ESA and DLA Confused

jillyflower

Hi, I've been off work sick since March, infact I've only worked for a month since last October. I work for the NHS and have now been told that my contract will be terminated at the end of this month. This is partly due to the fact that my consultant has said that he doesn't have a diagnosis for me and that I'm not likely to improve in the near future.

My question is. I'm trying to find out how I will be able to afford to live. I've used one of the benefit calculators and the amount is says I will be entitled to each year is less than my household bills. (I'm a single parent with a 15 year old son). The amount included housing benefit. council tax reduction, ESA and child benefit. I currently run a car and the yearly amout quoted was in a minus before I even got to car expences. food and mobile phone bill and whilst I could manage without a car although I do have some mobility issues and I could live without a mobile phone we really need to eat.
A friend has said that I might be entitled to DLA as I have mobility issues.
This is such a mine field I don't know where to go. I've tried CAB, which was one of the worst experiences of my life. A very superior woman of a certain age treated me like I was some kind of pond life and didn't give me any information worth haveing.

Any help or thoughts would be much appreciated. If these figures are correct I really don't know what we will do.
Thanks for reading if you've got this far.

fed_up_and_stressed

Definately apply for PIP (new applicants can't claim DLA) its not means tested and if you are on Income not contribution based ESA, then it can help increase other benefits in some circumstances due to disability premiums.

Horseunderwater

To get PIP/ESA you do not need a diagnosis to begin the claim. With PIP you ring u & complete form over phone. It is purely about how far you can mobilise without pain/breathlessness/pausing & can you do it over & over safely without causing yourself harm etc The care is for needing help with things like dressing/washing/preparing a hot meal safely without harm. http://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/personal-independence-payment-pip/pip-points-system
ESA is a points driven system where you need to match 1 or more descriptors 1 of which is mobilising, but there are many others. http://www.sense.org.uk/content/esa-descriptors-determine-whether-you-have-limited-capability-work

pmlindyloo

You should be receiving HB, CT reduction, CB, child tax credits and ESA. Can you 15 yr old get a paper round/similar to get some extra money for his expenses?

You can apply for PIP if you meet the criteria.

Is there any work you can do? - from home for example (sorry, don't know the nature of your disability)

If you have debts then you can contact Step Change (a free debt charity) who are excellent.

Otherwise you are going to have to tighten your belt. (sorry)

Post your Statement of Affairs on here and we may be able to suggest ideas (there's a link on the Debt free Wannabe board)

jillyflower

pmlindyloo wrote: »

You should be receiving HB, CT reduction, CB, child tax credits and ESA. Can you 15 yr old get a paper round/similar to get some extra money for his expenses?

You can apply for PIP if you meet the criteria.

Is there any work you can do? - from home for example (sorry, don't know the nature of your disability)

If you have debts then you can contact Step Change (a free debt charity) who are excellent.
Otherwise you are going to have to tighten your belt. (sorry)

Post your Statement of Affairs on here and we may be able to suggest ideas (there's a link on the Debt free Wannabe board)

Thanks for that. However, you suggest I tighten my belt. The bills that I have to pay are not changable ie rent, water rates, gas and electricity so not really any way to reduce them. When I've paid these's I am into a minus figure!
Paper rounds are like hens teeth, very difficult to find and no one will employ children under the age of 16, I've looked into this option. I can't work from home as I only rent and it's not allowed in my tenency agreement, plus I have no idea what sort of thing I might do.
I don't have any debts so at least thats something I don't have to worry about.

pmlindyloo

jillyflower wrote: »

Thanks for that. However, you suggest I tighten my belt. The bills that I have to pay are not changable ie rent, water rates, gas and electricity so not really any way to reduce them. When I've paid these's I am into a minus figure!
Paper rounds are like hens teeth, very difficult to find and no one will employ children under the age of 16, I've looked into this option. I can't work from home as I only rent and it's not allowed in my tenency agreement, plus I have no idea what sort of thing I might do.
I don't have any debts so at least thats something I don't have to worry about.

