This information is only relevant for the United Kingdom & Ireland.

Benefit Agency - An outline of some benefit's which you may be entitled to, together with a brief description of the current criteria required to qualify.  As the government are always changing or amending the rules always check with your local benefit office.  

DONT assume you will not qualify *** ALWAYS APPLY *** it costs nothing but time

Amounts of benefits quoted on these pages are correct as of April 1st 2000 (there is benefit rise in April of each year).

DLA

Disability Living Allowance is split into two parts or 'components' - Mobility and Care. 

The Care component - There are three levels of care awards, depending upon the amount of help you need with daily activities which you would expect any normal healthy adult to be able to do for themselves i.e. washing, dressing, toileting, getting in/out of bed etc.

The Benefit Agency will NOT take into account any normal house work which the 'wife' (not our wording) would normally undertake as part of a marriage i.e. washing, ironing, cooking etc.

Amount's payable for level of award

The Mobility Component - There are two levels of awards depending upon you mobility problem!.

In fact the description mobility is somewhat misleading for the lower rate as you can qualify for this even if you have no problem at all with walking - so you could be 100% physically fit and still fulfill the criteria because of a mental illness i.e. depression, agoraphobia or suffer from 'panic attacks' other reasons could be due to communication difficulties i.e. deafness, speech impediment etc. 

If you have problems walking then the lower rate maybe awarded if they consider you are able to walk short distances.

The criteria for this award is straight forward - You must be 'unable' or virtually unable to walk.

Being defined as unable to walk is obviously straight forward if you have completely lost the use of you lower limbs.

If you have the use of your lower limbs but are unable to walk because of pain it causes or you are so unsteady on your feet then you could be a danger to yourself, then an award can be made under the 'virtually unable to walk' category.

Of course this is usually where the problems start, it is relatively easy to prove or disprove how steady you are on your feet.  When it comes to pain, it is a different matter.

Once you have returned the necessary form the Benefit Agency will decide if you qualify or not, they may ask you to see there doctor, who produces a report which normally states that in their opinion you are able to walk the distance of 200 meters before the onset of what THEY would describe as severe pain.  This statement is usually enough evidence for the Adjudication Officer to disallow your claim.

As pain cannot be measured - everyone's pain threshold being different, it is very hard to prove the doctor wrong and the Adjudication Officer takes their MEP (medical examining practioners) report as gospel.  So you need to be prepared with other medical evidence from other sources to help prove you are in pain!.

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Incapacity Benefit

Incapacity Benefit is payable for those who have ceased receiving SSP (Statutory Sick Pay) from there employer's.  

There are basic amount's depending upon your age and how long you have been claiming Incapacity, an additional sum is also added depending upon the amount of National Insurance Contributions you have paid.

The basic amount is increased once you have been in receipt of Invalidity Benefit for 26 weeks.

After 12 month's (depending on why you are claiming), you will be asked to provide further information from your Doctor and may also be asked to take a medical examination at your local Invalidity office.

Amount of Benefit

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Working Families Tax Credit

Your maximum entitlement is dependant upon the number and ages of children in the family and also the number of hours you work.

If your NET income is less than £80.65, then the maximum credit is normally payable.

Once again certain child care charges of up to £100 per week can be offset against your income when working this benefit out.

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Disability Working Allowance

If you are disabled and working, this allowance is there to make sure you will not be at a disadvantage.

The maximum allowance is £80.65 per week.  You maybe entitled to this if your NET income is less than £60.50 (if single) and £80.65 (if you have a partner).  There is also an allowance for any children which you may have.

DWA is paid in 'blocks' of 26 weeks, you can elect to have this paid weekly or in a lump sum.  Once DWA has been awarded it CANNOT be withdrawn, even if your circumstances improve within that period. 

NOTE - Certain child care charges of up to £100.00 per week can be offset against your earning when your benefit is worked out.

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Income Support

Payable to people who are unable to work who are on a low income.  The government have set an amount which they consider!, is necessary to live on.  If you fall below this amount then you can claim Income Support and other benefits associated with it.

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Severe Disablement Allowance

This benefit is payable when you have never worked, it is basically the same as Incapacity Benefit but with a reduced rate of payment.

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