Incapacity benefit

[Scarlett]

I have had a letter to say I am entitled to incapacity benefit (with sick note from Doctor) - do you know if I am entitled to claim anything else whilst on this, for example, council tax benefit? I can't work at the moment. Thanks

[LoftyLottie]

I don't think it's cut and dried and it depends on individual cases and your personal circumstances.

Your local Job Centre should be able to confirm what extra benefits might be available to you and give you the necessary forms, or at least point you in the right direction. It isn't easy!

I wish you well.

[mrs_overall]

It depends on your circumstances.
You may be able to claim income support as well as IB.
You may also be able to claim housing benefit and council tax benefit depending on your income, savings & circumstances.

http://www.rnib.org.uk/xpedio/groups/public/do cuments?PublicWebsite/public_incapacity_benefi t.hcsp

It's an RNIB website but has the relevant info.

[natalie_1982]

Maybe this website might help:
http://www.entitledto.co.uk/

[Rosetta]

Incapacity Benefit is non means tested, Council Tax Benefit and Income support are both mens tested so would depend on your circumstances. The other benefit you might be entitled to is Disability Living Allowance if your incapacity has been longer term.
Get CAB to do a benefits check for you ( lol, anybody would think I am on commission with CAB, I suggest them so frequently)

[mrs_overall]

Rosetta, you are wrong about Incapacity Benefit not being means tested.
My sister was receiving IB for a while and had the amont reduced because she has a small occupational pension.

[mrs_overall]

*amount*

[Ethel]

Incapacity benefit isn't means tested - your spouse could be a millionaire, you could be a millionaire and still get it.

However, if you are in receipt of a pension, that may be taken into account:

If a person's entitlement to Incapacity Benefit starts on or after 6 April 2001, her/his benefit may be reduced if s/he receives one of the following at over �85 gross per week:
personal pension;
occupational pension;
public service pension;
bullet
permanent health insurance arranged by an employer which provides payments in connection with ill health or disability after her/his employment ends.
If s/he contributed more than 50 per cent of the premiums, the amount s/he receives from this pension will be ignored.

[LoftyLottie]

Rosetta is correct. Incapacity Benefit itself is not means tested, but is dependent on NI contribution history and the level. Perhaps another benefit your sister was claiming on top of Incapacity Benefit was lost because of her pension so it looked as if her IB had been reduced, Mrs Overall.

http://www.askcab.co.uk/money_site/mINCA.asp.

My friend has just been told she cannot claim IB as she hasn't paid sufficient contributions in the relevant qualifying period.

However, the new rules will come into effect come October, so perhaps everything will change.

[LoftyLottie]

Ethel has put it so much better than me!

[mrs_overall]

Thanks for putting me straight there Ethel.
It is so blooming unfair that a millionaire can claim it yet my poor sister had hers reduced (before they stopped it) because she has a small occupational pension.

[Rosetta]

The system has been very unfair to your sister Mrs Overall

[mrs_overall]

I know, Rosetta.
As you know from my post on the subject, we're having a battle but I'm sure we'll get there in the end. xx

[LoftyLottie]

I so agree with you Mrs Overall. My poor friend, who has cancer, can't claim it, as I said, because her NI contributions weren't enough. They weren't enough because she had been made redundant and then had to have a long course of chemo and didn't think to claim any benefits during the time she wasn't working (to keep her NI contributions up). So now she can't claim anything at all, despite working years and years, because her husband earns too much!!

[LoftyLottie]

Hope you forgive us discussing this on here Scarlett. However, it should help you.

[LoftyLottie]

It just strikes me that the average working person who pays in to the system without complaining for years and years is the loser when it comes to needing help.

[mrs_overall]

Awww Lottie, that's awful.
The more I hear about genuine cases the more I want to weep.
When I look around at all the shirkers with "bad backs" who get Incapacity Benefit (whilst working on the side as builders/gardeners etc) the more my blood boils.

[bednobs]

lol ethel i note that those that receive a "bullet" on your list also have thei ib reduced

[Rtaxron]

Interesting post.

Can you claim Incapacity Benefit if you are on Pension Credit?

[LoftyLottie]

I have one of those 'shirkers' living next door to me Mrs O!!
Chronic Arthritis and hobbles around when out in town and doing a good job of rebuilding his house and climbing up ladders sawing down trees whilst at home.

[mrs_overall]

Rtaxron - you can only claim if you were under State Pension age when you became ill.

Scarlet - apologies for hijacking your post.