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Hi, my name is oldmum!
oldmum
Member Posts: 1 Listener
My son suffered a shattered pelvis 6 weeks ago. His surgeon told us he will never be able to go back to his job as a chef, and the restaurant he worked at and I owned has had to close. We are being told that he cannot claim any disability benefits until 3 months is up and that includes carers allowance, I am 70 but was working as a fosterparnt and earning £400 a week, I can no longer do that. Can we really get no help until after 3 months.
Replies
ESA and/or Universal Credit is payable to people who are unable to work. Which benefit a person can claim will depend on where they live and if they have paid sufficient national insurance contributions. There is not a waiting period of 3 months for ESA or Universal Credit. A claim can be made for ESA on Telephone: 0800 055 6688 or Universal Credit is an on-line claim. Please post again if your son needs further help on this issue.
There is a waiting time of 3 months for Personal Independence payments, that is a person must have had some disability for at least 3 months before they qualify for PIP. They must then also show that they will have a disability for at least a further 9 months. This should not however stop a PIP claim being made, it merely means that your son may have to wait a while for payment to begin to meet the qualifying waiting period of 3 months. The telephone claim line is 0800 917 2222.
You also mentioned that you are struggling financially, and have to give up being a foster parent. Have you contacted Pension Credit? This is a benefit which tops up a pensioners low or nil income. The Pension Credit claim line is 0800 99 1234.
If you live in rented accommodation you could claim Housing Benefit and help with Council Tax via Council tax Reduction. these ca be claimed through your local council.
Regards
Maria Solomon