Benefits

[tooj]

My husband is self employed. He is 60 years old and has just had a serious illness which meant he was unable to work. He is still not fit for work but has been down to our CAB today to see if he is entitled to any benefits if he stops working only to be told that he is not entitled to a penny! How can this be right? He has worked hard all of his life and paid his stamp but now he is ill and unable to work he cannot claim anything. Doe anyone have any suggestions as to what we can do?

[cathfromsaron]

there are always savings limits and other provisos, but you as a couple must be eligible for the minimum safety net surely?

what about going through the benefits agency and pensions people?

cath x

[chaptazbru]

Maybe he should ask the DSS. I agree, this can't be right. He's got to be due something surely ....

[bednobs]

well if he is not looking for work, he wont be able to get jsa. Is it that he just can't do the work he normally does, or can't he do any work? Will he be able to work in the future, or is he planning to retire for good? Do you work?

[wolf63]

You haven't said if you work or what other income and capital you have. This is crucial information. But if you have given the full details to CAB their decision is probably right.

[emmie]

suggest try Age UK as well. I can't believe that he wouldn't be entitled to something if he has paid his stamp. Are you in work?

[emmie]

because if you are working, then it may be that you earn enough, according to the criteria laid down by the government. It's not necessarily a fair system i know.

[hc4361]

No private pension to claim early on medical grounds? No accident/sickness insurance plan?
Will he be fit enough to return to work in the few weeks?
Do you work? Is there any other household pension?

[lcg]

if he is not able to work, then he can't get jsa.....but may be eligible for disability living allowance and/or employment support allowance. if you have £16k or less in savings, then must use these until you are below the threshold for claiming esa (dla is NOT means tested). here are some links:

http://www.direct.gov...ledpeople/DG_10011925

http://www.direct.gov...llorinjured/DG_171891

good luck with things x

[furrypusscat]

I know rules for entitlement to benefits have changed over the years but I was self employed and had to finish work through illness. I was entitled to the then 'sickness benefit' which went to Invalidity Benefit before finally Incapacity Benefit. Is he not entitled to Incapacity Benefit for so many weeks prior to being medically examined for the 'Work Capability Test'.

[lcg]

incapacity benefit no longer exists for new claimants - it is now employment and support allowance....and as stated above has a means-test threshold of £16k.

[hc4361]

He cannot get Statutory Sick Pay if you are self-employed, but he may be entitled ESA.

http://www.direct.gov...llorinjured/DG_171891

[pdq1]

Being self employed he pays a different stamp to the employed. Its important to sign on regularly as the DofE will then pay your NI stamp for you. Although its only a few pounds without a full NI contribution he will find his state pension could be reduced when he does retire in a few years time.

[themas]

For all means tested benefits your own income & the savings of each of you are considered together.

The only non means tested benefits he might be entitled to are ESA (depending on complex rules about his NI record & earnings), and DLA. CAB should have covered this with him. If they didn't he should go back.