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Severe Disablement Allowance
- JF
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2 years 8 months ago #270026 by JF
Severe Disablement Allowance was created by JF
Hi Can anyone advise me. When I went on to pension 2.5 years ago I lost my severe disablement allowance and was awarded pension credit instead. I have phoned pension credit and they say SDA is a working age benefit. Is this correct. As I understand my old severe disablement allowance was not means tested but pension credit is. Also the pension credit I get is a bit less than the old severe disablement allowance. Should it have continued instead of pension credit? I do get higher rate PIPS so should SDA have continued rather than pension credit?
Thanks
Jo
Thanks
Jo
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- LL26
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2 years 8 months ago #270058 by LL26
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by LL26 on topic Severe Disablement Allowance
Hi JF,
As far as I am aware SDA overlaps with State pension, this means that your SP amount can be topped up to your full SDA entitlement, including any age related addition. The top up is done via pension Credit.
As a bit of history to explain things (which might be relevant to other forum users,) SDA was a benefit for people who were unable to work - it is a predecessor to ESA. The rate was a flat rate- you were paid this irrespective of your savings etc. However, this benefit was not longer available for new claimants after 2001. Prior to state pension age you would need to show an 80% disablement to achieve SDA. (The % criteria was usually determined by a fixed list, such as amputation of both hands, or absolute deafness etc.)
Once you reach age 65 you can continue to receive SDA (or equivalent via Pension Credit) even if you no longer are incapable of work or have 80% disablement, provided that you were entitled to SDA immediately before your 65 birthday. You will not need to send in medical certificates.
I think you should contact a welfare benefits advice centre to ask for a full benefits check. (You will need to take with you details of all your income, benefits or other, and details of any savings. This is for you, and any partner with which you live.) If you are on Pension Credits there may be other benefits that you have not claimed and may be entitled to.
I hope this helps.
LL26
As far as I am aware SDA overlaps with State pension, this means that your SP amount can be topped up to your full SDA entitlement, including any age related addition. The top up is done via pension Credit.
As a bit of history to explain things (which might be relevant to other forum users,) SDA was a benefit for people who were unable to work - it is a predecessor to ESA. The rate was a flat rate- you were paid this irrespective of your savings etc. However, this benefit was not longer available for new claimants after 2001. Prior to state pension age you would need to show an 80% disablement to achieve SDA. (The % criteria was usually determined by a fixed list, such as amputation of both hands, or absolute deafness etc.)
Once you reach age 65 you can continue to receive SDA (or equivalent via Pension Credit) even if you no longer are incapable of work or have 80% disablement, provided that you were entitled to SDA immediately before your 65 birthday. You will not need to send in medical certificates.
I think you should contact a welfare benefits advice centre to ask for a full benefits check. (You will need to take with you details of all your income, benefits or other, and details of any savings. This is for you, and any partner with which you live.) If you are on Pension Credits there may be other benefits that you have not claimed and may be entitled to.
I hope this helps.
LL26
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
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