What earnings replacement benefits might apply?

You are expected to claim any ‘earnings replacement benefits’ (step 1) you may get before making a claim for Income Support to establish a ‘route’ to benefit. In reality you often end up filling an Income Support claim in at the same time as claiming your earnings replacement benefit.

What do you want?

You may have strong feelings about not wanting to claim as being ‘sick’, or you may see yourself as a carer although you know that the caring you do has affected your own health. If you have more than one ‘route’ to earnings replacement benefits (or income support) then it’s a question of balancing what you want along with the different amounts of benefit payable. Remember though that you can claim more than one earnings replacement benefit and just get paid the highest. It might be in your interests because of the effect on means tested benefits.

Is this realistic? What is the most secure route to a claim?

Although you may want to look for work, the stresses of signing on may be too much for you to handle. Or perhaps you think of yourself as a carer but the person you look after doesn’t get the DLA or AA to enable you to qualify for Carer’s Allowance. The claims process is often then about balancing what you want against what will give you the most secure income.

Do top-up means tested benefits apply?

Might you qualify for help from step two on top of  - or instead of - any benefit  from step one?

Are there any ‘extra’ benefits which might be applicable?

Might you qualify for any of the benefits listed in step 3?

Does this affect steps one and two again?

Getting Attendance Allowance or DLA at the middle or higher rates of the Care Component can entitle someone else to claim Carer’s Allowance for looking after you - but check this out first as it sometimes reduces your income.

Getting ‘step three’ benefits may  also entitle you to more money from step two - e.g. getting any rate of DLA will qualify you for a ‘Disability Premium’ under Income Support if you do not have one already, whilst you may also qualify for the ‘Enhanced’ or ‘Severe’ Disability Premium within Income Support for the first time.