Good news about having no debts.

I have to disagree that the bills you mention are not changeable. This website has plenty of tips how to change utility suppliers to get the best deal/how to reduce your use of electricity/gas etc.

Is your local housing allowance less than your rent? if you could pay it when you entered your tenancy agreement and have not claimed HB for the last year then they will pay your full rent for 13 weeks. (called a 13 week protection period)

You can also apply for a Discretionary Housing Payment if you need a 'top up'.

I know you feeling scared of the future but there are ways that we can try and reduce your expenditure, just need some details (if you want to share)

As harsh as it may sound this is the only way forward if you cannot increase your income.

jillyflower

Thanks pmlindyloo. I have been claiming houseing benefit for the last 5 years because I've had a low income and I changed my utility suppliers only 3 weeks ago and am baseing my future bills on their predictions. I have read all the information I can on reducing my living costs and just can't find any way to make further cuts.
The amount I will be trying to manage on is £100 per month less than my wages were when I was working and on top of my wages I got working tax credits, child tax credits and housing benefit. I will be getting in the region of £850 in benefits, my rent is £600 per month and water rates are £51 per month which I'm sure you can see doesn't really leave me enough to live on. I know you may suggest that I move to a cheaper property but as I'm on benefits none of the local estate agents will rent property to me because of the 3rd party rent. So it's a case of trying to find a cheaper property with a private landlord, which is easier said than done, although I am trying. Having said that I would still be looking at a rent of around £500 per month which is still not enough of a saving to make things work. I am very grateful for the time you've spent reading my messages and replying. Thank you

pmlindyloo

Have you applied to go on the housing list?

Go and see your local council and explain the situation. They are there to give advice to people in your situation. They may suggest you apply for a Discretionary Housing Benefit to help whist you are trying to find a cheaper property. They may be able to help with landlords who accept HB.

There is financial help available. The local council must be your first point of call in this situation.

Have you got a water meter? Your water bill is high and would probably be reduced if you had a water meter. Telephone your water company and ask about this.

What is your local housing allowance for a 2 bed property? This is the rent you should be aiming for.

jillyflower

I have asked about going on the housing list but I've been told I'll probably be waiting for at least 3 years. I don't have a water meter and I have spoken to the water company and they say that it's cheaper to stay as I am than to go on a water meter. I plan to go to see the council early next week to see what they can help with. I would have gone this week but I haven't been well enough to go out, fingers crossed for next week.

pmlindyloo

jillyflower wrote: »

I have asked about going on the housing list but I've been told I'll probably be waiting for at least 3 years. I don't have a water meter and I have spoken to the water company and they say that it's cheaper to stay as I am than to go on a water meter. I plan to go to see the council early next week to see what they can help with. I would have gone this week but I haven't been well enough to go out, fingers crossed for next week.

I find it hard to believe that your water bills would not be cheaper if using a water meter. Anyway.............

Looking at another angle. Where does the father of your child live?

We have reciprocal arrangements with many countries with enforcing maintenance court orders.

You do not need a solicitor - you can go to your local magistrate's court to do this They will help you apply for a court order if appropriate.

Read this:

https://www.gov.uk/child-maintenance-if-one-parent-lives-abroad/other-countries

Horseunderwater

Are you on income related ESA? If yes & you are now in one of the two groups you may get a little extra. Also you should get full CTC's not just the amount based on income.
That water bill is very high - more like the one I had based on rateable value (£53 RV - now £17M) Thats a saving of £326/year. This with 3 adults - soon 2 b 2 from Sunday.
Make sure the heating is programmed, so not on constant, makes a difference (2 us with old boiler£200 approx). Turn rad's down to 2 in rooms not used. Get thermal lined curtains - freecycle m,ay have some going. Pop draft excluder if needed in doors/windows. Boil a kettle fill a flask with hot water & use for most of your drinks. All things that can help in immediate future.