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Hi, my name is bigneil! I have been trying to claim since October last year

bigneil

i have been trying to claim anything since october last year and not got anywhere yet

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bigneil

i have been a house husband since 2016

until then i lead a industrious life

my wife works for the NHS and is on a band 4 pay roll

which is less than 20k pa before deductions

after deductions approx 14-15k pa

i was a carer for my late mother in law until she pass away in 2016

since then i have not worked and have been a house husband

i have hypertension i am being treated for for around 15 years now

high cholesterol i am also being treated for around 15 years again

i am approx 156kg in weight (i am losing weight slowly)

and am quite breathless (i am being treated for COPD ) but have not been formally diagnosed with CODP

my health deteriorated in 2019 when i was diagnosed with a Merkel Cell carcinoma

which derives from a form of skin cancer that infected my lymph node

in march 2020 i had a operation in royal marston hospital Chelsea

and had the lymph node removed

i am now being monitored with CT scans every 4 months
("so am i technically still being treated for cancer? ")

("i am still in a lot of pain since the operation and cannot stand for to long or put weight on my leg since the operation")

the CT scan before last picked up on an abdominal aortic aneurysm which measures 4.3cm

this is called a triple A (AAA)

i am now being monitored for that as well

i have tried several times to claim some sort of disability living allowance

but to date i can only get the low rate of mobility of approx £24 per week

and nothing else not a penny

please i need advise on any benefits i can claim for

as i cannot work as it is to painful

and i do not understand how the system works now

i have been trying to claim some sort of benefit since October last year

Ross_Alumni

Hello @bigneil

Welcome to the community

Which benefits are you in the process of trying to claim? Sorry to hear that it has been a challenge for you so far.

I hope to see you getting involved more around the community. This is a very supportive and welcoming site to be a part of so I’m hopeful that you’ll find it to be a positive outlet. Feel free to have a look around and get involved wherever you’d like 😊 A few notable pages I’d recommend visiting would be:

The virtual coffee lounge which is one of our categories, in which we play games and talk about general subjects such as hobbies and interests
The recent discussions page, which shows an overview of everything happening across the community
The categories page, which shows a full list of discussion groups on the community

If you have any questions at all then don’t hesitate to ask.

bigneil

ive tried universal credit and dpw not got anywhere

poppy123456

For Universal Credit because it’s a means tested benefit as you live with your wife then you will need to claim as a couple and both your circumstances will be taken into consideration. You can use a benefits calculator to check entitlement. https://www.entitledto.co.uk/benefits-calculator/Intro/Home?cid=8e1d0eca-97c7-4c93-84bc-2fb49be9f161

For your PIP, when was the decision made on your claim? If it was within the last 13 months then you can request the Mandatory Reconsideration on that but you’ll need to give a reason why you didn’t request it within the first month. Any worsening of condition will not be taken into consideration.

If it’s outside of this timescale then you can report a change of circumstances but before doing this you need to get some expert advice from an agency near you.

bigneil

Biblioklept said:

What benefits are you trying to claim?

DPW and universal credit

poppy123456

bigneil said:

Biblioklept said:

What benefits are you trying to claim?

DPW and universal credit

DWP isn't a benefit. DWP administer benefits such as Universal Credit.

bigneil

ive been trying to claim for anything i can get help with
but no one seems to want to advise me where to start
i am new to this ive worked most of my life and things have changed so much
i last claimed any sick benefit way bank in 1994
just anybody i chat to from the benefits department do not want to help me
may be its because i have been living on savings since 2016 and not claimed or worked in that time
universal credit say i have not paid any tax or national insurance in that time

bigneil

i was just to proud to make a claim
and now i need to i cant what it seems like anyway

calcotti

Because you are part of a couple any means tested benefits are based on your joint finances. Your wife’s income may exclude you being entitled to any Universal Credit. You can put your joint details into a benefits calculator to check.
https://www.gov.uk/benefits-calculators
For calculation purposes assume that you are found to have LCWRA. If this shows some entitlement you should claim UC (you both need to claim). Declare you health condition supported by a Fit Note. If you are found to have LCWRA your UC will be increased and some of your wife’s earnings will be ignored. Your UC will also include help with rent if you are renting.

Because you have been a house husband for a number of years since the Carer’s Allowance stopped you are not entitled to any contribution based benefits.

