IB + ?? - possible?

sonny1

Hello forum members,

I'm 21 and on incapacity benefit and have been since I turned 16. I have schizophrenia and bipolar.
Anybody on IB knows how much of a struggle it is, but recently things have taken a turned for the worse and I need to know if I am entitled to anything else besides IB.

when I was 19 I managed to find a paid part time job - however I omitted telling my employers about my condition and when I had several episodes at work I was sacked. Rather than come clean I knew it would be easier to leave. I enjoyed having the extra money though and could buy things other than necessity for the first time (namely a laptop).

Last year I became homeless and stayed in some shelters, but my conditions has an isolating effect and I'm wary of how people see me. Typing this now using the free wifi in a coffee house I am looking over my shoulder because I don't want people to see what I am typing.

All the money I get in the world is £220 fortnightly. I moved into a tiny bedsit flat which is £85 p/w and that leaves me with £25 p/w spare for electric, council tax and most importantly food.

Most weeks I am lucky to have £10 to spend on food and during winter when the electric was more expensive I used to eat only every 36 hours to save money.

I thought about trying to find another job but have applied for over 100 without being asked for an interview. Although I know it will only be so long before they discover about my condition and/or my condition affects my job role. so i thought I would ask here to see if there is anything else someone like me is entitled to. i have no idea about these type of things and have no friends that can help me.

Thanks.

Lyz_Fox

I am no expert so wont pass opinion. I just wanted to wish you all the best luck and hope that you et some support soon
x

nannytone_2

you should be claiming local housing allowance ( housing benefit for private renters) and council tax support.

do you need help caring for yourself? can you cook, wash,sort out medication etc?

Dunroamin

I'm not sure how you could have been on IB at 16 as it's a benefit that's based on your National Insurance contributions.

synapse321

IB can be claimed at 16. Look into PIP.

nannytone_2

young people who were unable to EVER work were placed onto IB

rogerblack

nannytone wrote: »

young people who were unable to EVER work were placed onto IB

And more recently - onto ESA(C) - because of the ESA-youth provisions.

These have now been shelved.
Any new young people coming onto benefit utterly unable to work will face a lifetime as a financial drain in any serious relationship they are in.
It was not a particularly costly provision - but the commons debate around the provision was limited to the discussion of people in this position with massive amounts of assets.
Which was unfortunate, as this is the really uncommon case.

sonny1

Dunroamin wrote: »

I'm not sure how you could have been on IB at 16 as it's a benefit that's based on your National Insurance contributions.

I was diagnosed as schizophrenic at 14 so seemingly went onto it automatically.

sonny1

nannytone wrote: »

you should be claiming local housing allowance ( housing benefit for private renters) and council tax support.

do you need help caring for yourself? can you cook, wash,sort out medication etc?

I don't require any assistance with regards to hygiene, cooking and remembering to take my meds etc.

I will look into the housing allowance and council tax support. Anything would be a great success.

sonny1

Lyz_Fox wrote: »

I am no expert so wont pass opinion. I just wanted to wish you all the best luck and hope that you et some support soon
x

Thank you.

mikey_bach

2.2 Age allowance

There are two age allowances paid with the long-term rate after 52 weeks.
Under 35 when incapacity began £11.70
may be worth asking why you arent receiving this as well, could help a bit.