Incapacity Benefit & M.E.

mardatha

I have posted about this but think I put it in wrong place.Has anybody else in here got moderate/severe ME -- can they advise me if they get IB indefinitely? Hearing all sorts of rumours that it's been taken off the list of illness that they take into account, etc & now been sent an IB50 and starting to work up into a panic here. Can they just stop your benefit or are there appeals/procedures to go through like with DLA?

healy

I dont think anyone gets IB for ME indefinitely as I dont think it is in an exempt category. Once you fill in the IB50 you may be called for a medical. If you fail this you can then appeal the decsion to an independent tribunal as with DLA.

lil_me

There is no such thing as receiving benefit indefinately, it is what they call it sometimes but they shouldn't. Benefits will always require reviews etc. A relative of mine was given DLA/Incapacity Benefit for 'life' basically it said on the award letter, 19 months later he was asked to attend a medical and had his benefit stopped. It was mentioned in his appeal that it is nice to know 'life' lasts for 19 months.

dmg24

My information may be out of date now, but a friend who had ME a few years ago still had periodic reviews, so I would agree with the others.

TOBRUK

Hi Madartha, I have ME and have suffered for 11 years. I was working when I was diagnosed and unfortunately my condition worsened to the point that 8 years ago I had to leave work because of my health. As I had been working I then received Incapacity Benefit, but after (I think it was about 3 years later) was put on Income Support and on their letter it says that I am in receipt of Income support and any incapacity that I may be entitled.

I do receive DLA, mobility and care components and I see my GP on a regular basis. When I first applied for DLA I was refused and went to tribunal. The past 4 years I have not had any problems with regard renewal of claim.

stazi

Unless DLA High Rate Care is in payment, ME is subject to the IB medical test as any other incapacity.

TOBRUK

I get middle care rate and mobility high rate and I have not been subjected to IB medical test.

lil_me

stazi wrote: »

Unless DLA High Rate Care is in payment, ME is subject to the IB medical test as any other incapacity.

But they still need to attend DLA medical if required, this was what my family member attended and was taken off DLA and IB (but made a successful appeal)

TOBRUK - so far you may have been just lucky, I was on IB for years without being asked to attend a medical then was called to attend one.

mardatha

ok thanks, I see whats happened now. I have had ME for 7 yrs, worked almost 4 of them then had to give up. Got IB 3 years ago and now this must be a review or something. I get lower rate both DLA but that runs out soon as well, had that for 3 years too. I need leave the forms until I feel better, head not good today. Thanks all as always yur brilliant. x:D

TOBRUK

Hi lilme (sorry my underscore isn't working!), I'm no longer on Incabacity Benefit, about 3 years ago I was told I was no longer eligible (as I had left work about 3 or 4 years before - it depends on your contributions doesn't it) and therefore was put on income support which they stated on the letter would include any incapacity I was entitled to.

I did have a doctor out the first time I applied for DLA and was turned down but went to tribunal. I have seen an ME specialist and am regularly seen by my GP with regards my condition. Twice now I have re-applied for DLA and have not had a problem, but I named my GP as person who knew my condition best on these occasions, and the last time they rated my care component higher than before.

lil_me

When you are on IB they pay your NI contributions, so once you are entitled it should continue unless they decide you are fit for work.......I've been on IB for 8 years ....from what you said it states on your IS award you might be being paid IB just through them, I might be wrong. http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/index/life/benefits/national_insurance_contributions_and_benefits.htm#national_insurance_credits

explains how the NI credits work.

On the second or whatever page it is now (I haven't dealt with one for a while) of your award letter for IS it'll give a breakdown of what you are entitled to and from where, on there it will say Incapacity Benefit if it's paid to you with your IS.