Disabilty premium and JSA?

murtle1981

I've recently claimed JSA as I no longer get carers allowance (my partners DLA care has dropped from middle rate to lower rate) so I no longer entitled to IS as a carer. I've had my new JSA claim interview today and sign on 15th April. Before I claimed JSA I went on the benefits checkers on turn2us and Entitled To. Both sites said that we should get around £112 JSA a week and as my partner gets DLA even though its lower rate care, he should still get the disabilty premium of £45 ish per week??? The total benefits it gave me each week was about £158. Is this right? Cos the job centre advisor didn't know..

pmlindyloo

Yes, if you make a claim for JSA then any rate of DLA entitles you to the disability premium.

See here:

http://www.disabilityrightsuk.org/jobseekers-allowance-jsa

murtle1981

Just to add that yes, my partner could claim ESA rather than me claiming JSA but to be honest ESA is a farce. When my partner got diagnosed he claimed ESA and passed his first 2 atos medicals, went for medical number 3 and got 0 points! He wasn't any better as he's got a chronic condition so why they failed him I will never know. It was a case of either appeal the decision or me claim income support as a carer which was a no brainer really.
I really don't see any point in him going through all these medicals again just for them to throw him off after 12 months then it's back to square one having to claim something else.

murtle1981

Thanks pmlindyloo, I thought I'd seen it right. Obviously the DWP know he gets lower rate care so disability premium should get added on automatically like it usually does? I know I haven't got to apply for it but sometimes they don't know what's what

pmlindyloo

murtle1981 wrote: »

Thanks pmlindyloo, I thought I'd seen it right. Obviously the DWP know he gets lower rate care so disability premium should get added on automatically like it usually does? I know I haven't got to apply for it but sometimes they don't know what's what

Never assume anything as far as benefit offices are concerned. Everyone thinks they 'talk' to each other but they rarely do.

Just go in with the paperwork showing the DLA claim (most recent award notice)

Also note the date, time and name of person you give the information to, plus get a receipt showing that they have photocopied the DLA award letter.

I am not being over cautious just that so many people say 'I gave this information/this paperwork and yet they are saying I didn't'.

murtle1981

Thanks again and I will be going to take them proof of his DLA award. I know they don't talk to one another in the benefits offices, if they did things would be a lot more straightforward. Also I sign on 15th April (long time to wait with not a lot of money coming in and 3 kids) so will I get my first JSA payment that week? I believe it takes 3 days to hit your account now so hopefully ill get paid on the 18th???