cut in benefits

back when I was an advisor we got laptop PCs with a special programme for working out these benefits. It was a nightmare otherwise. We'd be here all day asking for what this bank statement said, and how many for this period, and what other assets and on and on and on.. its not possible or advisable to stray beyond the advisory materials published here

Ok. I just found the comment quite alarming. I would hate to think that those in receipt of Income Support (through no fault of their own) were being judged for not being in a postition to pay enough Income Tax because of the severity of their disability.

Dee wrote:

hi
Just an enquire, my ex partner gets income support, DLA @ mrc & lrc because he is blind and also he has modirate learning disabilities. In april he got a letter a while ago saying they where going to cut his income support from £147.10 per week by nearly £53. In the letter he got a while ago say that he should be able live on the lower amount.
Dee

Your ex-partner should have been sent a letter from the Income Support section of the JCP/BD office which handles his claim, with a clear explanation of the reason for the reduction in payment. In the letter there should also be a page giving details of exactly how the benefit entitlement was worked out. To say that he should be able to live on the lower amount would have to be your/your ex-partner's interpretation of any letter, as it is not something which would be included in official correspondence.

As is the custom, any letter which refers to a change in benefit entitlement in this situation should carry the right of appeal, which is certainly the case where a claimant's benefit has been reduced/terminated. The decision of whether or not to appeal then rests with the claimant.

flo1 wrote:

Ok. I just found the comment quite alarming. I would hate to think that those in receipt of Income Support (through no fault of their own) were being judged for not being in a postition to pay enough Income Tax because of the severity of their disability.

We generally give information on DLA, AA, IB and ESA, and also the PCA and WCA.

Of course, the PCA applies to both IB and IS due to sickness, and the WCA applies to both Contribution-Related and Income-Related ESA. If a claim or appeal relates to one of these means-tested benefits, you will still find the guides invaluable.

Derek

DepressedDerek wrote:

flo1 wrote:

Ok. I just found the comment quite alarming. I would hate to think that those in receipt of Income Support (through no fault of their own) were being judged for not being in a postition to pay enough Income Tax because of the severity of their disability.

We generally give information on DLA, AA, IB and ESA, and also the PCA and WCA.

Of course, the PCA applies to both IB and IS due to sickness, and the WCA applies to both Contribution-Related and Income-Related ESA. If a claim or appeal relates to one of these means-tested benefits, you will still find the guides invaluable.

Derek

Thank you.

I've found it very upsetting actually. It doesn't surprise me though.

Dave wrote:

flo1 wrote:

XFACTOR wrote:

This site concerns itself with non means tested benefits, but my suggestion is have him visit the CAB or even go with him and ask them to establish what has happened and how this figute has been arrived at

I didn't realise that. Why is that?

I suspect because means tested benefits are an even bigger bag of worms than none means tested benefits

its hard enough working out who can have none means tested, the moment they look at another million reasons not to give you the money you could never give even basic advise to people , as you never know what income they have how much in the bank what pensions or who else is also supporting them in a partnership and another 1,000 reasons I have missed out

I'm sure, though, that anyone claiming, worrying about and asking advice on, IS would give this information freely. So I really don't see a problem.