I hope someone may be able to help me. I have been working in a high pressure job for 18 years, Im a 34 yr old mum of three and care for my mum who is suffers mental health and is disabled following a stroke. My partner who I live with works 30 hours a week self employed and brings home around £100 per week. I have recently lost my job and have increased the time I spend looking after my my mum. I have applied for JSA but not sure this is the right thing to do under the circumstances as mum seems to be more reliant on me now than ever (part of the reason I lost my job). I have looked into carers allowance as mum receives the higher rate DLA and Income support but this would mean she would lose her Income support which isnt an option as we have spent a long time helping her to budget her finances as they are now. I have got lost in websites and .gov info but cant seem to get any straight answers on what help we may be able to get. Can anyone relate ?
↧
Question re Income Support / Carer help
↧
Applying for DLA process?
Ok i know the process of ESA...
-firstly, applying by phone, answering questions
-checking details are correct when sent confirmation through post
-sending sick note
-filling off and sending atos medical questionnaire
-going to atos and being rejected (benefit stopping)
-appealing and heading towards tribunal (benefit re-starting)
-going to tribunal and being rejected (re-applying from scratch)
-or been awarded esa and on wrag.
so whats the process of DLA? is it exactly the same as ESA?
-firstly, applying by phone, answering questions
-checking details are correct when sent confirmation through post
-sending sick note
-filling off and sending atos medical questionnaire
-going to atos and being rejected (benefit stopping)
-appealing and heading towards tribunal (benefit re-starting)
-going to tribunal and being rejected (re-applying from scratch)
-or been awarded esa and on wrag.
so whats the process of DLA? is it exactly the same as ESA?
↧
↧
Repercussions of closing ESA claim in favour of Pension Credits.
Hi
I'm new here and have searched a bit but can't find the answer I need, sorry if I'm repeating though :o
My husband is nearly 62 and was, til recently, on long-term Incapacity Benefit, and has also been receiving Pension Credits since last summer. He's been assessed (on paper only) for ESA and put in the work related group, which has upset me :mad:. He has severe Arthritis of his major joints which has been getting worse for the last 5 years to the point where I had to stop work to care for him. He also has a bad tremor and severe Depression.
I rang the Pension Credits team and asked if we could simply stop my husband's claim to ESA and have the money made up by the pension credits. They said yes, and advised we do it. However, my husband was suspicious that this was too simple. I then rang the Job Centre Plus for advice and they strongly advised against doing this :(. They claimed he would have to state that he was no longer unfit for work in order to stop his ESA claim, and "if Pension Credits is ever abolished he'll be in a difficult position" :eek:.
So what I really, deperately need to know, is who is right. What are the legal or other implications of stopping his ESA claim?. Will this impact on his DLA?. Will he be considered 'fit for work' in other scenarios?. Will Pension Credits likely be abolished?. I'm so confused, and only have a month if I want to appeal against the ESA decision to stick my husband in the work related group.
My husband can't even manage steps, the council moved us into a sheltered bunagalow with alarm system. He walks with 2 crutches and can't walk on slopes or hills. He can't sit in 'normal' chairs. He takes painkillers at night because the pain wakes him. He's occasionally incontinent. He has 'substantial' needs according to a recent Adult Services report, and as I say, is 62 and already in receipt of Pension Credit. The extra worry is just what we didn't need.
Any advice would be hugely appreciated :).
I'm new here and have searched a bit but can't find the answer I need, sorry if I'm repeating though :o
My husband is nearly 62 and was, til recently, on long-term Incapacity Benefit, and has also been receiving Pension Credits since last summer. He's been assessed (on paper only) for ESA and put in the work related group, which has upset me :mad:. He has severe Arthritis of his major joints which has been getting worse for the last 5 years to the point where I had to stop work to care for him. He also has a bad tremor and severe Depression.
