Incapacity Benefit & M.E.

TOBRUK

mardatha wrote: »

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

Well after a while of leaving work your contributions run out and so you are no longer eligible for IB (that's how I understand it because you can't getc IB unless you have been working), but as long as you are sick you will get income support. You should also get other benefits, housing/rent/mortgage interest, council tax.

I know with this condition (with brain fog and everything else!) it is hard to face these forms, but I had to do them a little each time (on other paper) over a space of a week, then read over it before filling in the form. Don't leave it until last minute though. Good luck and don't give in.

lil_me

Sorry added to the reply. That should explain to you how it works, that entitlement to IB can continue as the NI credits are paid. Just trying to get info off someone else to explain further about where it is on the letter.

**Edited** Bottom of the second page of the award letter will state 'This includes Incapacity Benefit of' XXXX'

If this is what it states you are still receiving IB.

TOBRUK

lil_me wrote: »

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 now.....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.

Oh I see, I really don't understand exactly how it works and when they informed me that they were changing my benefit to income support from IB I really didn't ask why to be honest, but it did state that whatever IB I may be entitled to would be included.

I really find it hard work to work out the benefit rates etc. THey don't make it easy do they - or perhaps I'm just a little thick!;)

TOBRUK

lil_me wrote: »

Sorry added to the reply. That should explain to you how it works, that entitlement to IB can continue as the NI credits are paid. Just trying to get info off someone else to explain further about where it is on the letter.

**Edited** Bottom of the second page of the award letter will state 'This includes Incapacity Benefit of' XXXX'

If this is what it states you are still receiving IB.

Do you know it never stated on any letter: This includes Incapacity Benefit of xxxx' so I don't know if I get any or not!

lil_me

Well the letter I had access to off an old case does on the breakdown on the second page right at the bottom but it was from 2006, friend scanned hers to me, so they may have changed the format since and it may differ between different DWP offices, this one was from Newcastle.

However they have said to you

but it did state that whatever IB I may be entitled to would be included.

Which would suggest to me that it includes your IB. If you contact your local office they will be able to tell you if it does include it or not. Your entitlement through NI doesn't change if you have been on it for a few years so unless they have said you are now fit to return to work then you should still be receiving it (in this case with your IS)

M.E.

I have had periodic medical interviews and loads of forms to fill in over the last 20 years with M.E. (Is it really that long ago.)
We have learned to live with it and cope as best we can. Fortunately my NI contributions were sufficient for me to get a full pension for when I reach retirement age in two year's time.
The name of the benefits have changed over the years ... "moving goal posts!!" so now I attend the interviews and just wait for the assessment.
I'd rather have my health than the benefit.
Make sure you keep a copy of what you write on your form. They lost mine once and I was so grateful that I had scanned a copy, otherwise I would have shed a bucketload of tears because of the effort to fill in the form.
Hope it sorts out for you

mardatha

I've been off work for 3 years and had IB for all of that time, didnt know you got recalled every so often. I worked all my life before that though, until I was 54, so hopefull will have enough stamps to go on a bit longer.
I really really want to start my own business but scared to take the risk, I can be so up & down, one great day then 3 awful ones, etc. And the benefit situation is a minefield .

healy

mardatha wrote: »

I've been off work for 3 years and had IB for all of that time, didnt know you got recalled every so often. I worked all my life before that though, until I was 54, so hopefull will have enough stamps to go on a bit longer.
I really really want to start my own business but scared to take the risk, I can be so up & down, one great day then 3 awful ones, etc. And the benefit situation is a minefield .

The National Insurance contributions required for IB are those that you have been paid or been credited with in the 3 years BEFORE your claim. As long as you continue to qualify otherwise (ie illness) you will continue to be paid IB. You will not run out of stamps. Whilst receiving IB you will receive National Insurance credits to go towards your retirement pension etc.

mardatha

ohh thank you so much xxx You get fedup worrying don't you ! TY !

TOBRUK

healy wrote: »

The National Insurance contributions required for IB are those that you have been paid or been credited with in the 3 years BEFORE your claim. As long as you continue to qualify otherwise (ie illness) you will continue to be paid IB. You will not run out of stamps. Whilst receiving IB you will receive National Insurance credits to go towards your retirement pension etc.

So as I am still off work through my illness I should be in receipt of IB although about 3 years ago (I had been receiving IB since leaving work on health grounds) they said they had changed it to income support and any IB I was entitled to would be included?