Seriously down over benefits :(

Maidenet · Jan 30th, 2012, 06:30 AM

I was on incapacity benefit and dla long term, but obviously because I'm pregnant they wanted to switch me to income support..... Just been on the phone and because my partner now does over 24hrs a week i dont qualify.

So now I've lost the incapacity benefit and I don't qualify for maternity allowance as I'm not on income support or employed

I dont no what to do.

What I used to get helped with the bills, so without it we are screwed. I've been sat crying all morning now.

kat2504 · Jan 30th, 2012, 06:34 AM

You need to take this up again with the benefits people and get a second opinion, possibly appeal. You should still be entitled to your DLA surely? I'm not sure, if you aren't able to work anyway, why they would switch you because you are pregnant? Sex discrimination perhaps - you are being disadvantaged due to being female - a man would not lose his DLA in this way.
I think perhaps the CAB might be able to advise you.

Maidenet · Jan 30th, 2012, 06:39 AM

I would still get dla but I'm only on the lowest rate. I don't understand why they want me on jobseekers when I can't! Argh x

kat2504 · Jan 30th, 2012, 06:41 AM

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTax...le/DG_10011816

None of the rules about DLA mention not being entitled to it if you are pregnant. The money is to help you with your disability. Presumably being pregnant does not stop you being disabled!! Nowhere does it say that your partners income is assessed.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTax...ed/DG_10018913

Again, nowhere under incapacity benefit does it mention pregnancy. Presumably you would not suddenly be capable of working just because you have had a baby! However, they have changed this benefit unfortunately (evil coalition government) and because you haven't been working you aren't entitled to contributions based ESA (the new benefit) and you can't get income related either because your partner works. They are getting everyone off incapacity as much as possible and putting them on ESA.

But there is no excuse for taking DLA off you.

bubbles19 · Jan 30th, 2012, 06:41 AM

its because ur not over 29 weeks hun. once your 29 weeks they will put you on income support as you will be classed as unable to work x

feeble · Jan 30th, 2012, 06:43 AM

you should be elligable for tax credits now hun

kat2504 · Jan 30th, 2012, 06:43 AM

It isn't jobseekers - it's Employment Support Allowance. So they don't expect you to be seeking a job. It's a rubbish name for the benefit really because nobody on it will be looking for work! I think they have changed the name to make it sound more "temporary" as the word incapacity makes it sound like you'll never be able to work, whereas the new name makes it sound like you might get back into work. Which, for some disabled people, is utter horseshit.

I don't think it's actually because of your pregnancy now I have been reading into this. They seem to be doing this to all people claiming incapacity benefit.

mummy2b2010 · Jan 30th, 2012, 06:44 AM

Yeh i was gonna say u should be entitled to income support once u reach 29 weeks,i would defo CAB hunnie and see what they suggest..hope they manage to sort it for you...stress isnt good for u or the baby so they nee a boot up there backsides xxx

kat2504 · Jan 30th, 2012, 06:44 AM

Bubbles she can't claim income support because her partner works.

Maidenet · Jan 30th, 2012, 06:45 AM

Is that why? He told me its because my partner does 30hrs a week xx its stupid and i feel like I'm being set up.... Why would being pregnant like you have said, make a disability go away?

I'm so confused. Thanks for all the info ladies xxx

Jan 30th, 2012, 06:30 AM	#1
Maidenet Pregnant (Expecting) BnB Addict Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: UK, Grimsby Posts: 2,514	Seriously down over benefits :( I was on incapacity benefit and dla long term, but obviously because I'm pregnant they wanted to switch me to income support..... Just been on the phone and because my partner now does over 24hrs a week i dont qualify. So now I've lost the incapacity benefit and I don't qualify for maternity allowance as I'm not on income support or employed I dont no what to do. What I used to get helped with the bills, so without it we are screwed. I've been sat crying all morning now.

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Jan 30th, 2012, 06:34 AM	#2
kat2504 Pregnant (Expecting) BnB Addict Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Northamptonshire, UK Posts: 5,295	You need to take this up again with the benefits people and get a second opinion, possibly appeal. You should still be entitled to your DLA surely? I'm not sure, if you aren't able to work anyway, why they would switch you because you are pregnant? Sex discrimination perhaps - you are being disadvantaged due to being female - a man would not lose his DLA in this way. I think perhaps the CAB might be able to advise you.

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Jan 30th, 2012, 06:39 AM	#3
Maidenet Pregnant (Expecting) BnB Addict Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: UK, Grimsby Posts: 2,514	I would still get dla but I'm only on the lowest rate. I don't understand why they want me on jobseekers when I can't! Argh x

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Jan 30th, 2012, 06:41 AM	#4
kat2504 Pregnant (Expecting) BnB Addict Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Northamptonshire, UK Posts: 5,295	http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTax...le/DG_10011816 None of the rules about DLA mention not being entitled to it if you are pregnant. The money is to help you with your disability. Presumably being pregnant does not stop you being disabled!! Nowhere does it say that your partners income is assessed. http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTax...ed/DG_10018913 Again, nowhere under incapacity benefit does it mention pregnancy. Presumably you would not suddenly be capable of working just because you have had a baby! However, they have changed this benefit unfortunately (evil coalition government) and because you haven't been working you aren't entitled to contributions based ESA (the new benefit) and you can't get income related either because your partner works. They are getting everyone off incapacity as much as possible and putting them on ESA. But there is no excuse for taking DLA off you.

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Jan 30th, 2012, 06:41 AM	#5
bubbles19 Mum (Mom) Chat Happy BnB Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: portsmouth, UK Posts: 1,102	its because ur not over 29 weeks hun. once your 29 weeks they will put you on income support as you will be classed as unable to work x

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Jan 30th, 2012, 06:43 AM	#6
feeble Pregnant (Expecting) Chat Happy BnB Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 2,472	you should be elligable for tax credits now hun

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Jan 30th, 2012, 06:44 AM	#8
mummy2b2010 Mum (Mom) Chat Happy BnB Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Somerset Posts: 2,382	Yeh i was gonna say u should be entitled to income support once u reach 29 weeks,i would defo CAB hunnie and see what they suggest..hope they manage to sort it for you...stress isnt good for u or the baby so they nee a boot up there backsides xxx

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Jan 30th, 2012, 06:45 AM	#10
Maidenet Pregnant (Expecting) BnB Addict Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: UK, Grimsby Posts: 2,514	Is that why? He told me its because my partner does 30hrs a week xx its stupid and i feel like I'm being set up.... Why would being pregnant like you have said, make a disability go away? I'm so confused. Thanks for all the info ladies xxx

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