benefit help

woodisgood

Hi, I have a permanent iliostomy and currently underwent surgery for a parastomal hernia repair. Although the op went well my wound from where they cut me hasn't healed since and I now have Pyoderma.
I am self employed and have now been off for 9 weeks. I receive esa (£71.70 a week) My wife is a student and we have a baby. Are we entitled to any other benefit.
Help will be much appreciated thanks.

pmlindyloo

woodisgood wrote: »

Hi, I have a permanent iliostomy and currently underwent surgery for a parastomal hernia repair. Although the op went well my wound from where they cut me hasn't healed since and I now have Pyoderma.
I am self employed and have now been off for 9 weeks. I receive esa (£71.70 a week) My wife is a student and we have a baby. Are we entitled to any other benefit.
Help will be much appreciated thanks.[/QUOTE

What benefits are you receiving at the moment?

Child Tax Credits?
Child Benefit?
Housing Benefit?
Council Tax Support?

Do you have any care needs/mobility needs?

Difficult to answer in detail as much depends on what kind of student your wife is - full time/part time? Is she receiving any loans/grants?

woodisgood

My wife has just started a full time nursing course. She does recive a student loan and bursary. I don't no the exact amounts but its basically min wage if that.
We currently receive child tax credits, 25% off council tax bill and child benefit off £80 month.
My wife helps me with my wound and dresses it daily.
Thanks

pmlindyloo

You could apply for Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support (forms available from local council)

They will take some of the loans/grant/bursary into account as income but you may still be entitled to some help.

Has your wife checked that she is receiving all the financial help that she is entitled to? She should ask at her place of learning - they should have a welfare department.

whodathunkit

Do you rent your home?

woodisgood

no its morgaged

pmlindyloo

woodisgood wrote: »

no its morgaged

OK so HB isn't appropriate.

Have you got any PPI on your mortgage that covers you for illness? or any Income Protection policy (sorry, but people often forget that they have this!)

If not then you may have to speak to your lender and explain the circumstances and see if they will give you a payment holiday, extend the term of your loan or go interest only for a while.

The other option is to see if you may be eligible for income based ESA which would mean that you would receive Support for Mortgage Interest after 13 weeks on ESA. I am presuming you are on contribution based ESA at the moment (based on your NI contributions)

Have you been assessed for income based ESA? Some of your wife's 'income' would be taken into account but there are certain disregards. Worth a call to Job Centre Plus. Suspect that your wife's income would make you ineligible though.

Otherwise it's 'tighten your belt time' until you get back to work. Have a good read of the articles on here about money saving and have a look at the debtfree wannabe forum (not just for those in debt) to find ways of saving money.

Good luck.

woodisgood

Thanks for your time and help pmlindyloo, i'll have a good look into what you advise.

sacha28

woodisgood, as a student nurse you are exempt from paying council tax. Why do you only have a 25% discount??

pmlindyloo

sacha28 wrote: »

woodisgood, as a student nurse you are exempt from paying council tax. Why do you only have a 25% discount??

It's his wife that is exempt not the OP so he get's a single person's discount at the moment.

sacha28

pmlindyloo wrote: »

It's his wife that is exempt not the OP so he get's a single person's discount at the moment.

Oh really? I thought the household was exempt from council tax payments? I stand corrected, sorry!!