Here's a couple or three little no-so-obvious oddities I've picked up on my telephone travels.
Disability Living Allowance isn't means tested (not counted as income) - which effectively means that one can work while on DLA as long as the job/work doesn't contradict the reasons WHY you've been granted DLA. Bit of a minefield that.
But there's a little publicised fly in the ointment. Under the present DLA system, there are two components. Mobility ( 2 levels) Care (3 levels) If you receive level 2 or above Care, who aren't allowed near a Jobcentre.
Assuming you're brave enough to battle the complexities of fulfilling the (rightly) tough criteria to be granted Care level 2 or above, and use any abilities you may have, you won't get any help from the Jobcentre to find work, and you can't claim Job Seekers Allowance. You're on your own. Jobcentre's do have Disability Advisor's. But only for ESA or DLA level 1.
Note to the tabloids. Please stop getting Incapacity Benefit (now called Employment Service Allowance or ESA) mixed up with DLA. One is means tested, the other isn't. It's annoying, and misleading, and leads to prejudice against the disabled by those who don't know or can't be bothered to find out otherwise.
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This applies to everyone.
So you're bored with your job? Or maybe want a better paid job? Perhaps you've lost your job, but you aren't entitled to Job Seekers Allowance because you have too much savings? (which is good). Maybe you are just the kind of person who may be entitled to state help, but would prefer, for whatever reason not to claim?
So you're bored with your job? Or maybe want a better paid job? Perhaps you've lost your job, but you aren't entitled to Job Seekers Allowance because you have too much savings? (which is good). Maybe you are just the kind of person who may be entitled to state help, but would prefer, for whatever reason not to claim?
Off to the local Jobcentre? Er.... no. Unless you're being paid an employment related benefit (ie. Job Seekers Allowance) they won't help you. They may helpfully refer you to their Online page but otherwise you're on your own. Daft, isn't it?
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Picking up on my point above about those that may prefer not to claim benefits, even if their entitled.
Lots of reasons why someone might do that. Pride. They've managed and have always managed. Perhaps they come from a generation and a background where they find state aid distasteful.
Sometimes people come from close families that help each other out. Others may belong to religious organisations that help them out, or perhaps are aware of the increasingly common free Food Banks, free furniture and often amazingly understanding landlords. Voluntary homeless and anti-society? I could go on
There's a problem with that. If you aren't paying benefit, voluntary or wage deducted contributions to society such as tax or national insurance you'll get 'red flagged' as suspicious, and you may well be passed on to a department that, um, will go out of their way to help you 'make the right claim'.
Forced to make a claim? Who'd believe it? Catchya :)
Lots of reasons why someone might do that. Pride. They've managed and have always managed. Perhaps they come from a generation and a background where they find state aid distasteful.
Sometimes people come from close families that help each other out. Others may belong to religious organisations that help them out, or perhaps are aware of the increasingly common free Food Banks, free furniture and often amazingly understanding landlords. Voluntary homeless and anti-society? I could go on
There's a problem with that. If you aren't paying benefit, voluntary or wage deducted contributions to society such as tax or national insurance you'll get 'red flagged' as suspicious, and you may well be passed on to a department that, um, will go out of their way to help you 'make the right claim'.
Forced to make a claim? Who'd believe it? Catchya :)
1 comment:
Hi Wheelie
I count myself lucky that I've been in employment since I was 16. About 5 years ago, I decided to have about 6 weeks off between jobs doing jobs about the house which I had neglected for the previous ten years, like painting the outside, re-engineering the garden etc etc. I didn't claim anything because I was in a fortunate position of having some money put aside with which I could manage and frankly, I would rather someone who needs and deserves it get it. In fact I'm not sure I would have been entitled to anything anyway - but I never checked. Good advice by the way - it does seem rather complicated!
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