I rang the Pension Credits team and asked if we could simply stop my husband's claim to ESA and have the money made up by the pension credits. They said yes, and advised we do it. However, my husband was suspicious that this was too simple. I then rang the Job Centre Plus for advice and they strongly advised against doing this :(. They claimed he would have to state that he was no longer unfit for work in order to stop his ESA claim, and "if Pension Credits is ever abolished he'll be in a difficult position" :eek:.
So what I really, deperately need to know, is who is right. What are the legal or other implications of stopping his ESA claim?. Will this impact on his DLA?. Will he be considered 'fit for work' in other scenarios?. Will Pension Credits likely be abolished?. I'm so confused, and only have a month if I want to appeal against the ESA decision to stick my husband in the work related group.
My husband can't even manage steps, the council moved us into a sheltered bunagalow with alarm system. He walks with 2 crutches and can't walk on slopes or hills. He can't sit in 'normal' chairs. He takes painkillers at night because the pain wakes him. He's occasionally incontinent. He has 'substantial' needs according to a recent Adult Services report, and as I say, is 62 and already in receipt of Pension Credit. The extra worry is just what we didn't need.
Any advice would be hugely appreciated :).
↧
Childs saturday job and benefits?
If a school child gets a part time job would this affect their parents benefits? (JSA HB CTB).
↧
Esa, other experiences and needing a week off.
I have my first interviw in the 10th and although i want to push my self and see how i get on i'm v.worried. I do not want to become v.ill again and be pushed into things im not ready for. I also have a very important trip to make in June and will need a week for it. Its not a holiday but it is personal (although i am worried about whether or not i could do it at all). Will i be able to keep this week and will i pushed to do things im not ready for and lose money...and become even more ill. Thanks for reading.
↧
↧
decision after wca
hi
does anyone have experience of how long once you have had your medical assesment to them making decision and informing you?
such a worrier and keep thinking they will do it instantly lol. i have a habit of needing to work everything out so was just wondering. thankyou
does anyone have experience of how long once you have had your medical assesment to them making decision and informing you?
such a worrier and keep thinking they will do it instantly lol. i have a habit of needing to work everything out so was just wondering. thankyou
↧
Housing Benefit: Renting to a Relative.
If I rented my flat to a niece or nephew, would they be eligible for Housing Benefit in respect of the rent paid to me?
I would not be staying at the flat.
The flat is situated in the area covered by Glasgow City Council
I would not be staying at the flat.
The flat is situated in the area covered by Glasgow City Council
↧
carers allowance
my brother gets carers allowance as he is the main carer for my father,as Dad has gone downhil(dementia, mobility issues and urine incontinence)he really needs a carer at night,is it possible for my brother in law to also claim an allowance as he would be Dads 'night' carer
TIA
TIA
↧
self assessment bill after checked return
Hello everyone bit of advice needed..I am a bricklayer and I have been the subject of a self assessment check for the year 2011/2012.i do my returns online myself.
After providing the hmrc with all my receipts etc the guy dealing with is it has reduced the amount i received back and as a result has also amended my 2010/2011 return to suit.
He has asked me to pay just over £2000 by payment on account,What does this mean?I will pay this money but I am not in a financial position to pay this amount in full as i have a mortgage and kids to support,What are my options? I am ringing the guy tomorow to discuss this i just wanted some advice before i speak to him.
Thanks
After providing the hmrc with all my receipts etc the guy dealing with is it has reduced the amount i received back and as a result has also amended my 2010/2011 return to suit.
He has asked me to pay just over £2000 by payment on account,What does this mean?I will pay this money but I am not in a financial position to pay this amount in full as i have a mortgage and kids to support,What are my options? I am ringing the guy tomorow to discuss this i just wanted some advice before i speak to him.
Thanks
↧
↧
JSA and working
Hi everyone
Currently I am at college 4 days a week and I work every Saturday and Sunday (works out roughly about 16 hours). I've just found out that my last bursary payment will be the 22nd May and I've applied to do the next level of the course in September. My work won't give me anymore hours so is it possible to get JSA or something similar to help during those few months that I'm not at college? I have been looking for another job for a while now as don't like where I am at the moment but no luck. Hopefully something comes up for those months but as a just in case I'm wondering about JSA.
