA Highest rate care and low rate mobility which then opened even more benefits.

Hope this helps

** Forgot to mention if you have not paid enough NI contributions it is still worth continuing with claim as it will credit NI whilst claiming also open up help when ready to go back to work **