Incapacity Benefit/Council Tax/DLA

sharmaine

Hi everyone

I've been receiving Incapacity Benefit since last September - it's now called ESA (I think). My next medical assessment will be in December. My questions are as follows:
a) Do you have to apply again after a year?
b) Anyone else on Incapacity Benefit - have you claimed Council Tax benefit?
c) As my condition deteriorates should I claim for DLA? I know I'll need 2 TKR, however, when that will happen I don't know. My condition is certainly worse than it was last year.

I find all of this very confusing. It'll be a year next month since I've been on IB and really wonder what happens next?

I look forward to your help/advice.

Sharmaine

airwave

Hi,
The government certainly don't help matters for those that are not fully able, with the extraordinary amount and type of questions for these applications.

b/ Council Tax discount information is all on-line.
c/ The answer to your question is:- if you need DLA, then claim for it.

I have seen reports that the government has a white paper out and that it will take away the care component of DLA and give the funds to one of its departments to administer. More forms and more intrusive questions. But then the Conservatives will be in by then and it'll all change.

8) Its a grin, honest!

topcatt

Hello

Well I am not sure of the current rules but as far as I am aware you don't have to re-apply for IB they will send you a letter either asking you to fill in another IB(ESA50) and if they think it necessary they will call you in for another medical. If you can get any supporting evidence from your medical team that is a great help and although Atos say send them no supporting evidence you should send it to the office dealing with you claim - always make sure that anything you send has your name and NINO on it as this is how they identify you. As for DLA you can always apply as this is not dependent on any other benefits your receive. The same goes for Council/Housing benefit as they are means tested and so depend on your total income and savings so again always worth applying cos they can only say No. Hope this is of some help to you but there is a brilliant website called benefits and work which gives excellent advice about benefits etc., Take care and good luck xx

sharmaine

Thanks Topcat

Very helpful advice. I was reluctant to try to claim for DLA because of being on IB (ESA). I'll certainly pursue the council benefit side of things.

I sometimes cannot understand our government. If a system works efficiently and the public are happy with it why change it? It also causes immense confusion, especially for those less able or elderly.
It is expensive, time consuming etc. I wonder for the sake of argument, how much it costs them to put in new computer systems (millions?); train staff on new systems; new publications; press releases; new forms etc etc? It must run into millions. Is the tax we all paid in our past employment just wasted so that someone in government with a good idea has to make changes for the sake of change? Does this person get an extra bonus payment for coming up with an expensive idea? Who knows???? Sorry for the rant - I just think it is all a nonsense. If it works why change it?

I really appreciate your advice and will check everything out.

Sharmaine