Thanks in advance :)
Currently I am at college 4 days a week and I work every Saturday and Sunday (works out roughly about 16 hours). I've just found out that my last bursary payment will be the 22nd May and I've applied to do the next level of the course in September. My work won't give me anymore hours so is it possible to get JSA or something similar to help during those few months that I'm not at college? I have been looking for another job for a while now as don't like where I am at the moment but no luck. Hopefully something comes up for those months but as a just in case I'm wondering about JSA.
Thanks in advance :)
↧
Terrified about possible mistake with Tax Credits
Hi all,
Will try to keep this brief while also including all the info needed. Figures are rounded to make this easier:
I applied for Tax Credits in April last year and they wanted my income for the 10/11 tax year. As I'd only been working for 1 week at that point after a long period unemployed, the amount, for the whole year was £112. So I got £2600-odd, spread out over the year, so around £52 a week.
Was looking into how my amount will change this coming tax year when I have to "renew" my claim. My current amount earned this tax year 12/13 will probably be around £12000, which means my tax credits will probably stop or be very low, which is annoying, but that's the way it works.
But my worry is that my P60 for 11/12 was £8500. I'm now terrified that this means I've been massively overpaid. I thought, perhaps wrongly, that they work out payments based on the previous tax year. So I've two quick questions -
1. Will my claim in April be based on the £8k I earned in 11/12, or the £12k I will have earned in 12/13?
2. If I ring them and they find out I earned £8k in 11/12, will they ask for the £2600 back?
Every single other thing about my claim is still valid and fine. No change in job, my hours have gone up if anything (still always well over 30 hours a week), no change in address, circumstances, had no kids, not got married, etc, etc. None of the usual things that cause issues.
Really worried as I've cleared over £9k of debt in the last 12 months. Now I'm worried I'll loose my tax credits, which I can live with, but more worried what I've been paid so far will have to be paid back.
Will try to keep this brief while also including all the info needed. Figures are rounded to make this easier:
I applied for Tax Credits in April last year and they wanted my income for the 10/11 tax year. As I'd only been working for 1 week at that point after a long period unemployed, the amount, for the whole year was £112. So I got £2600-odd, spread out over the year, so around £52 a week.
Was looking into how my amount will change this coming tax year when I have to "renew" my claim. My current amount earned this tax year 12/13 will probably be around £12000, which means my tax credits will probably stop or be very low, which is annoying, but that's the way it works.
But my worry is that my P60 for 11/12 was £8500. I'm now terrified that this means I've been massively overpaid. I thought, perhaps wrongly, that they work out payments based on the previous tax year. So I've two quick questions -
1. Will my claim in April be based on the £8k I earned in 11/12, or the £12k I will have earned in 12/13?
2. If I ring them and they find out I earned £8k in 11/12, will they ask for the £2600 back?
Every single other thing about my claim is still valid and fine. No change in job, my hours have gone up if anything (still always well over 30 hours a week), no change in address, circumstances, had no kids, not got married, etc, etc. None of the usual things that cause issues.
Really worried as I've cleared over £9k of debt in the last 12 months. Now I'm worried I'll loose my tax credits, which I can live with, but more worried what I've been paid so far will have to be paid back.
↧
Disability benefits, savings exceeding limit (exceptional circums.)
Hi all,
I need a little bit of help, advice or direction.
My brother is disabled and lives in a care home which do not have the ability to handle his funding. He lacks capacity to manage his own funding, so I have Court Of Protection to look after his money and benefits etc.
