Are we entitled to anything?

[Howmanysleepstilchristmas]

DH has become increasingly disabled (multiple conditions) over the last year and a half and has had no income for the last year. He kept thinking it’d improve so didn’t claim, but has finally given in. UC allocated zero because of my wage, though we only have £800 a month to feed our family/ pay petrol for my work after bills/ mortgage. The account doesn’t mention the reduced capability for work bit, and they said that hasn’t been reviewed yet. He’s applied for PIP and ESA too, but apparently it’s 75 days for a PIP decision and wouldn’t be paid until months after if granted. Is this right? Is there any hope he may be eligible for something? Is there anything I’ve missed, or any help available sooner? I know we should have applied earlier but he’s never wanted to stop working and it felt like giving up.

Yes that’s right. LWRCA also doesn’t pay /backdate for the first 3 months of entitlement.
PIP takes as long as it takes there’s no way to hurry it up - I waited ten months for my pip claim!

Does your disabled child get benefits as that would probably open up entitlement to Universal Credit for you?

Plenty of families can't afford school dinners so take a packed lunch instead

No disabled child, thankfully!

Your DH should claim benefits; because they pay the National Insurance contributions if he is not working. These contributions pay towards other benefits & his state pension.

Good luck

Is mine the only school that doesn’t have this option???

I used to do packed lunches in primary school, but our secondary doesn’t allow it

I know this sounds unbelievably patronising but have you emailed the school to say you want to do packed lunch? I have never heard of a school that refuses packed lunches as a choice. Is this hearsay from another parent?

There are some documented schools that don’t allow packed lunches but it would be incredibly unlucky if the ops children go to one these handful.

What are his conditions? You might be able to get a reduction in council tax.
How much do you earn? Did you say you were his carer on the uc claim?
You might need to claim UC again when the other things come in.
Don't cancel insurances but you can try and cut back on food bills, I know its not fun but can you write a meal plan and then just but what you need.
Go through your bank account DDs and check you need everything you are paying for.

Are you in England? I’ve never heard of a school here that doesn’t allow pack lunches apart from some private schools.

It may be because of the concrete thing- the old lunch hall is affected- but not sure if it was an option previously as they were primary age then, but the welcome booklet was clear on no packed lunch.

No carers allowance because I work 45h weeks which allegedly doesn’t leave me time (in stark contrast to reality!)

edited because I overshared!

There are only massive delays with PIP renewals, not so much with PIP first claims which they are prioritising. In our area most of my clients are getting awarded PIP within around 3 months of applying.

You cannot claim carers allowance currently unless your husband is awarded daily living PIP. If you earn more than £197 a week you cannot claim carers allowance but you could still get the carers premium of UC added to your UC claim ( if/ when PIP is awarded ) if you qualify for UC as there is no earnings limit on the UC carers element. It can take around a month to start being paid ESA as long as he has paid enough NI contributions in the past 2-3 years. It is only around £92 a week though initially and is deducted in full from UC anyway. Your earnings must be reasonable if you have kids and are still getting no UC- have you checked all the elements are correct on your statement ? Are the child/ childrens elements on there?

That is both ludicrous and discriminatory (not as per the equalities legislation but in terms of lower income families). I would say to the school that you can’t afford school dinners and will be sending packed lunch. What are they going to do?

Who told you this? That isn’t correct. You need to be caring for at least 35 hours a week but this can be overnight or evenings or weekends. People who work full time can still be carers. As PPs have said this may qualify you for the Carers Element of UC but your seething will be too high for Carers Allowance.

Well that’s tough shit. If you can’t afford it you can’t afford it. People are struggling in a cost of living crisis, and need to be pushing back at schools on this shit. I would be writing to the governors and my MP about this. It’s really not on at all.

What type of work did DH do? Some professions are able to claim charitable help. Also may be worth calling CAB as they will know about any local community shop arrangements - you pay a weekly amount and get groceries worth more than what you pay. Sorry not explaining that very well!

Thank you. That's good then.

Depends what your “bills” are/ what does this include and can you pay any less on them? Your pre-bills income could be a lot higher than someone who pays out a lot less in outgoings. Does it include credit for expensive cars, subscriptions, gym etc?

If he paid into a pension can’t he take ill health retirement if he can’t work?

Your shopping bill is high so scope to reduce. £50 a month for school dinners works out at just over £2 a day so not sure you could get cheaper by using packed lunch.

Do you get child benefit?

Marriage allowance re income tax if you’re a basic rate tax payer?

No car loan (no expensive car either!), no gym (couldn’t justify the cost even then), only subscriptions were Netflix and sky, both of which I’ve cancelled now. Basically utilities, mortgage, car tax, life/ home/ pet/ contents insurance/tv licence/ broadband/ pay as you go mobile.