Incapacity Benefit - anything I can do??

kit

Hi
I recently put in a claim for IB on the advice of the jobcenter. I gave up work back in March due to ill health so put in for backdating for the maximum of 3 months.

Anyway, I got a letter today saying that I am not entitled as I didnt pay enough NI between April 05 / 06. I phoned them to question this and it seems that because my daughter was born that year and I had 10 months off, I didnt pay enough NI to have benefits now. I thought my maternity allowance and child benefit paid my NI but it turns out they only pay towards my pension not towards any benefit claims.

So I am stuck at home recovering from a dislocated knee and waiting for an operation to put it right.... also suffering badly from depression and I cant claim any money because I had a child 2 years ago - somehow I cant help feeling a little 'put out' by this.

Is there anything I can do? I feel like crying.

MandyG_3

dont have any advice sorry but thoguht I would agree with how stupid it is sometimes.

My hubby has been ill a long time and we have been entitled to nothing but are now trying for incapacity etc.

hope you figure something out

xx

Morglin

kit wrote: »

Hi
I recently put in a claim for IB on the advice of the jobcenter. I gave up work back in March due to ill health so put in for backdating for the maximum of 3 months.

Anyway, I got a letter today saying that I am not entitled as I didnt pay enough NI between April 05 / 06. I phoned them to question this and it seems that because my daughter was born that year and I had 10 months off, I didnt pay enough NI to have benefits now. I thought my maternity allowance and child benefit paid my NI but it turns out they only pay towards my pension not towards any benefit claims.

So I am stuck at home recovering from a dislocated knee and waiting for an operation to put it right.... also suffering badly from depression and I cant claim any money because I had a child 2 years ago - somehow I cant help feeling a little 'put out' by this.

Is there anything I can do? I feel like crying.

No, you cannot claim contributory IB, as you didn't work during the qualifying period, but depending on your circumstances, you may be able to claim a means-tested benefit:

http://www.entitledto.co.uk/

Lin