Tribunal for IB is a WINNER!!!

What is going on??? I won on the 15th June, as of today 8th July some 16 working days later I am non the richer and getting annoyed!

For the first 13 weeks I took the £46 reduced rate Income Support. When trying to get a Crisis Loan I was advised by JobCentre that I could apply for Job Seekers and receive an extra £20 per week. This site and DWP state that there is no inference taken by the appeal process in doing so. However, now it has caused a pile of confusion.

My incapacity claim has been re-opened from the date of stoppage but then closed at the point I took JSA. They are saying that as I claimed JSA I must be fit for work and therefore IB is not payable for the period!!!!

This is an ongoing issue and I will update as and when I get more news - but has anyone here been in this situation and got it sorted?

Peter. I think the information you have been given by Jobcentre Plus is wrong, unless I have missed something.

It is my understanding that if you win an IB appeal, all the money you have lost out on (ie the difference between what you have received and what you would have if you had not been forced to appeal) is backdated to when you were deemed fit for work. The fact you have claimed some reduced income support and some JSA should not make any difference.

Just as an update and clarification for those in similar circumstances, I can now confirm that I have recieved all the back benefits owed over and above the IS and JSA which I received pending the appeal. I also received five instances of cold weather payments which I didn't get last winter as I would have done had the IB been in force at the time.

For the most part the staff I spoke to at DWP were unhelpful and not at all aware of what as required to be done in my circumstance. However, I discovered one absolute diamond of a lady who listened to my concerns, took ownership of the problems and followed it through to its successful conclusion and kept me informed by phone on each step of the way. An absolute jewel who I know only as "Ann". If all staff at DWP were as effective as this lady our troubles would be greatly reduced. I have written a letter to the manager of the department to commend her - whether she gets to hear of it I have no idea - I hope she does.

Anyhow - for those of you still in the system, don't give up, keep your spirits up as best you can, there is a light at the end of the tunnel, albeit it is often a twisty old route.