Sickness Benefit

malana-3 | 20:21 Fri 21st Aug 2009 | Law

2 Answers

My son had an accident, damaging his shoulder, and has been unable to work for 4 months. His firm do not pay during sickness so his only income is sick benefit. With no partner or dependants this amounts to about �68 per week. With outoings for mortgage, council tax and utilities etc.his savings are getting close to being exhausted. Are there anyother benefits he could claim as it would seem this situation could continue for some weeks. When he inquired at the benefit office he was asked if he had any equity in his property. If he had he should sell it and live on the proceeds. I'm not sure where he would be expected to live!!

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Richard1966

Thats appalling advice from the benefit office but unfortunately not uncommon. The value of the property that someone lives in is ignored for social security purposes. Of course if he has several properties their value will be taken into account.

We should be entitled to some council tax benefit immediately, apply to his local council. Other benefits however will be limited due to him being single and due to the of time he has been off. Help with mortgage interest takes time to kick in but if he is going to be away from work for a while longer he should make a claim for income support, this will probably be turned down but it registers a claim so that the clock can start to run for the mortgage interest to start. Other benefits only apply if the injury and inability to work is long term or permanent.

padanarm

Sounds like typical benefit office numpties. Clients are entitled to have savings below �6000 ignored.

He has a reduced income, he could apply for :

1.Working Tax Credits, on the basis that when he was working he worked a set number of hours so may be eligible. Contact HMRC.

2. Council Tax Benefit on the basis of low income, but this may be affected by any Working Tax Credit. Contact local authority.

3. Mortgage Interest Relief (through Income Support). There is a waiting period of 13 weeks but it could contribute to his monthly payments. Contact DWP.

Have you looked at the EntitledTo website?

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