Hi, I'mHay_44! My partner suffers with psoriasis, is he entitled to any benefits?

Hay_44

Hello everyone I'm new here.

durhamjaide2001

Hi @Hay_44 my name is Jaide and I'm a member of Scope hoping to work or volunteer on this forum. I'm usually hang out in coffee lounge on a morning and I help give a friendly face to the community as well. Do you have any questions? 

Hay_44

Hello I'm writing on behalf of my partner he suffers badly with psoriasis it's really bad to the point it bleeds he doesn't work and he doesn't claim anything as he was self employed and he fell behind with his stamp duty due to not be in work as he was in a bad way with his skin I was wondering if he was able to claim anything as we are really struggling with money 

durhamjaide2001

I think you would be able to claim Carer's allowance and your partner will probably be  able to claim PIP.  However if you call Scope's helpline on 0808 800 3333 or email [email protected] they should be able to help you further. 

janer1967

Hi there 

You can only claim carers allowance if the person yoy care for is getting the daily living component of pip or dla and you don't earn over the earnings limit 

He wimont be entitled to new style esa if he hasn't paid ni contributions 

He maybe entitled to uc bug this is means tested and you need to claim as a couple . So if you work thus could reduce entitlement 

As mentioned pip is a possibility but look at the descriptors first to see if they apply 

The best way to see what you could be entitled to is to complete a benefits calculator found on gov website 

If he does claim uc then report the medical condition supported by fit note as this could result in him being found not fit to work and pay additional money as well as meaning he won't be required to look for work 

poppy123456

durhamjaide2001 said:

I think you would be able to claim Carer's allowance and your partner will probably be  able to claim PIP. 

That's misleading. Carers allowance can only be claimed if the partner is either claiming PIP daily living, DLA mid/high rate care or Attendance Allowance for theirself. The partner that does the caring must not be earning more than £132/week.

Hay_44 said:

Hello I'm writing on behalf of my partner he suffers badly with psoriasis it's really bad to the point it bleeds he doesn't work and he doesn't claim anything as he was self employed and he fell behind with his stamp duty due to not be in work as he was in a bad way with his skin I was wondering if he was able to claim anything as we are really struggling with money 

Universal Credit maybe possible but it will depend on your joint circumstances. As it's a means tested benefit you'll need to claim as a couple. If you have savings/capital of more than £16,000 then you're excluded from claiming.

You should use a benefits calculator to check entitlement or speak to an advice agency near you for a full benefits check. https://www.entitledto.co.uk/benefits-calculator/Intro/Home?cid=5f1b0f59-61c1-4e07-8fa6-2c2aedd31704 If there's any entitlement to UC your partner should report their health condition and then send a fit note within 7 days of that. This will then start the work capability assessment process off. See link. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/universal-credit-if-you-have-a-disability-or-health-condition-quick-guide/universal-credit-if-you-have-a-disability-or-health-condition

You can also look at claiming PIP for them. https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/pip/ it's not means tested so other income/savings do not affect the amount you maybe entitled to. It's not awarded based on any diagnosis, it's how those conditions affect you against the 12 PIP activities. https://pipinfo.net/

Hay_44

Thank you so much for your advice we are looking into pip hopefully we can get some help we are really struggling at the moment.

Cher_Alumni

Hello @Hay_44 and a belated welcome from me, how's this Friday treated you? Good, I hope!

I wondered if you'd taken a look at the resources provided by Poppy and tried the benefits calculator? If so, have you more of an idea about your eligibility for UC and PIP?

Things sound tough for you both at the minute and I hope your husband is getting good care with his psoriasis from his GP or medical team.

Please keep us posted with how you get on and you know where we are should you ever need more support.

FYI: I've also amended the title of your thread and moved it to our Benefits and financial support category to help others find it and reply.

Take care. 

Hay_44

I phoned pip and they are sending me out forms hopefully we can get some help I will keep you updated on our progress thank you everyone for your support 

chiarieds

Hi @Hay_44 - after looking through the PIP links that poppy gave above, your partner could try keeping a diary for a week or so to identify where he's having problems (so often we just cope not recognising where we need help, even if we don't get it).

With his PIP claim form he should then give a couple of recent, detailed examples as to the difficulty he faces for each applicable descriptor, i.e. when did it happen, where, what happened, did anyone see this, & were there any consequences to attempting/doing an activity?
Say if he can't do an activity 'reliably,' i.e. safely, to an acceptable standard, repeat as often as one would reasonably expect, or if it takes him much longer than someone without a disability.
Just complete a few questions at a time, & you can always add extra pages at the end. Just ensure he puts his name & National Insurance number on each page. He can also ring the PIP enquiry line on 0800 121 4433 to ask for extra time to complete the form, & will be given another 2 weeks without question. 

Keep a copy of everything 'just in case,' & get a free Certificate of Posting from the Post Office when sending the form off.

calcotti

Hay_44 said:

I phoned pip and they are sending me out forms hopefully we can get some help I will keep you updated on our progress thank you everyone for your support 

You may find this helpful when completing the form
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/pip/help-with-your-claim/fill-in-form-pip/

This (long) document explains exactly how PIP is assessed and how points are awarded.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/personal-independence-payment-assessment-guide-for-assessment-providers/pip-assessment-guide-part-2-the-assessment-criteria