Sample case studies relating to benefits that we have dealt with at East Staffordshire CAB
Sample Case Studies are provided here for guidance purposes only. They should not be taken as the answer to your specific problem. We shall be including more case studies each month, if you do not see something that helps with your situation do not hesitate to obtain advice from your local CAB office.
Click on a question below to view the advice given.
I have to take time off work to have a foot operation. Am I entitled to sick pay and how much will I get.
I'm on a low income, and with the recent big increases in fuel prices, I'm really worried that I'm not going to be able to afford my gas and electricity bills this winter.
I've got a small child and am living on a low income. I've heard that I might be entitled to vouchers to help pay for milk and fresh fruit and vegetables - is this true?
I am on various tablets permanently to treat a chronic health condition but I have been told I don’t qualify for free prescriptions. I’m finding it hard to afford my medication since prescription charges went up again recently and I’m tempted to cut out some of the pills I’ve been told to take to cut down the cost.
Q I'm on a low income, and with the recent big increases in fuel prices, I'm really worried that I'm not going to be able to afford my gas and electricity bills this winter.
A Don't turn off your heating or self-disconnect and be cold - contact your local Citizens Advice Bureau to talk about other options. if you are a pensioner, you are entitled to the winter fuel payment on top of your pension. You may qualify for some extra help such as cold weather payments depending on your circumstances. Even if you're not eligible for any extra help of this kind, there may be ways to cut down on your costs by switching your gas and electricity suppliers, paying by direct debit or getting advice on fuel efficiency, including help with the costs of home improvements like insulation, a new boiler or double glazing. A CAB adviser can also check to make sure that you are getting all you are entitled to by way of benefits and tax credits.
For more information, and to find contact details of your nearest CAB, go to www.adviceguide.org.uk
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Q I've got a small child and am living on a low income. I've heard that I might be entitled to vouchers to help pay for milk and fresh fruit and vegetables - is this true?
A This is under the Government's Healthy Start scheme. Vouchers can be exchanged at various food outlets for free milk, fruit and vegetables, If you get Income Support or income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, you can get healthy start vouchers for any of your children who are under four. If you get Child Tax Credit, your income is low enough, and you are not entitled to Working Tax Credit, your children under four are also entitled to healthy start vouchers. If your child is under one, you can get additional vouchers.
You can also get vouchers if you are at least 10 weeks pregnant and you are getting Income Support or income-based Jobseeker's Allowance. You will also qualify if you get Child Tax Credit but are not getting Working Tax Credit and your income is low enough. If you are a member of the family of someone who is on these benefits and you are pregnant, you can also get healthy start vouchers. A member of the family in this case is an opposite-sex partner, same-sex partner or dependant child of the person who is getting one of these benefits. If you are under 18 and pregnant you are also eligible for vouchers.
To claim healthy start vouchers, fill in a claim form and have it approved by a health professional - for example, a Midwife. Ask your Doctor or Midwife for more details ot go to www.healthystart.nhs.uk If you think you are entitled to the vouchers and don't receive them, or you have any other problems with healthy start vouchers, see someone at your local CAB.
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Q I am on various tablets permanently to treat a chronic health condition but I have been told I don’t qualify for free prescriptions. I’m finding it hard to afford my medication since prescription charges went up again recently and I’m tempted to cut out some of the pills I’ve been told to take to cut down the cost.
A If you have to pay for more than five prescription items in four months, or 14 items in 12 months, you could save money by buying a pre-payment certificate (PPC). Prescriptions in England now cost £6.85 per item (in Wales they are free), whereas a three month PPC costs £26.85 and a 12-month one costs £98.70.
Until recently, an annual pre-payment certificate had to be paid for in a lump sum upfront, but from 1 July you can spread the cost by paying for a 12-month PPC in 10 monthly instalments by Direct Debit.
You can apply online via an NHS website www.ppa.nhs.uk or over the phone (have your credit or debit card details ready) on 0845 850 0030. Some chemists can sell pre-payment certificates so check with your local pharmacy. Alternatively, fill in form FP95, available from pharmacies and doctors surgeries, and send the completed form to: Prescription Pricing Authority
PPC Issue Office, PO Box 854, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE99 2DE.
For more information, or to apply online, go to www.ppa.nhs.uk Some people can get free prescriptions. You should check again whether you could get free prescriptions before buying a PPC. Get a copy of Leaflet HC11 (Help with Health Costs) from your nearest Post Office, chemist or GP surgery. You can also get this by writing to Department of Health, PO Box 777, LONDON SE1 6XH.
For information and advice on this or any other issue go to www.adviceguide.org.uk or contact your local Citizens Advice Bureau.
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Q I have to take time off work to have a foot operation. Am I entitled to sick pay and how much will I get.
A You will be eligible for statutory sick pay (SSP) after you are off work for at least four days in a row and you earn more than £90 a week. This is the minimum amount you can be paid when you are off work sick, but your contract of employment may give you extra rights to more sick pay than this, so check your contract to see what you are entitled to.
Most workers qualify tor SSP, including part-time workers and workers on a fixed-term, contract. Agency workers may also be entitled to SSP but should get advice as the legal situation is complicated. SSP can last for up to 28 weeks, and contractual sick pay may last for longer. Check your employment contract to see if this applies to you.
If you cannot get SSP, or if you have been off sick for more than 28 weeks, your employer should give you form SSP1 and tell you why you cannot get SSP. You can use this form to claim incapacity benefit from your local benefit office if you are not entitled to either SSP or contractual sick pay.
You will be paid either SSP, or, if your contract of employment gives you more pay when you are off sick, you will be paid what it says in your contract. This might not be your normal rate of pay, but it should not be less than SSP.
SSP is paid at a fixed weekly rate of £75.40 if you work full-time, pro-rata for part-timers. If SSP is your only income whilst you are off sick you may be able to claim other benefits such as housing benefit.
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