Benefits and Allowances

1. Benefits and Allowances 2011

2. Types of allowance • Income related – includes, job seekers, income support, child benefit, tax & housing allowances • Disability related – includes SSP, ESA, DLA, AA, carer’s allowance and more • Other – SMP, SPP, MA

3. Social security act 1975 • General medical services requirement (1992) to provide certification • Certificate is evidence of medical advice regarding capacity for work • Allows individual to make a claim for a state benefit

4. Most Common Certificate types

5. Fit note (Med 3) rules • Keep secure • Only issue one, mark others DUPLICATE • Use ink • Should only be completed by a doctor • Required after 7 days of incapacity • Must assess pt on day or day before issue • Can be issued on strength of another’s report. • Can be issued following telephone consultation. • Opinion based on usual occupation

6. Advantages to getting patient back to work • Improved prognosis • Improved job security • Encourages positive attitudes at work • May be harder for doctor in short term

7. SSP and ESA • Employed people earning >£102 per week entitled to SSP from 8th day • Get £81.60 per week from Employer up to 28 weeks • ESA is paid if not eligible • ESA paid until Independent Work Capability Assessment carried out by DWP

8. Maternity • Mat B • Verifies pregnancy and confirms EDD • Allows claiming SMP from employer • Or MA from DWP if unemployed and eligible • SSP

9. DS1500 • Terminal illness • If death reasonably expected in the nxt 6months • Automatically qualifies them for highest rate DLA/AA • Payment expedited

10. Disability Living Allowance, Attendance & Carers Allowance • DLA/AA paid in cases of Physical/Mental disability or both • Needs to be severe enough to need help with self care/walking or both • < 65 = DLA, >65 = AA • Carers Allowance paid to individual >16 yrs old, caring for someone >35 hrs/wk who is in receipt of DLA/AA • Higher rate paid in cases of terminally ill