October change in way csa and income support interact.

[stardust_john]

Hi, I received letter yesterday stating simply that from October the way the csa pays me is changing. Previously childrens other parent would pay to csa and Income support would obviously take this and I would be paid the correct ammount relevant to single parent and two children and of course my dla entitlement.

Now in October apparantly the csa pay the money direct to me and I have to inform income support of ammount and changes. At the time of writing this there seems no problem I should worry about, but I am not always on top of things depending on how my illness affects me. When ill bills that are direct debs etc go out and other concerns have to wait till Im on top of things again. I get confused easy and have problems with my memory due to epilepsy.

I have heared here how easy it is to get on the wrong side of dwp with information and wonder is there any way I could ask them to leave it the way it is in my circumstance or at least put a note on my file that I am vulnerable, so if overypay or underpay at least deal with it with compassion or discression in a way I wont end up panicking like hell, which happens, I just couldnt do with the stress.

They have always been fair with me and I have no problems now, but I wonder do they have any protection for people like me with attatched mental issues. I just really think if they no offence fluffed the ammounts and later said well you should have known, I cant promise that I would, not always with it if you know what I mean. But I cant control the panic once it starts so try and prevent it now. I realise Im a pain in the bot, but thats me

[emmaf01]

It might be an idea to involve your local council welfare rights officer. They are usually part of the social services department and are great for liasing between disabled people and the DWP.

When the DWP tried to send me for a medical, even though as I get higher rate care DLA and therefore should not be sent for an IB medical (apparently), my welfare rights officer got in touch with them, got them to admit their mistake (no mean feat) and I got a letter from the DWP stating that they had put a note on my file so this wouldn't happen again.

That was the part where I could have hugged my welfare rights officer!

So, its worth a try.

[stardust_john]

Thanks emmaf01 I'll do that when they contact me again. I also get higher rate and notice a lot of the panic is caused by the repeated letters of what they will change and we'll hear soon and then nothing happens. Later they send another letter stating soon entitled to hold onto certain ammount of csa money and they'll be in touch and nothing till next letter. I know I shouldnt worry but the fact the letters keep changing and they never carry it out causes the confusion. As I say I'll contact welfare rights as I also have to reapply for dla soon and am seeing consultant so will destress I hope,thanks again . x