Am I entitled to extra help....

poppy123456

The appointee is there if a claimant is mentally incapable or severely disabled that they are unable to manage their own claim.

You can ask for the appointee to be removed and then DWP will decide whether that's the right thing for you. https://www.scope.org.uk/advice-and-support/removing-an-appointee/#Removing-an-appointee-click

If the appointee is removed then you'll be fully responsible for looking after your own claim, which means filling forms, answering questions at assessments and the money going into your own bank account.

For the SDP you can download and print the IS10 form, your sister will need to sign it, not you and then send it to them. See link. https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/688600/response/1637206/attach/3/IS10.pdf?cookie_passthrough=1

Edit to add, are you 100% sure the SDP is not added to your ESA?

PalsyP

poppy123456 said:

Edit to add, are you 100% sure the SDP is not added to your ESA?

Yes, the job centre told me it's not been added when I asked on the phone......

poppy123456

And no one claims either carers allowance or carers element of Universal Credit for looking after you, is that correct?

If you're in the Support Group claiming Income Related  (without the SDP added) your weekly amount should be £135.35 (£270.70 fortnightly)

With SDP added it would be £204.75/week (£409.50 fortnightly)

The above figures don't take into consideration any deductions you may be having from your ESA.

PalsyP

I get £270.70, that's correct...... and, no, shouldn't be any carer's allowance in my DLA since I moved out of home in 2001, my mum sadly passed the same year.

PalsyP

Hold on, DLA is 2 components, care and mobility......  The care component is different to the carer's allowance, right?  (I feel stupid asking that)

calcotti

PalsyP said:

Hold on, DLA is 2 components, care and mobility......  The care component is different to the carer's allowance, right?  (I feel stupid asking that)

Carer's Allowance is separate from DLA. DLA is the benefit you are paid for your disability. Carer's Allowance, if applicable, would be a benefit claimed by somebody else to claim for caring for you. (It's not stupid to ask that.)

PalsyP

Well, my "appointee" called, did the form and they said I should be accepted for SDP..... Upon reading this page, I should be entitled back pay?

calcotti

PalsyP said:

Well, my "appointee" called, did the form and they said I should be accepted for SDP..... Upon reading this page, I should be entitled back pay?

Yes, it should be backdated to whatever date you met the conditions from.

PalsyP

calcotti said:

Yes, it should be backdated to whatever date you met the conditions from.

Define "conditions" if you can.

calcotti

PalsyP said:

calcotti said:

Yes, it should be backdated to whatever date you met the conditions from.

Define "conditions" if you can.

You are in receipt of a qualifying disability benefit, living alone and nobody claimed Carers Allowance for looking after you.

PalsyP

Sorry, I'm not this stupid in real life, well, I am when it comes to stuff like this

calcotti

PalsyP said:

Sorry, I'm not this stupid in real life, well, I am when it comes to stuff like this

There's no reason why you should know - don't feel stupid.

poppy123456

PalsyP said:

Sorry, I'm not this stupid in real life, well, I am when it comes to stuff like this

You shouldn't feel that way. There's very likely a lot of people that aren't claiming the benefits you're entitled to. The benefits system is confusing for many.

If you are entitled to the SDP then posting here was a very good thing, otherwise you may never have known.

PalsyP

I do feel a bit concerned though. I contacted Scope directly, like I said, for help before I came here. They didn't go in-depth with any questions about my finances and benefits. I have received more help here. A bit daunting they offer help but in reality, you literally get a canned response back - try and save energy, use the calculator, etc.

calcotti

Scope don't, to my knowledge, provide a benefits specialist service.
https://www.scope.org.uk/helpline/

We are not trained benefits specialists and cannot offer case work or advocacy.
We make every effort to ensure information is accurate, based on evidence and responds to the information you give us.
We will try to signpost you to a specialist national or local service if you need more specialised support or advice.

Unfortunately it isn't possible for charities to fund specialist advisers. I would certainly hope though that they could direct to other organisations such as Citizens Advice. Even with CA you are dealing with volunteers, although advisers are trained there is an inevitable variation in standards and sadly we have heard of some very poor advice from CA reported by other posters.

PalsyP

I wasn't knocking them.  I explained my situation that I get DLA and ESA (inc. amounts) - they did advise me to go to my CAB office, I would've thought they would've pulled me up on the potential lack of SDP and directed me to call the job centre...

But I digress.

By the way, still nothing back from my council... I can't say I'm surprised -  no doubt I'll hear from them when they want to cut my DP hours.

poppy123456

PalsyP said:

I would've thought they would've pulled me up on the potential lack of SDP and directed me to call the job centre...

Why would they? They are not benefits advisers.

PalsyP

Just an update to this, they have agreed to add SDP to my ESA...... Still no news of any backpay yet, going to wait a few weeks then call back if hear nothing.

Thanks for the help and advice.

Sue_Alumni

Good morning @PalsyP - good news about the SDP.  Keep us posted about the back pay .

Alex_Alumni

Thanks for your update @PalsyP that's great, fingers crossed for the back pay