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advice needed I am confused
- By sootyconnor
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Wed 6 Feb 2008 13:08
Hi I am new to the site. Basically my son and I were advised by his psychiatrist to apply for Disability Living Allowance for him. He was recently ill and was in a Mental Health Unit for 5 weeks. They thought it was schizophrenia at first but they are thinking he has perhaps bipolar. He had a âpsychotic episode'
He has just this morning been notified that he has been awarded the Lower Rate of £17.10 per week until 2009 and a Care component (middle rate) of £46.85 a week. until 2009.
He has been getting income support of £46.85 per week (which is paid to his post office account every fortnight)
2 questions really
He is asking me if this award is paid on top of his £46.85 per week
Does he need to inform income support about his DLA awardand
Would it be worth me claiming Carers Allowance ( a friend mentioned that I could get this if my son was awarded the middle or higher rate) Obviously I want to claim for anything which I am entitled to but I am confused about my other income (below) and if it would affect it. I really am clueless about this. HELP !
At the moment I also get the
lower rate Mobility component of £17.75 per week
Incapacity Benefit of £81.35
and Income support top up of £3.05 per weekI have osteoarthritis in my hands and that's why I'm getting it.
I would really appreciate some advice. Thanks.
Sooty
Replies
- By Tricia
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Re: advice needed I am confused
Wed 6 Feb 2008 14:23sounds like you need to contact your dss to inform them of the change of circumstances also ask for a benefit check and that way they will be able to identify if you qualify for the carers allowance.
- By welfare
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Re: advice needed I am confused
Wed 6 Feb 2008 14:48Regarding your son - the DLA is paid on top of his Income Support and he should inform Income Support as he may be entitled to more benefit (disability premium and/or severe disability premium).
As you are in receipt of Incapacity Benefit at a higher rate than Carers Allowance, then if you claimed Carers Allowance you would only be entitled to the additional premium of £27.15 per week and therefore your son would retain his Severe Disability Premium, if awarded.
My advice would be to get in touch with your local Welfare Rights office or Citizens Advice Bureau for a Benefit Check as, in my experience, the DWP aren't good at telling you what you're entitled to and tend to only explain benefits you ask them about.
- By sootyconnor
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Re: advice needed I am confused
Wed 6 Feb 2008 15:32Thanks very much for your swift replies. I am much clearer now. Gosh, the system is too complicated for my poor old brain!
Thank goodness for helpful sites like this one. I really appreciate your help.
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By BOB
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Re: advice needed I am confused
Thu 7 Feb 2008 11:37Think they make it complicated on purpose
- By loopy
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Re: advice needed I am confused
Thu 7 Feb 2008 21:25Its very annoying and very confusing!!
. They give you something in one hand but deduct something from somewhere else!! and they have great delight in telling you that you have been overpaid! You have to be really careful and read the small print when filling in benefit forms. I get really scared when i have to fill in these forms in case i get anything wrong. Filling my daughters DLA form in was like writing a novel!! 
- By kerry
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Re: advice needed I am confused
Fri 8 Feb 2008 18:27ya know that when its time to reapply for dla etc, u can request a photo copy of the last form u did. Or keep a photo copy yourself- it makes life so much easier if u know wot u wrote last time, u can also see if there is any worsening or improvement in the caree.
Kerry
- By sootyconnor
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Re: advice needed I am confused
Fri 8 Feb 2008 18:57Thanks for the info Kerry.
I did photocopy his DLA form. I usually do with important things ( if I remember to do it )sooty
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