Am I entitled to benefits ?

WhiteyCantley

I am a 52 yr old male living in a council provided disability flat, I am self employed and work on average a couple of days a week. My annual income from last year was £5161 from self employment and £4960.35 working tax credit with disability element.

It's complex but I will try to explain my situation as best I can and I apologise if it's long winded.
In 2005 I had an accident at work which prolapsed L3+4 discs and a nine inch hernia to my groin, the consultant said if they operated it was a 60% chance of putting me in a wheelchair so I had to continue until the operation was no option. It took 18 months to get back on my feet and another year for my wife to clean me out and divorce me. I had a dark year and discovered i have a life long condition after recieving treatment, I have major depressive disorder, social anxiety disorder to name two. Apparently I've lived oblivious to it all my live thinking it was just me. The local council occupational therapist put me into a disability flat and I recieved benefits. In 2012 ATOS kicked me off benefits so I had to work part time self employed, I tried to get an employed job but got zero...
In February 2014 a tree blew down in the gales and wiped me out in my van, fractured spine between L1+2 with disc herniation and internal problems. I got no help from DSS stating I was self employed and not entitled to anything. In June 2014 I ran out of money and went back to work still in my spinal frame, I know it was stupid the consultant went beserk , I had no option if I wanted to eat and keep my flat. Here I am still struggling and not getting any further forward because of physical and mental health, I do everything I can but recognise it's not getting any easier. Then I came across this site so here I am asking for guidance.

It's very easy for me to express myself through this medium but struggle face to face. I keep my contact with people to a minimum so don't get to know what's what re entitlements etc.
Any guidance would be greatly appreciated.

Thankyou
Paul

kingfisherblue

Do you receive DLA or PIP?

Have you applied for Housing Benefit or Council Tax Support?

WhiteyCantley

I don't know what any of those benefits are, all I get is working tax credit. I'm really unaware of any benefits I might be entitled to. Thanks for replying

WhiteyCantley

Penitent - thankyou for the link, I'm going to apply for the assessment and take it from there.
Hopefully it will be fruitful

elsien

If you are not in a universal credit area:

If you are not able to carry on working, you would look to claim ESA which has replaced sickness benefits. This can initially be claimed using a form if you struggle with telephone conversations but will need a face to face assessment at some point. I would suggest you get help with this.

https://www.gov.uk/employment-support-allowance/eligibility

You can also look at claiming PIP which is not means tested, so you can do that whether you carry on working or not.
https://www.gov.uk/pip

You will need evidence from medical professionals for both of these. I would strongly advise getting help filling the forms in from someone who specialises in benefits. They see people who need support all the time and will be used to people who find face to face discussions more difficult.
You can also look at housing benefit (if renting) and council tax support via your local council.

If you want to run some figures through a benefits calculator to give you an idea of entitlements with or without work and can't face CAB right now, there are benefits calculators on entitledto or turn2us.

Hope that helps. My knowledge of universal credit is limited, but you can check if that would apply to you instead here.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/jobcentres-where-you-can-claim-universal-credit

Hope that helps.

WhiteyCantley

Elsien - thankyou for your help, I've tried the benefits calculator but it hits a wall because my income is below the minimum floor whatever that is. I think I'm going to have to find help through CAB or similar.
I'm bewildered at some of the questions because of my lack of knowledge re benefits etc.

Cyclamen

Hello Whitey

You do sound quite muddled. I am no expert but lets see if I can be any help as i too found it all very confusing to start.

You mention you were kicked of benefits in 2012.. I am guessing this was Employment Support Allowance (ESA). This benefit is for people who are too poorly to work. Have a look at this link https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/employment-and-support-allowance/before-you-apply-for-esa/eligiblility-for-esa/

You mention you are in a disability flat.. so that sounds like you need adapted properties and equipment. I would suggest having a look at PIP (Personal independence payment). This is not means tested and is based on gaining points for being unable to do different activities. There are two parts 'daily living' that is all about how you manage to care for yourself and 'getting around' to do with mobility.
Have a look at this link.. but from what I have read you might be eligible..https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/pip/before-claiming/check-you-are-eligible/

Do you get help with your rent and council tax? If not this is something you can contact your local council for (google) and someone can help you with the forms.

Are you well enough to continue work?
If you stay in work are you paying National Insurance credits to go towards your pension etc?

your sums so far.
£5161 per year / 52 weeks = £99.25
On a 16 hour weeks as disabled that comes out at £6.20p/h
Now there are huge benefits to staying in work and I admire anyone who does work whilst poorly if they are able. But my question is is your work harming your health? is it manageable? If so great crack on but if not perhaps look at out of work benefits ESA .

The system has changed with something called UC - Universal credit which is slowly being rolled out across the country and others would need to help you with that. But there is still an ESA component for those to poorly to work.

I really think you could do with a chat with a benefits advisor and your medical team to decide your path. Can you pop into a Citizens advice Bureau.

Good luck sorting things out an dworking out what to do


I don't know the lower age limit but AgeUK have an advice centre in Doncaster


Dial also have a doncaster center.. http://www.dialdoncaster.co.uk/about-us