Need some advice on benefits

J4ckBl4ck

Ok,I'll make this as brief as possible. I have been on incapacity benefit for a long time,at least 10 years,owing to a condition called Ehlers Danlos Syndrome type 4. I am currently going through the ATOS appeals process,no surprise there. I've never claimed dla or carers allowance. My wife was diagnosed with COPD a few years ago and it has advanced to the stage where she can barely walk a few steps without becoming completely breathless. I am basically her carer as she isn't able to do much of anything . I wasn't aware until last week, when the harris team from the local hospital came and said I should be claiming esa and dla/pips for her. I just don't know how to go about it, I've looked on the gov benefit adviser site and it's just left me even more confused. Do I make a new claim on her behalf, do I say it's a change in circumstances in my own claim? Can anybody just put it in simple plain terms for me?

nannytone_2

were you claiming for your wife on your incapacity benefit claim?

Torry_Quine

Presuming that your wife will not be eligible for contribution based ESA means that it would need to be an income based top-up to your ESA should you win your appeal. Alternatively a new income based claim could be made in her name with you as the additional person.

If she has care and or mobility needs then a claim for PIP could be made.

J4ckBl4ck

nannytone wrote: »

were you claiming for your wife on your incapacity benefit claim?

Yes but only as my partner not as someone with an illness.

Torry_Quine

J4ckBl4ck wrote: »

Yes but only as my partner not as someone with an illness.

Then she should continue on your ESA claim if you are sucessful.

Mojisola

It would be best to ask for a benefit review from an advice centre like CAB or AgeUK (depending on your age). They will work out what you should be claiming and will help with the forms.

J4ckBl4ck

Thanks for the advice.I'll make an appointment with CAB and get it sorted