1. Benefits Guru(not)  Introduction  Employment Support Allowance Incapacity benefit  Reassessing peoples needs  Appeals  Premiums  Housing Benefit  DLA  PIP

2. The DWP ‘Who are they ?’ Dept for Work and Pensions Debt Management Local Authority Disability + Carers Service The Pension Service Job Centre Plus Child Support Agency Council tax reduction Housing Benefit The Employment Service + Benefits Agency AKA Dole Office DHSS DSS The Social Labour exchange

3. Personal Allowances (or basic entitlements) Employment and Support Allowance Time period Circumstance Weekly amount First 13 weeks Under 25 - £56.80 First 13 weeks 25 or over - £71.70 From 14 weeks Work Related Activity Group Up to - £100.15 From 14 weeks Support Group Up to - £106.50

4. Reassessing people needs 42% of New Claims Disallowed Need support to complete – Knows you well Worst possible day!!! Can you set an alarm Clock without support? Return form by asking date Photo copy the form before sending relevant information. Appeals – DWP guidance, first dispute the decision ask for reconsideration. Lodge an appeal submit medical evidence

5. Claims and reconsiderations and appeals Claim 08000 556688 or Download form via www.gov.ukwww.gov.uk NB: Benefit may go down as well as up.

6. Appealing to a tribunal You Tube Video on ESA APPEAL Produced by Ministry of Justice

7. Premiums (or extra money to boost your income support council tax reduction or housing benefit) Employment and Support Allowance Carers Premium £26.35 Disability Premium Single £31.00 Couple £44.20 Enhanced Disability Single £15.15 Premium Couple £21.75 Severe Disability Single £59.50 Premium Couple £119

8. Housing Benefit No clear set amounts, lots of IFS BUTS MAYBES Under 35 years – in shared accommodation – one rate approx. £67 each a week. Over 35 years - rent divided by number of tenants Couple is one bedroom rate - £117.92 per week Single Person – One bedroom rate -£117.92 per week

9. Applicable Amount Example A single person support group ESA Personal allowance £106.50 If he receives DLA + Disability premium £31.00 If he receives Higher rate DLA care comp + Enhanced disability premium £15.15 And he lives alone, no one has claimed carers + Allowance for looking after him Severe disability premium £59.50 Applicable Amount = £212.15

10. Disability Living Allowance (DLA) DLA Care Component Higher Rate £79.15 Middle Rate £53 Lower Rate £21 Mobility Component Higher Rate £55.25 Lower Rate £21

11. Personal Independence Payment (PIP) Introduced 10 th June 2013 Replaced Disability Living Allowance. For people that are between 16 and 64 How much benefit will I get. Standard level for whose daily living and mobility is limited. Enhanced level for those whose mobility and daily living is ‘severely limited’

12. How much benefit can I get Benefit LevelDaily Living Component Mobility Component Standard£53£21 Enhanced£79.15£55.25

13. More information Disability Rights Handbook. www.disbilityrightsuk.org www.gov.uk/empoyment-support- alllowencewww.gov.uk/empoyment-support- alllowence