Thank you for all the comments on my last post. It’s comforting and encouraging to know that I’m not the only one experiencing what I’m going through. The accessible rooms post is coming, keep a lookout! Somehow when I sat down to write it, this happened instead.
Severe Disability Premium benefit – What is it?
Wanting to work I contacted a support service. They told me that I’m better off on benefits and that I should apply for the Severe Disability Premium benefit. This is an extra £66.95 a week on top of my other benefits if I qualify. This was the first time I’d heard of this benefit and the top-up would make life easier. An individual is only eligible if they already receive certain benefits usually income-related like Income Support Allowance together with a disability benefit like Personal Independence Payment.
Is Severe Disability Premium benefit means-tested?
Yes, it is. I’m not entitled because I have savings of over £6,000 and I live with my parent’s who aren’t on any benefits. If I had savings less than £1500 I would’ve been sent a form to fill in that asks me to declare my income.
Am I too disabled to work?
Advised by my support service that because of my needs, working would probably impact negatively on my benefits. This means I could be expected to pay for the entirety of my care package which I can’t afford! My care package still hasn’t been agreed on and no progress has been made since December!
I want to pay for myself, I don’t want to be a burden on society. My plan was and still is, to work but how can I when society seems designed to have me sitting at home, wilting from boredom? I know people with care needs do work and have care packages that give them choice and freedom. What I can’t work out is how? I’m on a roundabout that has been going around the same issues continuously for five years! I’m just not getting anywhere!
Volunteering is monitored even if it is unpaid work
I’m helping to create an access map of the Jewellery Quarter in Birmingham. This will improve access to the many museums and heritage sites of this area. Currently, I’m just collecting information on the access that’s already available. We are encouraging museums to get involved in improving their access. consequently, these interesting places are accessible to more people. When I volunteer DWP have said I have to fill in a form whenever I start any work paid or unpaid.
I appreciate any thoughts/comments that you have. My post on accessible rooms will hopefully be up next week.
Should I continue writing about my life or just stick to my ideas and reviews? Let me know here.
