what should I do?

mirry

I live with my husband and he works full time.
I myself have a disability eds3/pots syndrome that makes it very difficult for me to work a lot of hours. I am not entitled to ESA due to my husband working. So I work 8 hours a week doing ironing for the local elderly.

On top of that, I care for my disabled son who lives in his own flat. I am not entitled to carers allowance for this as he gets the severe disability premium.

I looked at tax credits & they asked me, do I work more than 16 hrs a week to qualify. Well the answer to this is yes. 8 hours ironing work. And 8+ hours looking after my son

Now I don't think that would count.
Social services are involved and know it to be true.

Caz3121

mirry wrote: »

I looked at tax credits & they asked me, do I work more than 16 hrs a week to qualify.

you would not be able to claim WTC as a single person as you are married so it would be a joint claim with your husband. If no children at home you would need a combined income of under £18k
Have you looked at PIP?

mirry

Forgot to mention, we were talking about him paying me some money for the help I provide. £20 a week.

mirry

Tax credits told me because I have a disability that makes it impossible for me to work many hours , then we are eligible if our incomes under £25000

mirry

But there's no way I can do more, as I keep passing out.

missbiggles1

mirry wrote: »

Forgot to mention, we were taking about him paying me some money for the help I provide. £20 a week.

That's only £2.50 an hour!:eek:

pmlindyloo

I think you are talking about the disability element that can be added to a joint claim if one of you has a disability. This would mean that your total earnings to claim tax credits would be higher than for a couple where neither had a disability.

BUT in order to claim the disability element when a tax credits calculation is done then you would have to be working 16 hrs a week. (as you have found out)

Your caring duties would not be classed as earnings/counted in the hours needed so you would not entitled to the disability element. Presumably your husband's earnings mean you cannot receive tax credits at the moment?

If you are unable to increase your hours then you will not eligible for working tax credits.

Looking at your illnesses it is possible that you may be eligible for PIP (Personal Independence Payment)

This is not means tested so your husband working or you working will not affect it.

You could go to CAB and ask them to do a pre assessment for you to see if they think you might qualify for PIP. Then if they believe you should apply you can do so.

If you decide to do this then take any medical evidence (reports etc) that you have with you to back up your claim.

I had to google for information about your medical conditions so printing off a couple of articles for CAB might also be helpful.

Mojisola

mirry wrote: »

On top of that, I care for my disabled son who lives in his own flat.

I am not entitled to carers allowance for this as he gets the severe disability premium.

It's really the other way round - he is getting SDP so that he can pay for help because no-one is getting CA for looking after him.

Wouldn't the easiest solution be for you to claim CA for looking after him?

mirry

I can't claim carers as he wouldn't then get the housing benefit.

Thanks for all your help. I think I will carry on as we are and see how it goes

nannytone_2

mirry wrote: »

I can't claim carers as he wouldn't then get the housing benefit.

Thanks for all your help. I think I will carry on as we are and see how it goes

of course he'd still get housing benefit!

the only benefit that is affected by carers allowance is the severe disability premium

nannytone_2

nannytone wrote: »

of course he'd still get housing benefit!

the only benefit that is affected by carers allowance is the severe disability premium

just a thought ...
is he under 35 and living in a privately rented 1 bed property?

if he is then the SDP needs to be in payment for him to qualify for the 1 bed rate rather than the shared accommodation rate