Benefits amount — Scope | Disability forum
If we become concerned about you or anyone else while using one of our services, we will act in line with our safeguarding policy and procedures. This may involve sharing this information with relevant authorities to ensure we comply with our policies and legal obligations.

Find out how to let us know if you're concerned about another member's safety.
Please read our updated community house rules and community guidelines.

Benefits amount

Options
dp267p
dp267p Community member Posts: 69 Connected
in Benefits and financial support
Hi,

I know this is a weird question but is it normal to receive around 1,300 a month in benefit entitlement?

It seems an awful lot of money but then again I am a gay man with no kids and share a house with a friend / joint tenant. 

It just seems a lot of money and I think at times maybe they’re overpaying me?
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
«1

Comments

  • calcotti
    calcotti Community member Posts: 10,010 Disability Gamechanger
    Options
    It depends on your circumstances and what benefits you are claiming.
    Information I post is for England unless otherwise stated. Rules may be different in other parts of UK.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • dp267p
    dp267p Community member Posts: 69 Connected
    Options
    Standard PIP and standard mobility on top of ESA and UC but also housing element. 
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • woodbine
    woodbine Community member Posts: 11,621 Disability Gamechanger
    Options
    How much do you get towards your rent?
    2024 The year of the general election...the time for change is coming 💡

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • dp267p
    dp267p Community member Posts: 69 Connected
    Options
    I get £315 
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • calcotti
    calcotti Community member Posts: 10,010 Disability Gamechanger
    Options
    So the PIP is 89.30/week (386.97/month)
    Your UC with LCWRA (ESA taken off) is £689.19/month.
    So you’re on £1076.16/month plus your help with rent.
    Information I post is for England unless otherwise stated. Rules may be different in other parts of UK.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • dp267p
    dp267p Community member Posts: 69 Connected
    Options
    I think it works out

    ESA - 509 a month
    UC - 492 a month (including the rent)
    PIP - 386.97 a month

    is that right? Or is it an error / overpayment. 
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • calcotti
    calcotti Community member Posts: 10,010 Disability Gamechanger
    Options
    That is completely plausible.
    Information I post is for England unless otherwise stated. Rules may be different in other parts of UK.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • dp267p
    dp267p Community member Posts: 69 Connected
    Options
    Plausible that it’s an overpayment or that I’m in receipt of the correct amounts?
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Community member Posts: 54,041 Disability Gamechanger
    Options
    dp267p said:
    Plausible that it’s an overpayment or that I’m in receipt of the correct amounts?

    Correct amounts. See calcottis breakdown here.
    calcotti said:
    So the PIP is 89.30/week (386.97/month)
    Your UC with LCWRA (ESA taken off) is £689.19/month.
    So you’re on £1076.16/month plus your help with rent.


    I would appreciate it if members wouldn't tag me please. I have all notifcations turned off and wouldn't want a member thinking i'm being rude by not replying.
    If i see a question that i know the answer to i will try my best to help.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • dp267p
    dp267p Community member Posts: 69 Connected
    edited July 2022
    Options
    It works out 1,300 a month. Is that right???

    or are you excluding the rent?

    my UC is £492 after ESA is taken off. 
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • calcotti
    calcotti Community member Posts: 10,010 Disability Gamechanger
    edited July 2022
    Options
    dp267p said:
    It works out 1,300 a month. Is that right???
    or are you excluding the rent?
    my UC is £492 after ESA is taken off. 
    I didn’t include the rent originally because I didn’t know how much your rent is. That’s why I said
    calcotti said:
    So you’re on £1076.16/month plus your help with rent.
    So £1300/month is entirely plausible when rent is added
    Information I post is for England unless otherwise stated. Rules may be different in other parts of UK.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • dp267p
    dp267p Community member Posts: 69 Connected
    Options
    Seems an awful lot of money. Is this normal for benefits?


    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Community member Posts: 54,041 Disability Gamechanger
    edited July 2022
    Options
    dp267p said:
    Seems an awful lot of money. Is this normal for benefits?


    As advised it depends on a persons circumstances. As you are claiming PIP as well as LCWRA then your benefit entitlement will be higher than a single person that doesn’t have a disability. The amount you’re receiving is correct for your circumstances. 
    It’s very unusual for someone to question whether their benefits are too much. Usually people question because they aren’t receiving enough to live off. 
    I would appreciate it if members wouldn't tag me please. I have all notifcations turned off and wouldn't want a member thinking i'm being rude by not replying.
    If i see a question that i know the answer to i will try my best to help.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • dp267p
    dp267p Community member Posts: 69 Connected
    Options
    Maybe it’s because I live in shared accommodation. So the bills are halved? 

    No idea. Does that sound realistic?
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Community member Posts: 54,041 Disability Gamechanger
    edited July 2022
    Options
    Bills are not taken into consideration when claiming any means tested benefits.
    Although sharing the cost of the bills with others certainly helps to budget better. 
    I would appreciate it if members wouldn't tag me please. I have all notifcations turned off and wouldn't want a member thinking i'm being rude by not replying.
    If i see a question that i know the answer to i will try my best to help.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • dp267p
    dp267p Community member Posts: 69 Connected
    Options
    Yeah that’s right and to be fair. That isn’t a huge amount. Some people earn 22k-32k. I think max is 14k in benefits. 

    But if you remember I was the OP who said was it okay to share with a friend / ex partner for UC housing element. That I was worried about. 
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Community member Posts: 54,041 Disability Gamechanger
    Options
    dp267p said:
    I think max is 14k in benefits. 


    That's not exactly correct. Maximum entitlement to benefits will totally depend on a claimants circumstances. For example, a couple with 2 children, with disabilities that both receive DLA could be entitled to a lot more than £14,000 in benefits.
    I would appreciate it if members wouldn't tag me please. I have all notifcations turned off and wouldn't want a member thinking i'm being rude by not replying.
    If i see a question that i know the answer to i will try my best to help.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • janer1967
    janer1967 Community member Posts: 21,964 Disability Gamechanger
    Options
    As your getting 1300 per month then you are getting £15, 600 per year so the limit is obviously more than 14k 
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • calcotti
    calcotti Community member Posts: 10,010 Disability Gamechanger
    edited July 2022
    Options
    dp267p said:
    Seems an awful lot of money. Is this normal for benefits?
    I have already explained how it is made up and seems completely appropriate based on what OP has said. Would be higher if their OP was higher.
    Information I post is for England unless otherwise stated. Rules may be different in other parts of UK.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Biblioklept
    Biblioklept Community member Posts: 4,682 Disability Gamechanger
    Options
    You have to remember that everyone's amount is tailored to their specific situation. So not everyone will receive as much as you and some will receive more. But two people with identical circumstances should receive the same.

    Someone with different circumstances to you could get just £265.31 a month to live off. Which really wouldn't go far at all. 
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Brightness

Categories

Complete our feedback form and tell us how we can make the community better.

Do you need advice on your energy costs?


Scope’s Disability Energy Support service is open to any disabled household in England or Wales in which one or more disabled people live. You can get free advice from an expert adviser on managing energy debt, switching tariffs, contacting your supplier and more. Find out more information by visiting our
Disability Energy Support webpage.