You are eligible for PIP and of your health has deteriorated since you were last assessed you can ask to be reassessed but it would be sensible to get advice from a local advice agency before doing this to make sure you understand how PIP is assessed. https://advicelocal.uk/
As mentioned by poppy earlier, you can challenge the previous decision if it is less than 13 months old.

bigneil said:
universal credit say i have not paid any tax or national insurance in that time

As you have been a house husband you will not have got any NI credits since your Carers Allowance stopped.

If you are not eligible for UC you can apply for new style ESA. You will not be eligible to receive any money (because you have been out of the work place for so long) but if found to have Limited Capability for Work will be entitled to Class 1 NI credits which will count towards your future State Pension.

bigneil said:
just anybody i chat to from the benefits department do not want to help me

DWP are not benefits advisers. They only administer benefits.

bigneil

calcotti said:

Because you are part of a couple any means tested benefits are based on your joint finances. Your wife’s income likely excludes you being entitled to any Universal Credit. You can put your joint details into a benefits calculator to check.
https://www.gov.uk/benefits-calculators

Because you have been a house husband for a number of years since the Carer’s Allowance stopped you are not entitled to any contribution based benefits.

You are eligible for PIP and of your health has deteriorated since you were last assessed you can ask to be reassessed but it would be sensible to get advice from a local advice agency before doing this to make sure you understand how PIP is assessed. https://advicelocal.uk/

bigneil said:
universal credit say i have not paid any tax or national insurance in that time

As you have been a house husband you will not have got any NI credits since your Carers Allowance stopped.

You can apply for new style ESA. You will not be eligible to receive any money (because you have been out of the work place for so long) but if found to have Limited Capability for Work will be entitled to Class 1 NI credits which will count towards your future State Pension.

ok thanks
i did claim for PIP but was turned down
i do know the PIP assessment has been farmed out by some independent group
and told by the government to make it a s hard as possible to claim
i was told this by www.change.org
i will give them a go though keep fingers crossed

thanks again

calcotti

bigneil said:
i did claim for PIP but was turned down

You said you were getting Mobility component so you are getting PIP.

For UC your starting point is to use a benefits calculator or, if you find this too difficult, try a local advice agency to do a full benefit check.

Alternatively you could ring the Help to Claim service
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/about-us/contact-us/contact-us/help-to-claim/
You will need to provide full details of your finances.
Make it clear you have a health condition, you will need to evidence this with a Fit Note if you wish to claim.

poppy123456

bigneil said:

calcotti said:

Because you are part of a couple any means tested benefits are based on your joint finances. Your wife’s income likely excludes you being entitled to any Universal Credit. You can put your joint details into a benefits calculator to check.
https://www.gov.uk/benefits-calculators

Because you have been a house husband for a number of years since the Carer’s Allowance stopped you are not entitled to any contribution based benefits.

You are eligible for PIP and of your health has deteriorated since you were last assessed you can ask to be reassessed but it would be sensible to get advice from a local advice agency before doing this to make sure you understand how PIP is assessed. https://advicelocal.uk/

bigneil said:
universal credit say i have not paid any tax or national insurance in that time

As you have been a house husband you will not have got any NI credits since your Carers Allowance stopped.

You can apply for new style ESA. You will not be eligible to receive any money (because you have been out of the work place for so long) but if found to have Limited Capability for Work will be entitled to Class 1 NI credits which will count towards your future State Pension.

ok thanks
i did claim for PIP but was turned down.

In a previous comment you said you currently claim standard rate mobility PIP is this correct? If so, when was the decision made on that please?

bigneil said:
i have tried several times to claim some sort of disability living allowance
but to date i can only get the low rate of mobility of approx £24 per week

bigneil

calcotti said:

bigneil said:
i did claim for PIP but was turned down

You said you were getting Mobility component so you are getting PIP.

For UC your starting point is to use a benefits calculator or, if you find this too difficult, try a local advice agency to do a full benefit check.

Alternatively you could ring the Help to Claim service
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/about-us/contact-us/contact-us/help-to-claim/
You will need to provide full details of your finances.
Make it clear you have a health condition, you will need to evidence this with a Fit Note if you wish to claim.

no

they said my needs were not severe enough to award PIP
but they gave me the low rate of mobility

bigneil

bigneil said:

calcotti said:

bigneil said:
i did claim for PIP but was turned down

You said you were getting Mobility component so you are getting PIP.

For UC your starting point is to use a benefits calculator or, if you find this too difficult, try a local advice agency to do a full benefit check.

