Benefits Advice

TrainGeek1808

Hi guys

I wonder if I could pick your brains for what benefits you think we are missing out on, or have got wrong.

I am 37, my wife 32. My wife has been on DLA/PIP for around 5 years, on the standard rate (care and mobility) of PIP at present.

I was diagnosed on 3 March with a life limiting illness. I finished work on 13 February, went in to hospital on 16 February and out on 23 February.

Previous to that I was employed, on around £30k per annum gross. My employer was good enough to pay me full salary until 31 March, from 1 April I'm on SSP.

We have no other sources of income.

What I've claimed so far, with meetings with nurses and a phone call with the hospital benefits advisor is:

1. Enhanced PIP from 12 March (date claim went in) for care and mobility
2. Housing Benefit from 6 April (application active from 1 April but they go to following Monday I understand) - £80.77 per week
3. Council Tax Benefit from 6 April - 90% discount
4. Income Support - i thought from 1 April but the woman I spoke to seemed to think we could claim from 13 February, but that doesn't sound right - waiting to hear on this
5. Carers Allowance - told my wife could claim for me from 12 March to 31 March - waiting to hear on this
6. Concessionary bus pass - waiting to hear
7. Blue badge - waiting to hear
8. Free prescriptions - received

I think that's where we are at currently - but any advice would be much appreciated if we are missing out on anything.

Thanks in anticipation.

TrainGeek

merlin68

Warm home discount have to register with energy provider.
Some water companies give reduced water.
PDSA for pets.
You could each claim carers allowance for each other.
Free car tax on the mobility.
when you go to appointments at hospital you can claim the petrol back just take award letter.

Indie_Kid

Do you need your house adapted? You should also be entitled to an assessment from social services, for which you can self refer. You may also be entitled to direct payments (from social services) if you need any personal care.

TrainGeek1808

merlin68 wrote: »

Warm home discount have to register with energy provider.
Some water companies give reduced water.
PDSA for pets.
You could each claim carers allowance for each other.
Free car tax on the mobility.
when you go to appointments at hospital you can claim the petrol back just take award letter.

Thank you.

I've seen the Warm House Discount but can't apply until July/August apparently (Southern Electric)
I'm with Yorkshire Water - quick look, I don't think we qualify for the additional water
We've looked into PDSA for our dog but that means changing vets, etc and we don't want to further unsettle him.
Carers Allowance - does this not affect our other benefits? I'm not sure on how this works?
Free Car Tax - we don't have a car where this is applicable
Mileage - yes, we are claiming this (waiting fit Income Support to be able to claim this)

I appreciate your response - I thought it easiest to reply to each point to seek further advice where applicable/cover all angles.

Thanks again

TrainGeek

TrainGeek1808

Indie_Kid wrote: »

Do you need your house adapted? You should also be entitled to an assessment from social services, for which you can self refer. You may also be entitled to direct payments (from social services) if you need any personal care.

At the moment, I think we're ok. My wife has a few mobility aids - perching stool, shower seat, etc.

Our property is rented so I don't think major adaptations would be approved.

Thanks

TrainGeek

Indie_Kid

TrainGeek1808 wrote: »

Carers Allowance - does this not affect our other benefits? I'm not sure on how this works?

Yes it does. If someone claims carers allowance for you, you lose your severe disability premium within benefits.

TrainGeek1808

Indie_Kid wrote: »

Yes it does. If someone claims carers allowance for you, you lose your severe disability premium within benefits.

Where is the SDP paid within?

I've not heard from Income Support so it might be in there? I've had to get up to speed pretty quickly with benefits having never claimed before, so apologies if some of the questions may be obvious.

Thanks

TrainGeek

Indie_Kid

TrainGeek1808 wrote: »

Where is the SDP paid within?

I've not heard from Income Support so it might be in there? I've had to get up to speed pretty quickly with benefits having never claimed before, so apologies if some of the questions may be obvious.

Thanks

TrainGeek

SDP is paid within income support. If you get it within income support, it's an extra £60-ish per person per week.

Income support entitles you to the following:
- full housing benefit for your situation
- full council tax support (what you'll get varies by area)
- free prescriptions, eye tests, glasses voucher and dental care

TrainGeek1808

Indie_Kid wrote: »

SDP is paid within income support. If you get it within income support, it's an extra £60-ish per person per week.

Income support entitles you to the following:
- full housing benefit for your situation
- full council tax support (what you'll get varies by area)
- free prescriptions, eye tests, glasses voucher and dental care

Thanks.

I'll wait to see what Income Support come back with before looking further at this then I think.

TrainGeek

Indie_Kid

Have you had a benefits check from citizens advice (CAB) yet? They'll probably suggest a load of things we've missed out.

TrainGeek1808

I've not as yet - we've not got one where we live.

I'm seeing the McMillan Benefit and Welfare advisor on Tuesday - hopefully she will run through everything again.

Thanks

TrainGeek