Benefits entitlement

[ww-wibblywobbly]

Hi, I want to ask for some information for my sister in law, who doesn't have Ataxia but another illness.

She's had to reduce her work hours due to her disease. The chances are that she'll have to stop completely soon.

Which benefits should she apply for. Which benefit replaces your income. She has applied for pip and be refused. But she is going to appeal that decision.

I would be grateful for any information at all. As I live in France and don't know the system properly.

Thank you everyone

Love

Alison xx

[cocoa]

I found Citizen's Advice very helpful, so she could try there first.

[pinjem]

Applying for PIP can be traumatic. As cocoa says, ask CA for help? Be prepared, have someone 'sharp' with her. Do not hold back. I was refused initially then after much encouragement, applied again. I am a determined sort of person but 'gave in' as it was so difficult- starting with no parking outside and on a major road. Repeat what you know is the truth, do not allow the assessor, however nice, to re interpret, make them write down what you say. It is likely the appeal will have more qualified assessors. I went from no PIP at all to the full amount. I should have had it straight away, of course.

Your sister-in- law will be entitled to an unemployment benefit too if she has paid enough NI contributions. When she cannot work, she will be put into a group that does not have requirements. I am sure these assessors are pleasant people too but be prepared for the same downright obstructions and re interpretations here too. Be firm, have someone 'sharp' with her here too. (I consider myself 'sharp' but am trusting and had no idea!)

As soon as your SILaw has PIP, apply for a Blue Badge- I had no idea of the relief that would bring! I also asked the local council for an assessment by -I think someone qualified to advise on things like aids and shower chairs etc- she was brilliant! I previously had someone visit from another agency who actually said to me "As soon as I saw you I knew I wouldn't be able to help you", presumably once I had fallen and broken my neck or a limb, she would recognise a problem as it was visible. I was handed a booklet of aids to buy. I am venting a bit here, sorry, Perhaps I should write up all my injustices and blog it!

I hope all goes well for her, I also hope there are other suggestions made- there is a raft of help available. I have had tremendous help/advice from various charities. Get your SILaw to join a group such as this that is right for her condition, we know it helps, even just being here!

[Susie1972]

You will be lucky to get anything.... I was refused pip and Esa cos I can feed myself and go to the toilet? Is ridiculous the point scoring, I got 2/20 as I use a bath board with rails!!!). I am on income based job seekers (it's same amount) as I do want a job and they tend to leave u alone as they can see ur illness. Have a look on turn2us or as prev comment go CAB 👍

[ww-wibblywobbly]

Thank you so much for your replies. My sister in law's illness is very rare - even more rare than ataxia. Her handicap isn't visual, as is mine ( and ours) Really she needs to completely stop work, she has already reduced dramatically her hours. She wants to continue to work - but ????

So far she has applied for pip through universal credit. Not sure if that covers ESA and I don't understand what ESA is exactly.

So if she becomes unemployed due to health reasons does anyone know what she'd be entitled to. She still has a mortgage to pay and her son who's 18 still lives at home. He is doing an apprenticeship but doesn't earn much more.

She's so exhausted that she doesn't wash or change her clothes, or prepare food. She also has much more severe problems than that, but I can't mention them on here as she wouldn't thank me for it!!

I will look in turn2us now.

Thanks

Alison xxxx

[SharonPS]

Go here for really useful advice: benefitsandwork.co.uk/

I used it for my wife's applications for PIP and ESA and was successful in Mandatory Reconsideration so did not need to go to appeal for PIP.

I would recommend joining (costs £19.95 for a year) to get access to all the guides.

[ww-wibblywobbly in reply to SharonPS]

Thanks for that xx

[FFNick]

Your SIL will have to be up to date with her NI. ie UK resident.

ESA is Employment Support Allowance. ESA is same as JSA. ESA is given long term, JSA is short term. Both JSA and ESA credit NI whilst claiming.

Rather than fill in 6 or more forms with the same info, Universal Credit is one form

OTs (Occupational Therapists) supply fittings to your house, which is cheaper than living in a council residential home.

All grants are negated by having savings. Each award has different criteria. They can not check your savings, so do not tell them.

There is now no help with a mortgage. Simple SMI has ended. A separate application is needed to local council for Council Tax relief. Too much savings reduces award.

Rather than nag son to move the bins ask the council for Assisted Collection.

Blue Badge (for parking etc) is not means tested. And a separate application.

CAB and AgeUIK just check you have applied for everything.

Keep re-applying until success.

[Ackee]

I work part-time and get the disability element of working tax credit. As someone said below, the best place to source information on benefits in the UK would be your sister's local citizen advice bureau. Or try moneyadviceservice.org.uk, which is also set up by the Government.