THIS popular weekly column deals with welfare rights issues of interest to people living in Wirral.

This week the topic is Severe Disablement Allowance (SDA) and deals specifically with the advantages of claiming the particular benefit. There are similarities between this benefit and Incapacity Benefit but only one of the benefits can be paid.

WHAT IS SDA?

SDA is a benefit that is paid should you claim it when you have been incapable of work for 28 weeks. This benefit is paid to those who do not have enough contributions to qualify for Incapacity Benefit. So, for example, if you are a woman who only paid the married woman stamp, then this benefit may be available to you. If your partner claims for you, it may not increase your benefit but ask at the DSS and get them to confirm it in writing.

FOUR ROUTES TO SDA

There are four routes to qualify for SDA, but this article deals only with the people who can be passported by way of the 80 per cent disablement test. People who are automatically passported include those who get DLA care component at the high rate, have a 75-80 per cent assesment for industrial injuries, have had a vaccine damage payment, registered blind or have a vehicle provided by the DSS, not Motability.

PRIOR TO APRIL 1997

Prior to April 1997 there were five more ways to be passported to SDA. These have now been removed but there is protection for existing claimants. If you were in one of the five categories - getting DLA mobility high rate, DLA care middle rate, mobility war pension, attendance allowance or registered partially sighted - and still in the same period of incapacity, you continue to be passported.

SDA 'OVERLAPPING'

SDA overlaps with other benefits - that is to say that if you get another benefit you cannot get SDA. The rules are quite complicated, but if you get SDA then Incapacity Benefit cannot be paid. Any SDA is deducted from Income Support, for example, so enquire from the DSS if it is worthwhile claiming.

URGENT NEWS - WOMEN

Many women who have a husband who is working may qualify for this benefit. Make enquiries with the DSS.

GETTING ADVICE

There are a number of advice agencies who can help. Many offer free advice so make enquiries first to establish that they deal with this type of work. Some organisations do make a charge, but remember you only get what you pay for.

NEXT WEEK

Next week deals with how disablement is assessed for people not automatically passported.

JIM STRANG COMMENTS

New time to ring Jim Strang is 9.30am to 1.30pm Monday to Friday.

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.