Hi, my name is davegrass66!

davegrass66
davegrass66 Community member Posts: 6 Listener
in Start here and say hello!
i have had an accident at work in 2009 and broke my back, I ended up with cauda equina syndrome. I thank god I still can use my legs but they are numb. I have no control over the bladder or bowels dept and use a catheter to wee, I only poo one day a week which is a pain in the bum sorry lol I no longer work due to the loss of faculties. I find the benefits system a nightmare as on old style benefits and don't claim universal credit, can someone explain to me if I get contribution esa and income-related esa should I get housing benefits?  

Comments

  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Community member Posts: 59,054 Championing
    If you rent your home and you're not living with parents then you can claim for help with the rent. However, unless you're living in either supported or temporary housing then you can no longer claim housing benefit. 

    If you need help with the rent then you'll need to claim Universal Credit. This will then end any Income Related ESA after 2 weeks.
  • Hannah_Alumni
    Hannah_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 7,906 Championing
    @davegrass66 Welcome to the community! :) 

    I see Poppy has answered your query. The benefits system is a nightmare! Thank gosh we have amazing members here in the community. I hope the community can continue to be a great support for you :) 
  • davegrass66
    davegrass66 Community member Posts: 6 Listener
    I live in private rental since 2017 and never knew I got income related esa as well
  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Community member Posts: 59,054 Championing
    Even when claiming contributions based it would have been possible to claim for help with your rent at that time. You will need to claim UC now for help with that.

    Do you have any other income other than your ESA?
  • davegrass66
    davegrass66 Community member Posts: 6 Listener
    Yes dla Ind accidents 
  • davegrass66
    davegrass66 Community member Posts: 6 Listener
    What about cost of living payments if I was getting income ESA I got nothing? 
  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Community member Posts: 59,054 Championing

    davegrass66 said:
    Yes dla Ind accidents 
    Do you mean Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit? (IIDB) as well as DLA?

    davegrass66 said:
    What about cost of living payments if I was getting income ESA I got nothing? 

    That may mean that your ESA is all contributions based. If you're in the Support Group then contributions based is £129.50/week. Is that how much you receive? If part of it was Income Related then you would be receiving more than that.

  • davegrass66
    davegrass66 Community member Posts: 6 Listener
    No it says on my award from DWP that it’s both I get £250.00 every two weeks 
  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Community member Posts: 59,054 Championing
    That doesn’t suggest it’s mixture of both contributions based and Income Related. However, that’s below the rate for contributions based unless you’re receiving a pension of more than £85/week. 

    You didn’t answer this question when I asked what you meant by this?
    davegrass66 said:
    Yes dla Ind accidents 
    Do you mean you’re claiming Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit as well as DLA? 
  • davegrass66
    davegrass66 Community member Posts: 6 Listener
    Yes sorry £124.50 a week and dla care low and mobility high rate 
  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Community member Posts: 59,054 Championing
    edited July 2023
    Then your IIDB of £124.50/week will be classed as income for any income related ESA and reduce it £1 for £1. This will mean you have no entitlement to any Income Related ESA. Which is why you haven’t received any cost of living payments because your ESA is contributions based only.

    For help with any rent you will need to claim Universal Credit. However whether there’s any entitlement will depend on your circumstances. Your ESA and IIDB will be deducted in full from any UC entitlement. 

    You can use a benefits calculator to check to see if there’s any entitlement. https://www.entitledto.co.uk/benefits-calculator

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