Falling through the benefit cracks....

brightondebs

Hi there,
I am really struggling at the moment but seem to be able to get no financial help from the government. I really hope there is someone out there who can help me. Basically, my story is this. Two years ago I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia. It's a chronic pain condition and meant I had to give up my job as a web designer. I was unemployed for a year but now work part time (18.5hrs/wk) for a charity who are very understanding about my condition. Unfortunately I earn only £10000pa. My problem is fibromyalgia isn't recognised as disabling enough to grant me DLA and I can't get working tax credits as I don't work 30hrs/wk. I can't get other credits as I work over 16 hours. I don't seem to be able to even get council tax credit (I live in my own home). I am single with no children. Please, please help as there is no way I can work longer hours than I do - what I'm doing is a struggle - and I can't pay my mortgage only this wage. I recently had lodgers in to cover my bills (I converted the lounge in my 1 bed flat into a bedroom) but they caused a huge amount of damage and evicting them had to involve the police. I really want to avoid doing that again!

Thank you.

Debs

minimadtrix

I'm sorry to hear about your situation. Unfortunately I think it's a case of when you try to better yourself (i.e. own a home, have a job) the Government don't want to know you.

I've tried racking my brain to think of anything for you, but I can't at the minute and hope someone might come along with better news.

However, there is one thing that might be possible - do you have any insurance plan in place with your mortgage? If so, would they see you condition as worthy of paying out?

minimadtrix

Just had another thought - have you applied for Incapacity Benefit? I think you would be entitled to it and still work up to 15 hours. Once you get that, you can then apply for DLA.

What you do have to remember is that when you apply for any benefit to do with your health, you'll find that your application will be refused. However, you MUST appeal - the majority of the time people that do appeal win.

Hope this is slightly better news than my last post!

stazi

Assuming the OP's hourly rate is £10.39ph (£10K divided by 52w, divided by 18.5h), she would have to drop her hours to 8.5pw to be under the IB Permitted Work (PW) rules of £88.50pw.

Also, IB and DLA are separate benefits with different conditions of entitlement. A successful IB claim does not mean the DLA claim would be successful.

[Deleted User]

I would just add that DLA isnt dependant on the illness/condition,but on the care and or mobility needs you have,if you have care/mobility issues then you MUST apply for DLA,it might be a good idea to either research DLA yourself before applying or approach wlefare rights or c.a.b. for help in completing the forms.DLA is paid if you are working or not and doesnt affect other benefits and isnt taxed.
I assume you are getting the 25% council tax reduction as a single householder?

Torry_Quine

[. My problem is fibromyalgia isn't recognised as disabling enough to grant me DLA)



DLA is given for the needs you have rather than a specific diagnosis although some illnesses do seem to be given a harder time. Many people, myself included, were initially turned down for DLA so I would encourage you to try again and contact your local welfare rights organisation for help.

healy

minimadtrix wrote: »

Just had another thought - have you applied for Incapacity Benefit? I think you would be entitled to it and still work up to 15 hours. Once you get that, you can then apply for DLA.

What you do have to remember is that when you apply for any benefit to do with your health, you'll find that your application will be refused. However, you MUST appeal - the majority of the time people that do appeal win.

Hope this is slightly better news than my last post!

I have worked it out and if the OP received Incapacity Benefit with the higher age addition and the maximum permitted work amount it would still be a bit less than £10,000. Many claims for IB and DLA are are granted without problem and people do not need to appeal.

brightondebs

Many thanks for all your replies. In regards to the DLA, I worded my post slightly wrong. Basically, I've read up on DLA and although fibromyalgia causes me extreme fatigue and constant pain it doesn't fit the requirement of:

your disability is severe enough for you to need help caring for yourself or you have walking difficulties, or both

Although there has been times in the past where I had to hire a cleaner and buy all my food out as I was incapable of cleaning or cooking for myself, I'm not that bad anymore as I am now only working part time. I could lie of course...

So, basically, I can either work longer hours, render myself completely disabled and claim DLA or work shorter hours and get no help.

real1314

Another option might be to sell your house and move to rented accomodation, but even then you might get no help.

An income of £200 per week would see you get £59 per week help on a rent of £150 per week or more, assuming you are over 25.

You can combine different jobs to meet the WTC 30 hrs so maybe some other job that could be worked around your illness might be a solution?

kelloggs36

I thought that working tax credits was if you worked over 16 hours per week, if you work 30 or more you get a higher premium though.

dmg24

kelloggs36 wrote: »

I thought that working tax credits was if you worked over 16 hours per week, if you work 30 or more you get a higher premium though.

For single people it is thirty hours, or sixteen hours if in receipt of DLA.