Income support not enough to live on help

[byteme2386]

This is a question on behalf of my mother in law.......
She has been recieveing income support for the past few years with a disability premium as she has fibromyalgia and has a 20 year old daughter, who up until this week has been classed as a dependant child, now she has turned 20 and left college she is classed as a non dependant, as a result of this my mother in laws benefits has been cut down from £170 a week to £86 a week, and the council tax and housing benefit requires an extra £10 a week due to her daughter still living there.

If her daughter moves out she would not have to pay the extra on housing and council tax but has an outgoing of £75 a week just on bills which leaves her with £10 a week for food, clothing andthing else etc.

If her daughter stays she has the extra £10 a week to pay as she is currently earning less than £111 a week but will soon be undertaking full time employment and it may well go up to her having to pay an extra £60 a week for housing and council tax.

I think that it is ridiculous my mother in law only recieving £86 a week and she can never live alone which means her daughter cannot move out.

We have tried to apply for DLA but had i refused.

Has anyone got any ideas?

any suggestions would be grately appreciated

[forgottenone]

Hello. On what grounds did they refuse you DLA? And, as she has a recognised long term illness eg fibromyalgia ... have you tried for IB at all?

If her daughter is also living there, your mother in law may/could be entitled to carer's allowance if she becomes her main carer.

[forgottenone]

This may also help you in making a claim to the DWP for IB and DLA ... www.fibromyalgia-associationuk.org - Fibromyalgia is Real

[byteme2386]

She cannot get IB because she has not made enough contributions or something.

We are going to apply for DLA again as it was a while since she was refused it. But we are told this could take months and months

[forgottenone]

Yes, but they must give a reason for refusing DLA. Fibromylagia, as you will likely know already, is a recognised medical condition falling into the benefits category.

I think that it is ridiculous my mother in law only recieving £86 a week and she can never live alone which means her daughter cannot move out.

Who has instructed you, as there is plenty of evidence from your post along she should be receiving DLA, carers component ... as she cannot live alone ...

Because I'd suggest they aren't given you the full picture. Ie what you can and should be elligible to claim for.

CAB won't be much good in this instance, as you need someone with expert knowledge of the benefits system, particularly on this condition/disability ... you could try an advocacy centre in your region? They will take your case, speak on your behalf, challenge things.

[forgottenone]

Also, as fibromylagia affects mobility ... I honestly don't see any reason behind you being refused.

[poppynurse]

There are varying degrees of fibromyalgia. But it is worth applying for DLA again. You say MIL can never live alone - is she that bad? Defo apply for DLA again.

Sounds like Daughter will have to contribute to household from her earnings.

With housing benefit and council tax benefit - MIL should still be entitled but may have to make a contribution, even when daughter in full time work.

[adamrao]

Originally Posted by poppynurse

There are varying degrees of fibromyalgia. But it is worth applying for DLA again. You say MIL can never live alone - is she that bad? Defo apply for DLA again.

Sounds like Daughter will have to contribute to household from her earnings.

With housing benefit and council tax benefit - MIL should still be entitled but may have to make a contribution, even when daughter in full time work.

Poppy Nurse

Some important tips -

I know people who have fibromyalgia and got DLA. First of all when filling the DLA form you need to mention each and single difficulty she is having due to illness even moving neck, turning around, turning and tossing etc. Please do not ignore any situation which she has to struggle with pain.

I believe she can qualify for at least low rate mobility and lower rate care. Does she need help with dressing.undresing, bathing, washing and drying herself, getting around in doors and is she okay preparing a meal for herself. The question about preparing a meal is called 'cooking test', if she falls in one of the cooking test catagories i.e. problem with planning and measuring ingrediants and/or needs motivation or encouragement and/or problems coping with hot pans and at risk of injuring herself while perfarming cooking task with pain.

Most of the times the information provided by your GP can result into refusal - reason: in most of the cases GP doesn't know about how you cope with day to day things at home (I dont blame GPs) so make sure you tell everthing to your GP when you have an appointment. Same is the case with hospital doctors. GPs or Doctors cant always remember you and your illness and they consult with your surgery file(s). When you see GP please tell him/her about the difficulties you are experiencing due to illness, at least s/he would have some record that your illness is really causing difficulties. Otherwise the option 'unknown' will be circuled by your GP when Disability Services send GP a form to fill.

If not sure about any question in DLA form seek help from professional like CAb or Welfare Rights.

One she is awarded DLA (care comp.) then there will be no non-dep deductions from housing and council tax benefit.

Good Luck to her.

[xxorlsxx]

Hi,
If you go to your local CAB they can do a benefits check for you and deal
with writing or contacting the relevent people for you.

[sweetnsexyenglish]

Originally Posted by forgottenone

Also, as fibromylagia affects mobility ... I honestly don't see any reason behind you being refused.

Just a piece of info I was given by my local CAB, I applied for DLA and was turned down, an advisor saw my letter and stated the majority of DLA are turned down, they want to see you appeal before paying it to you sort of like to see how desperate you are for the benefit, I know this sounds bad but it was what the advisor said. His words not mine.

He also stated sometimes they even pick up on things you haven't told them yourself that would qualify you for DLA but will still turn it down just so you will appeal and as most dont appeal they dont pay them.

Go figure but if you have applied and been turned down appeal the decision.

Good Luck.

PS if you want to confirm what I said I'd be more than happy to supply the advisors name and the number of the CAB.

[surprise]

Unfortunately the system for receiving DLA stinks, basically. My daughter after having a breakdown was told to apply for DLA. The Ward Clerk filled the form in for her at the hospital she attended. This was turned down. She applied again and was again turned down. Her CPN was disgusted as she said she had patients with lesser problems and was receiving DLA so she completed the form and got DLA. She now receives it indefinately. So I would say keep on trying. It appears to be on how you answer the questions, as already stated in a previous post, make sure you not everything problem, even if you think it is a simple thing she needs help with.

good luck.

[Zamzara]

Originally Posted by forgottenone

CAB won't be much good in this instance, as you need someone with expert knowledge of the benefits system, particularly on this condition/disability .

It really varies a lot. Some CABs have welfare case workers, and if not some general advisers will be very knowledgeable and others not.

[emmaf01]

Local councils have a welfare rights officer who can help you apply or appeal. Their specialist advice is exemplary and have helped me appeal successfully a decision to stop my IB and also applied and re-applied for DLA.

I can't recommend them highly enough.