Incapacity and income support benefits

danielbb

Firstly hi, im 22.


I had to claim incapacity benefit due to illness (mental), the jobcentre advised me i could not as i have not made enough contibutions. So i had to make a joint claim for income support / incapacity.

For the initial 6 months I saw my doctor obtained medical certificates, I then recieved and sent back the IB50 form, i was then accessed and was declared unfit for work, and would next be assessed in 12 months.

3 months later i still recieve £93 fortnightly. I received a letter months back stating this would increase and i have chatted to others in a simlar position as me who recieve substancially more.

£30 of the £93 has to go on rent, and as part of my rehabilitation i am advised to take part in activities to mix with people. Just a little extra would really help.

Does anyone know, if im eligibible for more. I haven't contacted my local jobcentre yet, because i feel ashamed about claiming already let alone asking for more

Any advice appreciated.

Gareth56

You may be entitled to Housing Benefit and possible other help. Personally I would either ring your local Citizen Advice Bureau or you local welfare rights office at your local council so that they can run a benefits check to see what the benefits are that you are entitled to. You should not feel ashamed at claiming what is rightfully yours.

G56

Scarlett1

www.entitledto.co.uk

suelees1

It sounds like you're receiving Income Support (as incapable of work) and not Incapacity Benefit. IS only increases after a year. The other people you talk about might well be in receipt of IB as this is paid at a higher rate

If you are on IS then you should receive 100% Housing and Council Tax Benefit if this is the case. However if you're with a private landlord it might not cover all your rent (although your rent seems very little if you are only paying £30 fortnight??).

If the HB doesn't cover your rent you need to apply for a Discretionary Housing Payment as these must be considered if you are suffering financial hardship. Claim all this - HB/CTB and DHP through the LA. You must do it immediately and mustn't feel ashamed. You are entitled to it. You should also ask for the claim to be backdated but this will depend on whether the LA think you have good cause for the late claim but it is often successful if you've not been able to manage your own affairs satisfactorily (with your mental health problems). Depending on how you are, you might also be entitled to DLA.

danielbb

If you are on IS then you should receive 100% Housing and Council Tax Benefit if this is the case. However if you're with a private landlord it might not cover all your rent (although your rent seems very little if you are only paying £30 fortnight??).

Yes, private, £52.50 is max they will pay. £68 is the total cost, its a crappy bedsit accomedation, where the ultility costs are included.

I do receive the funds from income support, but i had to also apply for incapacity benifit, i had to fill in both sets of forms, it was a nightmare at first. At first they sent just incapacity forms which i was turned down for (lack of contributions), they then pointed out that i needed both.

It sounds like you're receiving Income Support (as incapable of work) and not Incapacity Benefit. IS only increases after a year. The other people you talk about might well be in receipt of IB as this is paid at a higher rate

Possibly but, the person in question hadnt made enough contribution either, she is even younger than me.

danielbb

As my local jobcentre is clueless about anything since the all phones service. I thing citizens advice place would be my best bet for information.

danielbb

Hey, i found the letter i was on about

From 8th August 2007 Income support will increase to £72.10 a week from £46.85. Thats going to help so much.:o

Well done suelees1, you were correct. That must be 12 months from when i very first visited the doctors for the medical certificate.

Thank you all.

suelees1

Hi Daniel

Glad to hear your IS will soon include the disability premium. Unfortunately if your circumstances remain the same IS will only increase again when you become 25 (apart from the annual uprating).

The other person you mention is probably on Incapacity Benefit in Youth. Those who become incapable of work under 20 yo (25 in some circs if they have been in certain types of training or education) can get IB without sufficient NI contributions.

Without checking the regs I'm not too sure if you might get it if you have medical evidence that you have been incapable of work since under 20. Most things can't be back dated that far but if i remember rightly proof of incapacity can be accepted. It will take someone to check all this for you and I don't want to give you false hope but it's worth checking out.

Your HB will only include the rent element. The LA will not give HB for ineligible charges such as heating and lighting. If you're struggling financially you must apply for a Discretionary Housing Payment as I suggested. It's an additional amount on top of your HB. I think LA's get a government subsidy for awarding this. There is no right of appeal if they refuse but they will do an internal review so it's worth a try. Your only option if they refuse is see a solicitor to see if they consider it worthwhile to pursue an application for judicial review.

Yes, you should definitely see a welfare advisor as they'll be in a better positin to advise and assist

Fran

danielbb wrote: »

........ and as part of my rehabilitation i am advised to take part in activities to mix with people. Just a little extra would really help.

Does anyone know, if im eligibible for more. I haven't contacted my local jobcentre yet, because i feel ashamed about claiming already let alone asking for more

You could ask whoever has advised that you take part in activities whether there is any cash available to help you do that.....and don't be ashamed about claiming, many people have to at some time or other and it's better than being on the streets with no money.

Cute_'n'_Quirky

It sounds as if you should be claiming for DLA too. .

Cute_'n'_Quirky

suelees1 wrote: »

Hi Daniel

Glad to hear your IS will soon include the disability premium. Unfortunately if your circumstances remain the same IS will only increase again when you become 25 (apart from the annual uprating).

That is not including Disability Premium, which comes with DLA.

The increase is due to it being one year of being off sick and therefore going on to the long term rate.

Disability Premium is £25.25 per week which would be included on being awarded DLA.