Benefits any help gratefully received

DennisB

Hi,

I have multiple health related disabilities, with heart disease, atrial fibrillation, angina, diabetes and pernicious anaemia. I have had a number of TIAs and this has led to problems with my memory, with brain fog and processing, and has led in turn to anxiety and depression. I am also a little deaf. I have medical diagnoses for each of these.

I receive a workplace pension of around £1k per month, but am just 61, so would like to work and need around twice this sum just to meet bills. I used to be a freelance writer, mostly ghostwriting memoirs for clients. But I had to stop this about 18 months ago because I could no longer maintain narrative or even remember what I was writing. My vocabulary is also much reduced. I became a funeral celebrant, and still take a couple of funerals a month, but a) this does not generate much income and b) I find I am making mistakes, which is clearly unacceptable. I find the entire process incredibly stressful as I get mixed up if I have more than one on the go at a time, get confused over which crematorium, dates and times (even though I diarise everything) and although I have met the families involved, once the funeral arrives I have no clue who is who. I cannot do physical work, or anything which requires a lot of cognitive processing, and become exhausted after an hour of any kind of work or activity, however sedentary. I have wondered about delivery driving, as I still drive, but do not think I could cope with long hours behind the wheel.

I'm pretty sure I don't qualify for UC, and applied for PIP but was turned down. Selling our house is a non starter because our daughters are both not well, one is autistic, she copes brilliantly but struggles badly with any kind of change, and the other we believe has long covid, and her confidence is shot to pieces. We support both, although they are young adults. We are basically living off savings and credit cards, and I wonder if anybody can advise whether I might qualify for any benefits, so I can stop work.

Any help or guidance very welcome.

DennisB

Kimi87

You could look at claiming New Style ESA, if eligible.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/new-style-employment-and-support-allowance

When were you turned down for PIP, and did you appeal the decision?

poppy123456

A claim for New style ESA would be based on your NI contributions in the last 2 tax years. However, as your pension is more than £85/week there will be a 50p/week deduction in the ESA for every £1 of pension over that amount so based on your pension there's going to be about £72ish per week deduction.

ESA is £90.50/week. Which will increase to £138.20/week from the 14th week of your claim, if placed into the Support Group.

For Universal Credit you mentioned "we" if you live with a partner you'll need to claim as couple and your joint circumstances will be taken into consideration. Your pension will be deducted in full. As you own your own home this means your maximum UC entitlement would only be £617.60/month if claiming with a partner. Which could increase by another £416/month if found to have LCWRA after the work capability assessment. With your pension reducing entitlement by £1,000 to start with. If your partner works that would also reduce entitlement. Including capital of more than £16,000 which would exclude you from claiming anyway.

If the decision on your PIP was made within the last 13 months you can challenge that decision, if you haven't started that process yet.

DennisB

Thanks to those who responded. Unfortunately, as a self employed person on a very low income, under 10k pa excluding my pension, I haven't paid NI for a while. Although I used to, and almost have enough years for the full state pension when I reach the age.

Given that it would only be £13 or so a week because of my pensions anyway, it does not seem worth the effort.

Our household income takes us above the UC threshold. If we were able, we would sell our home, and move to somewhere smaller (I cannot cope with it anyway, as I struggle with the stairs, and it is much too big) but because of our daughter's health, we just can't sell it yet. It would devastate her, and the consequences could be very serious.

Apparently, I didn't score any 'points' in my PIP application, although I was subjected to a two hour interview and generally can only concentrate for a short time, so I have no idea what I was asked or what I replied. Doesn't seem worth appealing, plus it requires huge energy and concentration, and sadly I have neither.

I've never applied for any benefit up until now, and it really seems as though the system is designed to assist people who meet a very narrow set of criteria.

Rather fed up…!

Kimi87

There are welfare rights organisations out there who can help support you through a PIP appeal.

https://advicelocal.uk/welfare-benefits

Many on the forum have gone from zero after assessment to Enhanced for both after an independent appeal tribunal hearing.

Have you tried applying for help with your Council Tax bill?

https://www.gov.uk/apply-council-tax-reduction

poppy123456

I know you said you don't have the energy or concentration to challenge the PIP decision but if that decision was less than 13 months ago then please think about it.

The first stage to appeal is the Mandatory Reconsideration. Although there's only about 24% chance of the decision changing at this stage.

For Tribunal the chance of success jumps up to about 69% providing you either have a telephone/video hearing or appear in person.

It has also been known for DWP to offer an award before the hearing takes place and there's a 24% chance of this happening.

Have you ever referred yourself for a needs assessment from your local Authority. If not you can do that here.

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/social-care-and-support-guide/help-from-social-services-and-charities/getting-a-needs-assessment/

DennisB

Thanks. I had a very long telephone interview at the initial stage. It left me shattered and feeling very ill. It's so frustrating, because prior to the mini strokes I was full of energy.

DennisB

Thanks Kimmy87 and Poppy123456 for the useful advice. Much appreciated.

DennisB