Alternatively you could ring the Help to Claim service
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/about-us/contact-us/contact-us/help-to-claim/
You will need to provide full details of your finances.
Make it clear you have a health condition, you will need to evidence this with a Fit Note if you wish to claim.

no

they said my needs were not severe enough to award PIP
but they gave me the low rate of mobility

but did not award me any care component
even though i can walk a little distance approx 30 metres
i then have to rest my leg and get my breath back
but i can get dressed other than put my socks on my wife does that as it is to painful for me to do
and i can cook myself and do general housework

bigneil

poppy123456 said:

bigneil said:

calcotti said:

Because you are part of a couple any means tested benefits are based on your joint finances. Your wife’s income likely excludes you being entitled to any Universal Credit. You can put your joint details into a benefits calculator to check.
https://www.gov.uk/benefits-calculators

Because you have been a house husband for a number of years since the Carer’s Allowance stopped you are not entitled to any contribution based benefits.

You are eligible for PIP and of your health has deteriorated since you were last assessed you can ask to be reassessed but it would be sensible to get advice from a local advice agency before doing this to make sure you understand how PIP is assessed. https://advicelocal.uk/

bigneil said:
universal credit say i have not paid any tax or national insurance in that time

As you have been a house husband you will not have got any NI credits since your Carers Allowance stopped.

You can apply for new style ESA. You will not be eligible to receive any money (because you have been out of the work place for so long) but if found to have Limited Capability for Work will be entitled to Class 1 NI credits which will count towards your future State Pension.

ok thanks
i did claim for PIP but was turned down.

In a previous comment you said you currently claim standard rate mobility PIP is this correct? If so, when was the decision made on that please?

bigneil said:
i have tried several times to claim some sort of disability living allowance
but to date i can only get the low rate of mobility of approx £24 per week

hi the decision on my mobility award
was about 3 months ago
they gave me back payment to December
i am even having issues getting a blue badge
even though i cant walk that far

calcotti

bigneil said:
they said my needs were not severe enough to award PIP
but they gave me the low rate of mobility

Mobility is part of PIP. They awarded you the Mobility part of PIP but not the Daily Living part. You have a PIP award.

You can, if you wish, request a Mandatory Reconsideration of the decision which will involve a different Decision Maker looking at the whole award. If this fails, as is usual, you can then appeal to the tribunal service. However you first need to make sure you understand how PIP is assessed to see if you honestly think you qualify for enough points (8) to get a Daily Living award. Get advice if you need it.

Lots of information here
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/pip/

The point scoring system is described here
https://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/personal-independence-payment-pip/pip-points-system

bigneil said:
but did not award me any care component
even though i can walk a little distance approx 30 metres

Your difficulties walking will not help with getting a Daily Living award. That is what the mobility award is for.

poppy123456

bigneil said:

poppy123456 said:

bigneil said:

calcotti said:

Because you are part of a couple any means tested benefits are based on your joint finances. Your wife’s income likely excludes you being entitled to any Universal Credit. You can put your joint details into a benefits calculator to check.
https://www.gov.uk/benefits-calculators

Because you have been a house husband for a number of years since the Carer’s Allowance stopped you are not entitled to any contribution based benefits.

You are eligible for PIP and of your health has deteriorated since you were last assessed you can ask to be reassessed but it would be sensible to get advice from a local advice agency before doing this to make sure you understand how PIP is assessed. https://advicelocal.uk/

bigneil said:
universal credit say i have not paid any tax or national insurance in that time

As you have been a house husband you will not have got any NI credits since your Carers Allowance stopped.

You can apply for new style ESA. You will not be eligible to receive any money (because you have been out of the work place for so long) but if found to have Limited Capability for Work will be entitled to Class 1 NI credits which will count towards your future State Pension.

ok thanks
i did claim for PIP but was turned down.

In a previous comment you said you currently claim standard rate mobility PIP is this correct? If so, when was the decision made on that please?

bigneil said:
i have tried several times to claim some sort of disability living allowance
but to date i can only get the low rate of mobility of approx £24 per week

hi the decision on my mobility award
was about 3 months ago
they gave me back payment to December
i am even having issues getting a blue badge
even though i cant walk that far

If you scored 8 points in the "moving around" part of mobility PIP then this automatically entitles you to a Blue badge. If the points were scored in following an planning a journey unless you scored 10 points for activity 1E you will not automatically be entitled to a blue badge based on your PIP award.

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/help-for-disabled-travellers1/blue-badge-scheme/applying-for-a-blue-badge/

You can check the rules for your local Authority here. https://www.gov.uk/apply-blue-badge