Complex underlying entitlement query

bll78

rogerblack wrote: »

Caring for someone on DLA or PIP at the right levels also entitles one to IS.

Fantastic, I'll tell them to talk to CAB, if no one comes along that has any experience.

bll78

tomtontom wrote: »

That is true but they would not be entitled to the Carer's Premium, which requires a claim for CA or no entitlement to CA due to an overlapping benefit. This may be an issue for the OP given the marginal figures involved.

You're right I've had a look because they don't get the ESA they are entitled to because of his pension there's no way to get the underlying entitlement without actually claiming.
They've shot themselves in the foot really, he took his pension early because they were worried how they'd survive when he got ill, it means they've got a reduced amount of pension but effectively made themselves worse off than if they'd not have bothered. I can only see it getting worse with Universal Credit and they will have at least a year or so of that until they become pensioners.

nannytone_2

specialboy wrote: »

Ive got a couple of friends in similar situation, both single lads in rented houses, one works full time and earns a low wage but too much to get any help with his rent whilst the other works part time and is also on a low wage, gets help with his rent and also a little wtc. Both end up with the same disposable income but the one on wtc also gets free dentist and prescriptions.

as a 'single lad' ( assuming not a single parent) he would need to work at least 30 hours a wee4k to claim wtc

pmlindyloo

Back to OP.

I've been looking at this site:

http://www.nhs.uk/CarersDirect/moneyandlegal/otherbenefits/Pages/how-much-income-support.aspx

and if they applied for Income Support I have worked it out as their getting:

Applicable amount would be?

couple claim = £112.55
Disability premium= £44.20
Carer's Premium = £33.30
Housing costs= ?

Total = ? (Plus Carer's Allowance)

They would them deduct the pension, the Carer's Allowance, and the income from the investment.

Not having all the figures I don't know whether they would get any income support but wondered if you/they had taken the premiums and housing costs into account?

Am not an expert so still suggest that a visit to CAB seems appropriate.

Also, will not mind if others comment and say this is incorrect!

cbrown372

bll78 wrote: »

Hi,

I asked a question on here the other day for a friend re IS and making a claim when they were only eligible for an amount once SMI kicks in, however this has not panned out.
They've now asked me another stumper. Basic details are worked all their life (so NI issues), he has got ill in last year, he's 61 she's 59. Currently live off
Occupational Pension
Other investment (12k in sons home assessed as £20 a week income)
DLA HRM MRC
Carers allowance

They are struggling a bit, and as above were considering an IS claim as this would help with the mortgage SMI but they realised they missed off their money in the sons house so actually they can't get it. However after making a mistake on the entitlement calculator (I told them to have a look) they've realised that the carers allowance is actually making them worse off.
The reason being the return on investement +carers allowance + occupational pension are classed as taxable income and so the IS claim is reduced. Without the carers allowance the IS seems to be made up to the same amount pound for pound. However by getting the IS instead of Carers Allowance they suddenly become eligible for the associated benefits i.e she will get free prescriptions. However this only works if they can keep their underlying carers entitlement. Is it possible to stop carers allowance before putting in for IS?
Before anyone starts slating them, they've worked hard all their life and would be on far more benefits if they hadn't have saved and invested in a pension. They won't get a penny more this way but will be entitled to free prescriptions. It seems odd to me that the money won't change a jot but getting one benefit instead of receiving another will suddenly mean they're eligible. I suppose it's similar to those families that get £15,000 in benefits and get a free boiler, and those that earn £15,000 but can't. It's a strange old system

It's really kind of you to want to help all your friends with their benefit claims but perhaps it would be better if you encouraged them to sign up here themselves then those with the answers can get the correct information from the claimants rather than third hand from you?

I don't see anyone slating anyone for claiming benefits that they are entitled to.

bll78

Hi thanks for your comments.

Yes they have included all the premiums it was done via the entitled to calculator and it did it automatically, but thank you for the tip.
As for them posting themselves, they both worked in hands on jobs and have never used computers. They do have some basic knowledge and an old, old desktop computer they use for photo's, letters etc but currently do not have internet and even if they did I think I'd have to sit over them to get them able to post on the forum. She is off on some silversurfer basic internet course in a few weeks, so it may change in the future.
I think to be honest the questions been answered the pension effects them so that even though they're not a penny better off than they would be on benefits they miss out on the specific benefit related benefits.
Thank you for all your help

Icequeen99

bll78 wrote: »

Thanks they have years to go. She is one of those unfortunate ones that a few years ago was due to retire at 60, then they made it 65, now it's 66

But pension credit will go off his age, and it isn't 65 for pension credit. If he is coming up 62, he will be able to claim pension credit in the next couple of months for them as a couple.

You need to run the calculator and enter his date of birth. This will be far more generous that IS.

IQ

bll78

Checking it now thank you

Additional info- Checked it he's only just 61, he doesn't get pension tax credit until just before his 63rd birthday so 2016, which is a lot earlier than we thought. Thanks for the help

pmlindyloo

Although the calculators are quite good I would still put in a claim for Income Support.

There are all kinds of strange 'rules' that the general public do not know about.

The worst that can happen is that they are refused.

bll78

Thank you I will tell them this