Income Support Review Form + Appointee

Aionic · 21 August 2014 at 2:48PM

A few days ago I received the first IS review form I ever recall receiving. This was only days after my IS total was recalculated with a disability premium, having gotten PIP after an 8 month wait. The form was returned ASAP. The deadline was under two weeks, including weekends, for them receiving it back...so I rushed.

Only after returning did it occur to me that I'm the appointee for my son. He receives ESA (IR, Support, disability premium) & DLA, and I listed him along with his 'weekly' income (calculated based on monthly total) on the form. It said I didn't have to list the money he receives but, as far as I know, I have nothing to hide. It did state to include social security benefits in the total.

My son gets his benefits paid into a bank account created in his own name. I have no access to it. I just deal with forms/phone calls on his behalf. So, I didn't list his bank account and was open about the 'income' he receives as I didn't think it would affect my claim in any way.

But now I'm concerned. Maybe when they receive the form they'll just see the calculated weekly total (which is a lot more than my IS total) and not take off DLA, or even just assume his ESA is my income. I didn't give the exact benefit totals because all it asked for was a weekly total; including benefits.

I just put:
Son's name/age/etc (page before)
ESA + DLA (higher-rate care)
Weekly total: xxx.xx

This is making me ill, now. I don't know if I should sent a letter, or what to say. As far as I am/was aware, my son's benefits had no bearing on my own means-tested benefit claim. But being an appointee would - legally - mean everything is mine?... wouldn't it? If I write a letter not understanding, I'll just make the situation worse.

I was going to send this as a letter:
"I am writting to clarify a point I had intended to on the form itself: The calculated £xxx per week combined in ESA and DLA listed in Part 4 of my Income Support review form that I receive as the appointee for my son, xxx, is spent only on his behalf. It goes into a separate bank account created for (in his own name) and accessed by my son. The total has no bearing on my own income whatsoever. "

stevemLS · 21 August 2014 at 3:16PM

An appointee manages benefits on behalf of someone else, it does not transfer ownership of the funds.

Aionic · 21 August 2014 at 3:29PM

Then, if that's the case, my son's ESA + DLA total should be disregarded when reviewing my IS claim? I neglected to mention he lives with me and I am his carer. Household income was concerning me, as well.

Aionic · 25 August 2014 at 1:19PM

Sorry to post again, but it's still worrying me: appointee or not, does the 'income' my adult son receives affect my Income Support amount? I put both his ESA & DLA weekly totals together as that's all that was asked and I can't shake feeling they'll see that total, assume his income, or part of it, is my own and subtract it from my lowly amount--ending my IS claim. Anyone familiar with how this works?

rogerblack · 25 August 2014 at 2:34PM

In general, your partners income counts as household income.
That of children does not.
Neither his DLA, or ESA should be listed as your household income.
It is irrelevant to your IS claim.

nannytone_2 · 25 August 2014 at 2:35PM

any income from a non dependant adult is ignored when calculating your entitlement.
as far as benefits are concerned you are 2 seperate households.
the only income that would affect you entitlement would be earned income or any income from a partner

Aionic · 25 August 2014 at 3:23PM

Thanks, both of you. Made me feel a little more sane/better.

I do have one last question, though: since everything happened at once (my PIP award, IS recalculation based on disability premium AND an IS review form...), I also received an 'IS10' Severe Disability Premium form. It was sent at the same time as the review form, to a different place. The form asked if anyone was living with, who they are, if they get DLA, at what rate and how much they pay per month towards rent / for food. I was honest and put a quarter of his monthly total for food... which is the same amount listed as weekly income on the IS review form.

Q: How would this monthly food total be used as far as my IS goes? Your replies suggest it would also be disregarded based on it being non-dependent income. I mean, they must surely expect some money to be given... or at least that's what I was thinking at the time. But giving an exact figure/them wanting to know an exact figure... why would they ask otherwise?

nannytone_2 · 25 August 2014 at 3:33PM

yjr amount your son gives towards food has no bearing on your IS entitlment.
the severe disability premium is usually only paid to people on qualifying benefits that live alone, but because your son is also disabled you will receive it.
it is also ignored when it comes to working out your IS entitlement

allen35 · 25 August 2014 at 7:13PM

Your son will be entitled to a severe disability premium too now you are in receipt of PIP.

Call the benefit dep't and request an IS10 on his behalf.

kittykat17 · 25 August 2014 at 10:49PM

allen35 wrote: »

Your son will be entitled to a severe disability premium too now you are in receipt of PIP.

Call the benefit dep't and request an IS10 on his behalf.

If the OP receives Carer's Allowance then the son wouldn't qualify for SDP.

allen35 · 26 August 2014 at 2:28AM

Thanks Kitty for bringing this up.

OP doesn't mention Carer's Allowance in her posts but does mention she is the main carer.

If Carer's Allowance is being paid it may be best to consider cancelling the CA which gives an extra £34.20 per week as a Carer's Premium and applying for SDP which would increase income by £61.10 for both.

This is based on only the mother and son living in the property without any non dependents.

Income Support Review Form + Appointee

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