Now the problem is, during his previous care home (actually independent hospital) which managed his benefits and money, they didnt let him spend anything, didnt inform us that he had anything and we didnt know he was recieving regular benefits whilst at this placement. He was there 10yrs and it was never correctly explained to my mother, who for those 10yrs spent her own money paying for his toiletries, hair cuts, clothing, shoes, pocket money and buying him things like dvds, tvs etc.
The amount of money only came to light when he was moved to another care home after an incident and police/social investigation etc. It is only now after 3 years that we are beginning to resolve some of the smaller issues like the money and the police investigation into the home and its staff continues.
My brother currently has approx £36,000 in his name to date. The current social worker as told me the threashold they allow for savings is around £23,000 and that he will have to become self funding to pay for his care home.
That means £13,000 will be spent paying for the care home, it would take 10weeks to spend this money self funding his care. It is currently paid for by social and NHS with a small contribution taken from my brothers benefits each month.
Now without going into the full history, you can see my brother didnt realise or know, nor did we his family, that for 10yrs he was gaining increasing amounts of money. Now it appears he his going to loose £13k in a matter of weeks unless I can help him somehow. Ideally I would have liked to repay his mother for the money she spent over the years, which would resolve the problem nearly instantly but im not sure of legalities here.
I need help on what I can do, as you can see its exceptional circumstances in which this money was gained and how its come to light. I cannot reveal too much info due to on going police investigations.
Any help appricated, thank you in advance.
I need a little bit of help, advice or direction.
My brother is disabled and lives in a care home which do not have the ability to handle his funding. He lacks capacity to manage his own funding, so I have Court Of Protection to look after his money and benefits etc.
Now the problem is, during his previous care home (actually independent hospital) which managed his benefits and money, they didnt let him spend anything, didnt inform us that he had anything and we didnt know he was recieving regular benefits whilst at this placement. He was there 10yrs and it was never correctly explained to my mother, who for those 10yrs spent her own money paying for his toiletries, hair cuts, clothing, shoes, pocket money and buying him things like dvds, tvs etc.
The amount of money only came to light when he was moved to another care home after an incident and police/social investigation etc. It is only now after 3 years that we are beginning to resolve some of the smaller issues like the money and the police investigation into the home and its staff continues.
My brother currently has approx £36,000 in his name to date. The current social worker as told me the threashold they allow for savings is around £23,000 and that he will have to become self funding to pay for his care home.
That means £13,000 will be spent paying for the care home, it would take 10weeks to spend this money self funding his care. It is currently paid for by social and NHS with a small contribution taken from my brothers benefits each month.
Now without going into the full history, you can see my brother didnt realise or know, nor did we his family, that for 10yrs he was gaining increasing amounts of money. Now it appears he his going to loose £13k in a matter of weeks unless I can help him somehow. Ideally I would have liked to repay his mother for the money she spent over the years, which would resolve the problem nearly instantly but im not sure of legalities here.
I need help on what I can do, as you can see its exceptional circumstances in which this money was gained and how its come to light. I cannot reveal too much info due to on going police investigations.
Any help appricated, thank you in advance.
↧
Esa and Backdated Money
A friend of mine last year failed an atos medical and then won their appeal, The appeal was won on 07/01/13.
The friend is so far still being paid at the Assessment rate, So we was wondering how long does it usually take for the Dwp to increase it from the assessment rate, and to pay the backdated money.
We have phoned the Dwp but they just keep saying it takes time, last time they said it would be done by March.
The friend is so far still being paid at the Assessment rate, So we was wondering how long does it usually take for the Dwp to increase it from the assessment rate, and to pay the backdated money.
We have phoned the Dwp but they just keep saying it takes time, last time they said it would be done by March.
↧
↧
Working tax credits, employment topping up with self employment
I originally posted this in the wrong forum. The mods never moved it so I reposted in here.
I had a conversation with the WTC helpline... They confirmed I can top up my income by registering as self employed, and re-starting my business.
I work 8 hours in an office, due to disability. I cannot get more hours at work, and my Sick Certificate stops in April so will have to stop claiming ESA.
