How do we find out what beniffits dss is entitled too?

[Marne]

As you may have read in my other thread dss (19) has been admitted to phyc hospital after a breakdown, he was claiming job seekers before he went in and is due to sign on next tuesday, he is unfit to sign on and unfit to look for work. How do we go about getting him incapacity benifit? will he be able to claim DLA?

At the moment (where he is) he doesn't need any money but when he comes out he will need some kind of weekly money coming in.

We are not sure where he will go when he comes out of hospital as we are thinking home (his mums) may not be the best place for him right now and we have not got enough room to keep him here for more than a couple days (no spair bed space, just a sofa) so he may need to go to some kind of sheltered housing, is this possible?

[hugglebug]

He will need to transfer on to ESA, he may be entitled to DLA but I would say it's unlikely at this stage. If he is not able to return to yours or Mums then he may be able to go in to a supported unit but obviously spaces are very limited. most likely they may ask the council for emergency housing for him. hope all goes well.

[madmouse]

Go make an appointment at Citizen's Advice, they can do a benefit check.

He cannot claim DLA at the moment as he has not had the condition long enough and hopefully it will not persist for long enough.

[hugglebug]

He will need to transfer on to ESA, he may be entitled to DLA but I would say it's unlikely at this stage. If he is not able to return to yours or Mums then he may be able to go in to a supported unit but obviously spaces are very limited. most likely they may ask the council for emergency housing for him. hope all goes well.

[DurhamDurham]

I think to get DLA you need to have had care/mobility needs for 6 months and continue to have them for at least the next 6 months. ESA is his sbest bet.

[Marne]

Thank you, i think dh said he would phone the job center (where he's ment to be signing on) on monday, he has been depressed for a while and the job center know's that he was having issues last time he signed on as dh went in with him to explain (that was just before he got worse). At the moment he is in a open phyc hospital so its similar to a supported unit, he can come and go as he pleases (even though we don't feel he is safe to do so). Fingers crossed its not a long term thing and in a week or 2 he will be a lot better.

[summer111]

Marne, dh is right to inform the jobcentre ASAP of his change in circumstances. Incapacity benefit has been replaced by ESA (Employment and Support Allowance). He can apply for this now - on the form he needs to indicate how his illness is impacting on his inability to function ie poor concentration means he cannot focus on completing a task, poor sleep pattern means that he finds it difficult getting up in the morning, difficulty in being around other people means he would struggle in a work environment, etc etc. Any supporting letter from GP or mental health professional will help his application. If he is turned down for ESA he can appeal but if he has recovered sufficiently to be able to look for work he'll advised to claim JSA. However, he should make sure he is seen by the DEA (Disability Employment Advisor) at the Jobcentre rather than the standard advisor. DEA's support customers in receipt of JSA who have a health condition or disability back into work.