Claiming Incapacity Benefit instead of Income Support?

gorgeous_gwen

Hello

I have just started receiving Income Support as a lone parent after my contract at work finished. I have a preschool-age son.

I have suffered with mental health issues on and off for a while now, more so since the birth of my son. Right before I found out I was pregnant four or so years ago I had just been prescribed anti d's which I stopped taking when found out I was pregnant, then suffered with post natal depression after he was born. I went back to work when he was six months old and have had spells during this time of suffering with depression, stress and anxiety.

Over the last year by my reckoning I must have spent nearly six months in total off sick, and whilst I was looking for alternative work once the end of my contract was looming, I am in the position where I am doubting my ability to be able to hold down a job because of my mental health.

I don't think I would be eligible for any care component of DLA as I can cook a main meal. My main areas of difficulty are poor memory and concentration, lack of motivation, constant tiredness and difficulty sometimes in leaving the house by myself (which I found to be the main reason why I had time off towards the end of my job.) I often have help and support from family and friends to look after my son. I have just started taking some new anti d's, see my GP regularly who is very supportive, and once established on my medication should be referred to see a psychiatrist or CPN.

I am wondering if it may be worth claiming for Incapacity Benefit? I did ask the Lone Parent advisor about it, and although she gave me some details, she wasn't terribly forthcoming (which I expected.) She did say that medical evidence would be needed simply in the form of a sick note, so I was wondering if it would be worth claiming, and how IB works with me receiving IS? I have been reading about it but I can't seem to work out how much I would receive, I think I'm just confusing myself!

I already receive Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit, Child Benefit and Child Tax Credits. Any help or advice would be most gratefully received!

seven-day-weekend

IB is a Contributory Benefit so unless you have paid enough Class One National Insurance Contributions in the relevant tax years you will not be eligible for it.

In fact you may well find that is why you are receiving IS.

I don't think IB would be any more money than IS.

cifpower

The start rate for IB is about £10 more than the single adult allowance for IS IIRC. Have you applied for IB? If not, I would, as long as you and your doctor feel you are unable to work. I would also apply for DLA as it can be paid to people who suffer mental illness. On my down days I am unable to get out of bed, wash myself or cook myself a meal; I am basically a plant who sits in the corner and broods. I applied for DLA and was awarded medium rate care.

jul22

The start rate for IB (if you have paid your National Insurance Contributions over the past few years) is only a few £'s more than IS (I don't know the exact rates for you - but can find out tomorrow!). If you do qualify for IB, as the amount you would receive is higher than IS, you would no longer be eligible for IS.

If you haven't paid enough NI Conts then you will receive a credit towards your old age pension - but sadly no money!

However, if you continue to hold a valid IB claim after a year then you will be eligible for a Disability Premium of approximately £20 (it's a bit more, but I don't have the exact rates at home!!!).

In addition, you will need to supply medical certificates from your Doctor.

As for DLA, I don't know what they look at when they assess a person's claim, but there's no harm in applying! Nothing ventured, nothing gained as they say! Futhermore, if you are successful and are eligible for DLA, this will automatically entitle you to the Disability Premium (and possibly more depending on what rate of the Care Component you received).

Good luck with whatever decision you decide.

cifpower

You're right, IB start rate is only about £3 higher than IS but it does increase after 6 months and then a year to £75.40 and then £84.50 respectively. Also, if you are on IB for a year you can get an age addition dependant on what age you were when you started to claim. It is either £17.75 or £8.90 on top of the £84.50. So I would definitely claim IB over IS if you can.

GlasweJen

DLA care is about needing someone to care for you for a period of time throughout the day (and night if higher). As OP can look after herself and needs no help with cooking then it's unlikely she'll get care component.

DLA lower mobility might be an option if OP needs help going outside because of her mental illness though so possibly fill in the form from that angle?

gorgeous_gwen

seven-day-weekend wrote: »

IB is a Contributory Benefit so unless you have paid enough Class One National Insurance Contributions in the relevant tax years you will not be eligible for it.

In fact you may well find that is why you are receiving IS.

I don't think IB would be any more money than IS.

I have been earning over the appropriate amount thus paying NI Class One contributions for the last four years, I think the advisor said it would go over the last three years so that shouldn't be a problem.

I'm receiving IS primarily as I am a lone parent and initially called the JSA helpline about claiming JSA; however as soon as the JCP found out I was a lone parent they recommended going on IS as they said hardly any lone parents claim JSA.

However considering the amount of time I have spent off sick during the last year, and the fact that I spent the last two months at the end of my contract signed off sick, I don't know if it is realistic or not to consider myself able to work.

Loopy_Girl

Personally I don't see why you would bother. As a lone parent, you are not expected to be looking for work anyway and that is why you are in receipt of IS.
If you have an appointment with a lone parent advisor at any time then just say you are not ready to go back to work. They accept this and mark it down.

Even if you were eligible for IB, my experience is that they give in one hand and take away with the other so it may be that you have to pay the extra you get (or a proportion) for rent, for example.

DLA is not means tested though so may be worthwhile if you think appropriate.

[Deleted User]

I/B initself isnt a passport to some of the benefits that i/s is e.g. full counci, tax benefits,and h/b(in full in most cases)also entitles you to free prescription and free dental treatment,i`m sure theres more but its late and i getting tired at last,you may find more help at the
Youreable.com | Benefits free forums

homealone_2

cifpower wrote: »

You're right, IB start rate is only about £3 higher than IS but it does increase after 6 months and then a year to £75.40 and then £84.50 respectively. Also, if you are on IB for a year you can get an age addition dependant on what age you were when you started to claim. It is either £17.75 or £8.90 on top of the £84.50. So I would definitely claim IB over IS if you can.

what is the age addition dependant? never heard of it before. also wondered is the amount of IB you get dependant upon if you still receive some money from your empolyers. i was getting an income protection plan money from company every month which i think will end soon

seven-day-weekend

IB is not means-tested othr than for certain Occupational Pensions, so your Income Protection Plan shouldn't make any difference.