I used to run a semi-successful web design firm. Five years have passed since I closed that business, due to ill health; which caused my disability.
If I continue working eight hours, register as self employed and only work an AVERAGE of eight hours a week I can claim WTC with the disability element.
I checked and double checked that this is OK; it seems a bit too good to be true? He even said I don't have to make a profit from the business at first, as HMRC realise Business Start Ups lose money in the first couple of years. I just have to keep records of worked hours and expenditures and profits.
He even gave me advice of how to use Excel to achieve this (I know because I done it before but hey ho)!!
Is this right?? It just seems too good to be true.
I do get DLA and do conform to the disabled element rules too.
I had a conversation with the WTC helpline... They confirmed I can top up my income by registering as self employed, and re-starting my business.
I work 8 hours in an office, due to disability. I cannot get more hours at work, and my Sick Certificate stops in April so will have to stop claiming ESA.
I used to run a semi-successful web design firm. Five years have passed since I closed that business, due to ill health; which caused my disability.
If I continue working eight hours, register as self employed and only work an AVERAGE of eight hours a week I can claim WTC with the disability element.
I checked and double checked that this is OK; it seems a bit too good to be true? He even said I don't have to make a profit from the business at first, as HMRC realise Business Start Ups lose money in the first couple of years. I just have to keep records of worked hours and expenditures and profits.
He even gave me advice of how to use Excel to achieve this (I know because I done it before but hey ho)!!
Is this right?? It just seems too good to be true.
I do get DLA and do conform to the disabled element rules too.
↧
Self-Employment and claiming Tax Credits
:oHi, I work 28 hours/week, and my DH is Self-employed doing Gardening/HandyPerson/man with van. When we claimed Tax Credits, we put his hours down as 30/week. However due to the awful weather last year, the work dwindled away, to almost nothing. My DH obviously needed to bring in some money somehow, so started promoting himself as a mobile disco/dj, getting a few bookings for private parties, earning about £150 a time on average.
Should we have told HMRC about the change in business type, even though he is still self-employed, and his year end accounts will include combined income from any money he made with disco work and gardening work?
I never gave it a moments thought, as we are no better off, he is just trying to do whatever he can to bring in a bit more money, as we cannot afford to live off my wages alone, obviously. :o
Should we have told HMRC about the change in business type, even though he is still self-employed, and his year end accounts will include combined income from any money he made with disco work and gardening work?
I never gave it a moments thought, as we are no better off, he is just trying to do whatever he can to bring in a bit more money, as we cannot afford to live off my wages alone, obviously. :o
↧
first time jobseekers allowance
Hi ,
I am self elployed and have paid my NI for 35 years. i currently get tax credits of 65£ a week and my average income is currently £8000 PA.
for the first time i find myself with no work until at least end of May. I have no savings and am currently owed £1500 from a job then that is ALL I HAVE until next job. i am on a debt management scheme and my household outgoings (rent, council tax etc etc) is around £1000 a month, so as you can see i will have NO MONEY soon.
is it possible to claim jobseekers allowance until the time i work next or am i better just keeping the tax credit (theoretically i am in my office trying to get new contracts and publicizing , so i hope they will let me keep the credits.
i have never claimed before , not even sick pay so any help will be good
I am single
Thanks
I am self elployed and have paid my NI for 35 years. i currently get tax credits of 65£ a week and my average income is currently £8000 PA.
for the first time i find myself with no work until at least end of May. I have no savings and am currently owed £1500 from a job then that is ALL I HAVE until next job. i am on a debt management scheme and my household outgoings (rent, council tax etc etc) is around £1000 a month, so as you can see i will have NO MONEY soon.
is it possible to claim jobseekers allowance until the time i work next or am i better just keeping the tax credit (theoretically i am in my office trying to get new contracts and publicizing , so i hope they will let me keep the credits.
i have never claimed before , not even sick pay so any help will be good
I am single
Thanks
↧
esa entitlement when partner term time worker
Hi all,
Hope you can help - I have searched high and low for info on this scenario to no avail!
