2 With Mental Health Problems, Double Claim Or One Claim ?

[feistymiss]

dont know where to put this

it has just crossed my mind and i dont know where i would go for information, so i thought i would post it as a question and see what advice others offered

my husband is my carer, but has mental health problems of his own which he is now seeking support and care for

at the mo i claim for myself, as my husband as my dependent - as i had the home in my name, and a lot of bills are in my name

tho my husband has to offer his support as my carer and take care of these issues when i cannot

he doesnt get any credits for himself, not even NI contributions as i am not on the next level of care

we are in the process of addressing this

and ask which of us is the one who should be making a claim ?

supposing as we are both individuals, and would be asked to a medical assessment alone, not with our partner, for the relevance of our own claims, then would the govt pay for us both to receive benefits ?

neither of us able to work, both needing some level of support .. independent for definition of being an individual only

or are we no longer individuals in the purpose of claiming ?

its made me think of this in the light of him needing his own worth and attention, and i have no experience or knowledge of any household where two disabilities are paid

which one of us, and why not both, are getting our needs met

both on the caring grounds ?

and on the social security grounds ?

does anyone know what i mean and does anyone have any advice ?

thank you

[feistymiss]

can any one post a reply to this please

im just wondering where to go with support for this, if its the wrong forum

thank you

[Barebones]

sry feisty have you tried mind? they deal with this sort of thing.

here is link about them http://www.mind.org.uk/

hope that helps

[feistymiss]

thank you for that Barebones, have emailed them

will let you know what reply i get

thanks !!!

[19ellie]

I didn't reply hun, cos I just don't know !

[feistymiss]

sry feisty have you tried mind? they deal with this sort of thing. here is link about them http://www.mind.org.uk/ hope that helps

hi barebones and ellie19

thank you for your replies

i got in touch with mind and this is their reply

it isnt what i am looking for, but its a helpful start, and i thought the informatiion may be useful to others

so here goes

Thank you for your email dated 26 February.

It sounds like a difficult time for you and your partner. You are both struggling with mental distress and you are unsure what benefits you may be entitled to.

The MindinfoLine is not able to give benefits advice. We provide information about mental health and treatments, and we can locate services for people. However, the following factsheets may help to answer your questions.

http://www.mind.org.uk/Information/Booklet...on+benefits.htm

http://www.mind.org.uk/Information/Factsheets/Carers

There are a number of organisations that may be able to help with your enquiry.

Citizen's Advice

tel: 020 7833 2181

website: www.citizensadvice.org.uk

Citizen's Advice can give free independent benefits advice. Many also run specialist mental health projects.

The Department of Work and Pensions (DWP)

The Benefit Enquiry Line: 0800 882 200 (textphone: 0800 243 355)

A confidential telephone service for people with disabilities, their representatives and their carers. The person taking the call will not have personal papers but will be able to give general advice. This advice should not be taken as a decision.

Dial UK

tel: 01302 310 123 (textphone: 01302 310 123 please use voice announcer)

Dial is a network of 140 local disability information and advice line services.

You could also speak to the Community Legal Advice, who can offer free initial legal information and advice on employment, welfare benefits, housing, education, family and debt. Their helpline number is 0845 345 4345.

One option may be for you to contact an advocate to help with your benefit claims. Advocacy is a process of supporting and enabling people to express their views and concerns, access information and services, defend and promote their rights and responsibilities and explore choices and options. To find out more click:

http://www.mind.org.uk/Information/Booklet...to/advocacy.htm

To help locate an advocate in your area, you could contact the following organisation:

Advocacy Finder Helpline

Tel: 08451 22 86 33 (Monday to Friday, 2.00pm - 5.00pm)

Email: helpline@advocacyresource.net

There are a number of local Mind associations throughout the country and your local office may be able to help. Each local Mind association is a charity in their own right and affiliated to Mind. Each offers different support services dependent on their individual resources which may include benefits advice or advocacy. You would have to contact your local Mind association directly to see what is on offer. Just click:

http://www.mind.org.uk/Mind+in+your+area

I hope this helps.

MindinfoLine

(1026)

Thank you for contacting us. Were we able to help? Please tell us by taking a few minutes to complete our feedback form.

You can do this at http://www.mind.org.uk/About+Mind/Mindinfoline/survey.htm

Another assault: Mind's campaign for equal access to justice for people with mental health problems

Mind's new research exposes shockingly high levels of bullying, harassment and exploitation experienced by people with mental health problems while living in the community.

Mind believes everyone has an equal right to personal safety, and that people experiencing mental distress have the same rights to justice as anyone else.Sign our petition to the government at: http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/anotherassault/

Find out more about the campaign: www.mind.org.uk/anotherassault