Hi Ladies,
just wondering if anyone on tax credits is getting the extra disability allowance. I did get this for the two years that I had the lowest form of DLA but it stopped when the DLA stopped. I was speaking to a lady from citizens advice in our local support group and this jaust came up in cinversation, she is under the impression that I should still have the extra tax allowance even though the DLA has stopped as I am still considered diabled under the DDA - anyone know if this is correct.
angie
I would give the tax credits people a ring. I’ve actually usually found them helpful - they even told me what to put in my appeal letter when they overpaid me!! - even if their efficiency has meant getting 12 letters in one day!!!
I don’t think us being protected by DDA has any relevance to the tax credits we can claim. As far as I remember from conversations I’ve had with the tax credits people and the paperwork I’ve completed, it is only when you are getting DLA that you get the extra tax credits.
Does your hospital have a MacMillan nurse or centre or try ringing the MacMillan benefits helpline? They would have the most up to date info.
Are you sure you are still not entitled to DLA at all?
Good luck - I’ve often found that whilst there are many excellent Citizens advice bureau people, many just talk off the top of their heads when they should be following the written guidelines in their office and get confused about benefits unless they are the dedicated one with the expertise.
My Macmilan centre has a specialist benefits officer.
Good luck
Kate
If you need benefit advice your CAB should be able to help you - or even Age Concern as they do deal with younger people.
All advice given should come from the dedicated CAB Information System, and there should be no confusion at all - if given incorrect info you have the right to challenge, an adviser who is unsure will ask for support from her Session Supervisor/Manager who will ensure the correct info is given. DLA is given for the effects of the Cancer, not for the Cancer itself i.e. if it leaves you in a disabled state/unable to carry out your ‘activites of daily living’ - but do ensure you seek help with completion of this very complex application form. Even for an experienced person they can take between 2 - 3 hours to complete.
Hi Kate,
just to let you know that I did contact Tax Credits and guess what - even though my DLA had finished I was still entitled the disability element of tax credits.
Good - I’m glad for you. They keep that quiet don’t they. I think you should start a new thread so that others know about this. It’s a nightmare of a system isn’t it.
well done.
Kate
I find this very interesting as get disability living allowance and incapacity benefit due to a knackered knee and lymphodema in both arms. Could I qualify for tax credits on any additional earnings (ie. saving, pension)? Currently in the process of applying for a (small) early retirement pension from my local authority job that I left a while ago and feel I’ve paid enough of my due to the tax man so far!
Will have to look into this (thank for the info)
Roberta
xx
Hi Roberta,
as far as I’m aware you can only get tax credits if you are working 16 or more hours a week but if you go onto taxcreditsonline you will get all their information.
Roberta - i think the same as angie that youneed to be working for at least 16 hrs a week to get tax credits but if you are retired then I thought there was a government pension tax credit to make up shortfalls. You need to go to the Citizens advice or MacMillan benefits advice line.
Good luck
Kate
Is this linked to Statutory Sick Pay, so the disability element of tax credits isn’t applicable until the employer stops paying sick pay?
I think we need to have a page on this forum that contains benefit info as I often don’t have the strength to argue to find out my rights of what we are entitled to.
Best of luck to you all
Kate
no, the disability element is applicable through your own sick pay period and then the 28 weeks of statutory sick - tax credits will stop once you go onto incapacity benefit.
To get this all it takes is a phone call to tax credits and they will run through their requirements for the disability element but would advise you to look this up on tax credits online and read through the criteria.