A relative of mine's entitlement to cb esa has just ended due to the 365 day rule (I won't even go into the mess the dwp made of this!). Their partner is a term time only worker, working 26 hours per week. Based on the rules on the face of it I imagine that as their partner works 26 hours they are not entitled to income related esa, however it seems so unfair considering on average they are working much fewer hours than this. I don't know how they'll both manage!
Has anybody come across this/has any advice?
Thanks!!
Hope you can help - I have searched high and low for info on this scenario to no avail!
A relative of mine's entitlement to cb esa has just ended due to the 365 day rule (I won't even go into the mess the dwp made of this!). Their partner is a term time only worker, working 26 hours per week. Based on the rules on the face of it I imagine that as their partner works 26 hours they are not entitled to income related esa, however it seems so unfair considering on average they are working much fewer hours than this. I don't know how they'll both manage!
Has anybody come across this/has any advice?
Thanks!!
↧
↧
ESA appeal. How long does it take?
I have now been without money since the 4th January and basically living off my parents who are both getting state pensions. I have been told I am not allowed to claim JSA (obviously as im Agoraphobic), not allowed to claim Income Support and my ESA was stopped as I am "fit for work". I've appealed against the decision but was wondering how long roughly does it take before I hear something? I can probably bet i'll be turned down again but where do I go from there? How long do I have to keep living off my parents? Surely im entitled to something?? I've had advice off the Citizens Advice and they just told me to keep appealing every single time im turned down. This could go on forever!
↧
Will we be "intentionally homeless"?
My partner, myself and my 16 month old are currently in a private rent 2 bed flat, we've been here a year now, and have now been allowed to move our contract onto a month to month rolling contract.
But ever since we took the flat, and more so the past 6 months, we have been living beyond our means (£500 rent and £200 council tax is a pain for 2 parents that work part time) we've got more money going out that coming in and our OD is slowly reaching it's limit.
The last month and next month are a little better due to no council tax. But it's safe to say if we had to pay council tax, our Overdraft limit would of been hit and would have no money at all, so we're always in our OD.
We've decided that we need out now and are thinking of giving our month notice in and moving back in with my partners mother, as it's the only option we have (Private 2 bed flats in my area are £450-£500 minimum, we can't afford move into another.) Her mother and her sister live in their 2 bed council flat and we'd essentially be moving into her living room.
After moving back into her mothers would we be able to claim homelessness on these grounds? Or would this be "intentionally homeless" ? We haven't got any arrears, our rent and council tax is paid, but if we don't move out then in a few months time that would be a different story. We are simply moving out before it's too late, or do councils rather you were completely screwed before helping?
Edit: We live in Glasgow, Scotland.
But ever since we took the flat, and more so the past 6 months, we have been living beyond our means (£500 rent and £200 council tax is a pain for 2 parents that work part time) we've got more money going out that coming in and our OD is slowly reaching it's limit.
The last month and next month are a little better due to no council tax. But it's safe to say if we had to pay council tax, our Overdraft limit would of been hit and would have no money at all, so we're always in our OD.
We've decided that we need out now and are thinking of giving our month notice in and moving back in with my partners mother, as it's the only option we have (Private 2 bed flats in my area are £450-£500 minimum, we can't afford move into another.) Her mother and her sister live in their 2 bed council flat and we'd essentially be moving into her living room.
After moving back into her mothers would we be able to claim homelessness on these grounds? Or would this be "intentionally homeless" ? We haven't got any arrears, our rent and council tax is paid, but if we don't move out then in a few months time that would be a different story. We are simply moving out before it's too late, or do councils rather you were completely screwed before helping?
Edit: We live in Glasgow, Scotland.
↧
ESA backpay
How long is reaasonable to wait for backpay following successful appeal? Its been nearly 3 weeks now. They've also not yet reistated my ESA rate.
↧