Can by partner get benefit?

Question

Can my partner get disability money as he has Cyclothymia, he finds it difficult to form relationships ?

My partner has been diagnosied with clothymia and I was wondering if he would get disability money, he is unable to work as he finds many situations difficult and his medication prevents him from working

Answer 1

He would have to apply for Disability Living Allowance.  They make their decisions on an individual basis, so no-one on hear can give you a definitive answer.

Answer 2

Possibly DLA, his GP should know if he would qualify. It would come in to the personal care/support side, rather than mobility.

Prepare for a really long application form. I am surprised anyone gets this as the form would put 99% of people off.

Answer 3

If your partner has been working and now is unable to work due to ill health he should be able to claim Incapacity Benefit.  However, this will be dependant on whether he scores enough points on the Mental Health Section of the Personal Capability Assessment.  Sometimes this are done by completing a form where you answer the questions by ticking the box that is nearest to your level of capability/how your condition affects you.  However, more freqently these days people are being sent to see the doctor the DWP use.  For mental health conditions he would just ask the questions, but for physical conditions he would get people to actually perform tasks.  Your partner would also need to obtain medical certificates from his GP.

Incapacity Benefit is for people who are unfit to work and this will  change to Employment Support Allowance in October this year for new claimants.

Incapacity Benefit and Disability Living Allowance are two entirely different benefits.  Incapacity is an income replacement benefit like Jobseekers Allowance and Income Support, whereas Disability Living Allowance can be claimed whether you are employment or not working, by anyone who has a condition which is disabling ie causes impairment can apply.  Disability Living Allowance is made up of two components, Mobility Component which has a Low and High Rate, and Care Component which has Low, Middle and High Rate.  For each rate of each component there is criteria which needs to be met.  

It is not what condition you have that gets you the benefit but how it affects you.  

I would suggest that your partner applies for Disability Living Allowance but part of the art of getting the benefit is completing the form correctly so I would suggest that he contact DIAL (Disability Information Advice Line) if there is one in your area for help or any other local disability organization which helps complete the forms.  I personally would only use the CAB as a last resort.

If your partner hasn't claimed Incapacity benefit and wants to he will need to contact your local Jobcentreplus Office.

Feel free to contact me if you want further benefit help (I do know the criteria for the DLA rates and I could sent you the questions asked and scoring sheet for the Personal Capability Assessment for Incapacity Benefit), or alternatively you can contact the Benefit Enquiry Line for people with disabilities on 0800 88 22 00

Answer 4

I doubt it to be honest.

The best thing is to speak to your GP and explain or call the citizens advice bureau who would be able to help you more.