severe disablement allowance

Hi
I am not sure if anyone can help with this but I really don't know what to do.

I receive income support (as well as incapacity benefit and dla) and part of that is something I think is called 'severe disablement allowance' - it increases the amount the government says I need to live on.

In September my 18 year old son left to go to university, and a month ago the DWP stopped ALL my income support while they investigated where he was.

Now they are saying he still lives with me! I think it is because I told them his bed is still in his room with his old toys, and he will come back here in the holidays, which is true.

I don't know what to do. Is this normal? Am I supposed to throw his stuff out completely and tell him not to come back at all? I feel sick and can't eat or sleep and frankly I wish I was dead.

Thanks for any help.

Sorry to hear about your problems with the DWP.

It is probably the severe disability premium (SDP) that is payable with Income Support to which you refer as opposed to Severe Disablement Allowance (SDA), which was abolished for new claimants in April 2001? Rules for the receipt of SDP can be complicated but the general qualifying conditions are detailed in Premiums for Disabled People.

In the situation as described you really need independent face-to-face advice about your difficulties with your IS entitlement, in which case you can download our FREE, 12 page guide entitled "Getting help with your benefits" from the Other resources.

Thank you for your reply. I am sorry I got the name of the benefit all wrong - you are right that it is SDP.

I have looked at the info, and I don't live alone - I have another child at home - but the DWP have always known that. I have emailed one of the disability organisations in your guide to ask them for advice - my problem is compounded by the fact I cannot use the phone or leave the house to get advice.

Thanks again for your help.

From what you have said, I don't know if it is mental health problems which cause you difficulty in using the 'phone and going out, but if so you could try Mind if you haven't already contacted that organisation. They often employ advocacy workers who may be able to help?

See Mind.

If you have a child living at home and he/she is a non-dependent ie a child for whom you receive Child Benefit, they are usually not counted in deciding whether you live alone, but you should check the position with an advice agency if possible?

hi dee
i too was in the same position as yourself 3 years ago my son left college to go to uni and i stopped getting child benefit in sept. when my CB stopped DWP stopped my SDP and income support as they said i was not classed as living alone.

i told DWP my son had left to go to uni and did not live with me, i had to get a letter from his uni to confirm what course he was on and a letter from his landlord to prove he was living elsewhere and not with me.

once i sent these of to DWP they re-instated my SDP and income support.

try not to worry too much once DWP have the proof your son is at uni and not living with you they should re-instate your income support.

Thank you for the replies.

They haven't asked me for letters from his uni - they are saying I told them he was living with me, which I certainly have not! And they asked me all kinds of stuff about his old bedroom, his things, his post etc. And they asked me where he will live in 4 years when he has finished uni, which I really don't know. Now they want to know how much he earns (?!)
Did they do this to you cbrad?

I have another child at home but they are 17 and at college so I get child benefit for them. They haven't asked me anything about them.