Entitlement to benefits......

conny · 3 Aug 2015

I've been off work for just over 2 weeks with a dodgy knee and am expected to be off for about another 6 weeks.

Found out this afternoon that because I have not been with this employer for 6 months yet I will only get SSP, which is about £85 per week.

Am I entitled to any benefits such as Housing Benefit or Earnings Related Supplement etc?
I have paid tax and NI throughout my 40+ years but have savings of just over £8k

securespark · 3 Aug 2015

Try looking here:
https://www.gov.uk/employment-support-allowance

Savings ceiling is something like 16K.

big-all · 3 Aug 2015

yes 16kyou must include any shares premium bonds bank accounts tessas issas any assets except your home or normal contents
but remember if you have a partner with a decent income you will get little if any help as its based on household income

big-all · 3 Aug 2015

should add that they assume you get about £5 per thousand per week in interest between its either 6 or 8k i cant remember
so at the lower end you have no income at say 9k you have £45 a week at 15k its £75 a week and at 16k you get no state help at 15.995 you still get a little help a few pounds but free prescriptions and similar

conny · 4 Aug 2015

Had a look at a government site.

They want to know the ins and outs of a fleas armpit!

Spoke to my boss today and told him to sort some light duties out for me as I hope to be back in a week or two.

big-all · 4 Aug 2015

yes some very intrusive questions which is fair enough
many a desperate person will not claim there entitlement because the forms are intimidating as is the whole procedure in some ways dehumanising especially iff literacy and numeracy are not your strong points

conny · 4 Aug 2015

No problems with literacy and numeracy.

Just sick of having to expose every bit of personal information that I possess for something I think I should be entitled to as of right.
These people make you jump though hoops that don't even exist, and yes, they de-humanise you.

A very close friend has had her DLA benefits stopped because some malicious person, (and we have a very, very good idea who), has reported she is living with her 'live-in' carer. Before her carer moved in, (at the suggestion of a relative of the suspected informer), she declared to all those concerned what the position was and was told by all that it would be allowed and a notice attached to her file.
Now she, and her carer, are having to provide extensive personal proof over the past three years that they are not living as a couple, rather than them having to prove that they are. She is on the verge of a complete mental and physical breakdown because of this other persons vindictiveness.

securespark · 4 Aug 2015

Conny

I will agree with you that the authorities make you jump through hoops and dehumanise you. On the phone I have been treated appalingly badly.

I have had to declare all sorts of things like the fact that we own our house outright and have no mortgage on it, all the details of our children (even though I am not claiming anything on their behalf) and every last detail of savings.

You end up feeling just a number at the end of it.

big-all · 4 Aug 2015

i used to help guide friends and family through the claims process but stopped a couple off years ago as it became so soul destroying it was annoying me and making me rather sad
i sometimes think it is deliberately difficult to put people off and save money regardless off how desperate they where

because its now popular to knock people on benefits even though only about 2.2% goes on unemployment benefit the rest goes to hard working parents and adults in low paid jobs
people on sickness benefit with the greatest amount off benefits going to pensioners

conny · 5 Aug 2015

Because my friend, who is disabled with a degenerative condition, used to work for the DSS as it was called at that time as a manager in complex debt recovery, she knows how they and the system works. She agrees with what you say SS. They want, (not need), to know every little thing in the hope you will drop your claim and save them time and money. Unfortunately for them she is more determined than Alan Sugar to make sure she gets what she is entitled to and is quite prepared for it to reach court if necessary.

Entitlement to benefits......

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