Hi, I’m sure you will be able to answer my queries. I have had a letter about the new ESA benefits, but I am confused. Which benefit is it supposed to replace ? I have both IB and DLA and am so confused by it. Is the new benefit means tested and were/are the DLA (supposidly indefinateley) and IB means tested ? I know that the ESA is trying to get people back into work. I had a phone call on wednesday by a very aggresive man saying that I would receive the form in the next 4 weeks and will need to fill it in straight away and return it. It was almost as if I was a criminal for daring to be ill. I would swap my illness for his job anyday and see how he likes it. He got me so worked up that I have had to be put on stronger antidepressants from the doctor, who said that noway would I be able to work. I know the government are trying to stop a lot of benefit payment to fraudulant claims and I totally agree with it. So if anyone has any answers to the questions in my post can you help my mind with an answer, I would be most grateful.
Hi Bill IB is been replaced with ESA (employment support allowance) and as far as I know it’s not means tested. May I suggest you join www.benefitsandwork.co.uk they do charge a small fee of less than £20 for the year but honestly the information is invaluable. I got so much info from them don’t know how I would have managed without it. x
ESA replaces IB. Over the next year everyone who is currently on IB will get that phone call and the subsequent form.
The form is the ESA50 and needs filling in carefully. Bambi19 has given you the best advice –to join Benefits and Work. Their guide to filling in the dreaded form is first class.
ESA has two groups – the Support Group (for people who will never work again) and The Work Related Activity Group for people who may get back into work with support. Means testing depends on which group you are in. The support Group get contribution based ESA indefinitely (based on NI contributions with no regard to other means) People in the WRAG get contribution based for just 12 months. After 12 months it becomes means tested. It is very hard to get into the support group and many people who should be there are placed in the WRAG and have to appeal.
I know that it is easier said than done but try to keep calm and just go with the flow. This is a process that everybody is having to go through but you will only help yourself by filling in the form with the best information you can and attending medicals/tribunals ready to explain yourself. You will not be able to put your case if you get in a ruffle. Believe me I understand because after many years on IB I am waiting for the phone call myself.
Jane
PS Your GP sounds helpful. You could get a letter from him to submit as medical evidence to support what you say on the form.
Hi Jane. Just reading your reply to Bill. I noticed that you said that people put in the support group will get their ESA indefinitely. I am very happy to hear that as I thought we could still be called again to be assessed. Have nothing more to add to bill’s query as he has got some very good advice already.
Sorry Mary - what I meant was that you would get contribution based ESA indefinitely - no that still is misleading. Let me try again.
As long as you are entitled to ESA and in the support group you will get contribution based payments and not be subjected to means testing.
Unfortunately even people in the support group will be subjected to regular reassessments. So long as you keep in the support group your payments are safe.
I got a letter on Friday (16/11/12) telling me to go to leith Job center for a fit for work interview on Wednesday 21st November, I just know I’m going to get bullied, such is life with secondary progressive MS.
Stuart, I’ve got my interview 7th Dec and I’m dreading it wish the knew how hard it was living with this disease I’d happily not have MS and be able to function in the home day to day on top of doing a job, good luck on the 21st x
hi, just been reading replies and i too am dreading getting the call. Does that mean then, that I will not be entitled to anything anyway, cos i haven’t paid any national insurence? if that’s the case, are there any other benefits i can claim, or will I be left to starve? i’m really worried now, love Bex xxx
At the risk of popping in and out of this thread like a bad penny I’ll try and answer again.
You sound as though you have been on IB. If that is the case your NI contributions will have been paid. I haven’t worked for many years but I’ve got enough NI to claim contributory benefits thanks to IB.
If you are a new ESA claimant with no (or not enough) NI contributions you need to claim income based benefits. All these benefits are dependant on other money coming into the household so if you would not get any ESA you wouldn’t get income support either. If you are single, with no other means your ESA would continue to be paid as normal, it is only people with other money that get the benefit stopped.
Im in a muddle with contributory WRAG group which my son is in. Hes now lost his 12 week job under permitted work rules. Ive now found out that he will have to pay for prescriptions and dental treatment. Im so mixed up about it, when he claimed disabled working tax credit a few years ago he didnt have to pay, but now theyve shifted him onto contributory ESA I assume he will have to, even though hes no other income?
Ive asked if he can go back onto income based ESA WRAG? He stated at the medical assessment ‘I want to work’ even though hes not capable of ‘doing any job’! Hes over 18 and his carer (me) has no say in the matter.
Ive written to the DWP as his appointee to clarify, but I doubt we shall understand the rules. Can anyone clear this one up for me?
Can anyone tell me if I am entitled to ESA or any benefits. I am currently working 25 hours a week and have rrms and my relapses are more frequent now so I cud do with dropping my hours but just can’t afford to. Could I claim anything as I am finding it very hard.
Unfortunately you are in a benefit hole. ESA is for people who are unable to work and doesn’t really allow for part time work. There is a proviso that you can work less than 16 hours and still claim but only for 12 months so it’s not a long-term solution. Also it is hard to do an initial claim and show that you meet the criteria but can still work. The part time work element is really aimed at easing people back into work who have been ill but are now getting better.
Working Tax credits are there to help people on low incomes but are dependent on age and circumstances. If you are disabled you can claim WTC if you work 16 or more hours. It does however depend on your partner’s income. If you have a working partner and no children your joint income needs to be under £18,000
Hi Jane your advice is always brilliant and I’d like to ask for some myself please? I have been claiming ESA since 2010 and was initially put into the contribution based WRAG which I disagreed with because I knew I should have been put into the support group as I ‘scored’ 21 points, but I didn’t appeal because I was worn out by the whole process and just decided to leave well enough alone. After the 12 month eligibilty period had passed I was reassessed and told I would be staying in that group. My MS had got far worse so I decided to appeal this time and with the support of my brilliant MP I was switched to the contribution based Support Group and I was very relieved not to have to fight this bliddy awful system anymore. I had to give up working 31/2 years ago and have been living off my savings so now have very little left and it would really benefit me to be in the income related SG instead so I could get free dental treatment, prescriptions, winter fuel payments etc because I am struggling to make ends meet now. Sorry for rambling on but basically my question is how easy/hard is it to get switched from contribution based to income based ESA please? I am so afraid of rocking the boat and starting their witch hunt off again. MTIA
I’m not sure that it’s a choice. You either have the NI contributions or you don’t. Their first choice is always contribution based. (For most people this is exactly what they want because it doesn’t take into account partner’s earnings) unfortunately it precludes you from health benefits.
There is another scheme, which gives help with heathcare costs to people on low incomes who do not qualify any other way.
The amount of help is dependant on circumstances. You can get full help or part help
How to apply for help on the low income scheme
To apply for either a full help certificate (HC2) or a limited help certificate (HC3), complete form HC1, which is available from local benefit offices, NHS hospitals, dentists, opticians and pharmacists. Form HC1 can also be ordered online at www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk. You do not have to wait until you need treatment before you apply for a certificate. Send the completed form HC1 to:
NHS Business Services Authority
Sandyford House
Archibald Terrace
Newcastle Upon Tyne
NE2 1DB
Tel: 0845 850 1166
E-mail: lis1@ppa.nhs.uk
Website: www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk.
