Disability/Benefits and Marriage

CrystalWater

Hi I have no eligibility for any benefits apart from low rate DLA. This is because I have just got married. I have schizophrenia, and I've just applied for ESA but I got declined because I don't have enough NI contributions. My wife works full time hours (35). I've tried the online benefit calculator and I'm not entitled to anything. I have debts and now I can't afford to pay for my meds. My wife doesn't earn a great deal, we have to use Wonga to make ends meet. I was on working tax credit, but now I can't claim it. I have no idea what to do, can anybody help? I'm looking for work and have been training for self employment in another field besides my other occupation as a writer. At the moment I'm writing a book with some well known names, but I won't make any money unless it gets published.

I have had to reapply for my DLA, and as of yet I have no DLA money either. The government changed the rules on being in a relationship. Even with my disability I have no rights. I can't believe this situation. I'm a university graduate. And I'm ready to work. But I can't afford a pot to !!!! in.

sleepless_saver

CrystalWater wrote: »

Hi I have no eligibility for any benefits apart from low rate DLA. This is because I have just got married. I have schizophrenia, and I've just applied for ESA but I got declined because I don't have enough NI contributions. My wife works full time hours (35). I've tried the online benefit calculator and I'm not entitled to anything. I have debts and now I can't afford to pay for my meds. My wife doesn't earn a great deal, we have to use Wonga to make ends meet. I was on working tax credit, but now I can't claim it. I have no idea what to do, can anybody help? I'm looking for work and have been training for self employment in another field besides my other occupation as a writer. At the moment I'm writing a book with some well known names, but I won't make any money unless it gets published.

I have had to reapply for my DLA, and as of yet I have no DLA money either. The government changed the rules on being in a relationship. Even with my disability I have no rights. I can't believe this situation. I'm a university graduate. And I'm ready to work. But I can't afford a pot to !!!! in.

Your wife's working so she needs to be the one who applies for working tax credits. You are a couple now, so your entitlement to any income related benefits is assessed jointly. This is no different for people with health problems than for anyone else.

You can post on the debt free wannabe board for advice on the debts, there is help available.

pmlindyloo

sleepless_saver wrote: »

Your wife's working so she needs to be the one who applies for working tax credits. You are a couple now, so your entitlement to any income related benefits is assessed jointly. This is no different for people with health problems than for anyone else.

You can post on the debt free wannabe board for advice on the debts, there is help available.

Just to add. Your wife needs to be 25 + to be eligible for tax credits.

try putting your details into the benefit calculator here: https://www.entitledto.co.uk to see if you are eligible for any benefits.

BigAunty

I assume you weren't cohabitating before marriage? It's not the act of marriage itself which means her income gets taken into account, it's living together like man and wife.

To understand how to best deal with your debts, go to the debt free wanabee board on MSE. There is also a published booklet on this site relating to debt and mental health issues which has excellent information.

CrystalWater

My wife earns £21000 a year as a teacher. Therefore she can't claim any tax credits. I just typed in the details following the link above.

CrystalWater

No we weren't cohabitating before Big Aunty. Now we've moved in together.

pmlindyloo

OK, now you have found out that you are not entitled to any benefits then you have to look at ways to manage the situation.

I am presuming that all your debt is in your name? Go onto this website http://www.stepchange.org/ and get some free help. They are excellent.

Once your debts are sorted then you will have to start managing your income and expenditure.

Great information about reducing expenditure on the Debtfree Wannabe forum and other forums/articles on this website. Have a good read through all them and start reducing your expenditure.

Next your income.

You are going to have to think outside the box. What is the extent of your illness? Can you get a job as an employee? Would this be manageable?

If not, what can you do from home that will earn some money?

In these situations it is no good moaning about things (don't mean to appear harsh) - you just have to get on with things. What can you do? Even some part time work would be good. What are your skills?

Unfortunately lots of us don't have the luxury of always being able to do what we want to do work wise so just have to think about the money!

Once you get your debts 'sorted' you may feel more proactive as you will be free of the cycle of debt/more debt.

Get your paperwork sorted and give Stepchange a ring.

Good luck!

CrystalWater

I'm afraid 92% of people with schizophrenia cannot work! let alone work in places far away from home, or in places where paranoia and suspicion become unbearable like office work. I've trained to write, and do web design, and I can't retrain very easily like people with Autism. Change can be stressful and very hard. Symptoms like delusions also make working 9-5 very hard as they can trigger psychosis. The government does not have any clue what disability means anymore. They will be out in May but until then more people have to take their lives.

pmlindyloo

CrystalWater wrote: »

I'm afraid 92% of people with schizophrenia cannot work! let alone work in places far away from home, or in places where paranoia and suspicion become unbearable like office work. I've trained to write, and do web design, and I can't retrain very easily like people with Autism. Change can be stressful and very hard. Symptoms like delusions also make working 9-5 very hard as they can trigger psychosis. The government does not have any clue what disability means anymore. They will be out in May but until then more people have to take their lives.

Have you rung Stepchange yet?

I do not know what it is like to have schizophrenia. I also don't want to get into a political argument because that is not going to help you.

If you were single then there would be help available to you. The fact that you are married means that 'for better or worse' you support each other including financially. Whatever political party is in power will not change that situation.

DLA is not means tested and if you have evidence and support from your health professionals then you could apply for a higher rate of DLA. Are you getting some support for your reassessment?

Web design sounds like a good skill to have. Not my area of expertise but if you post on the Employment board then there may be some suggestions forthcoming.

Believe me, I am not trying to minimise your difficulties but only trying to be realistic about possible outcomes.

You are a university graduate and you have managed a relationship and got married - all achievements to be proud of.

CrystalWater

Thanks Pmlindyloo and others for your help. I do appreciate your replies. But unfortunately it is very political my situation. I live in an area where mental health treatment is one of the worst. I will contact Step Change. Things will change in May I hope.

specialboy

Not a very good troll, straight into the blame game and the torys