ESA new applicant advice

Kerriehoughton · 19 March 2017 at 12:06PM

Unfortunately my terminal illness has gotten too bad for me to work, after being out of work for 2 years I have now decided to claim ESA. I have paid enough NI contributions to get contribution based, so I am now in the assessment phase. I applied on 1st March, I understand they dont pay you for the first 9 days, I received a payment of £31.33 on Thursday (16th). I'm due £73.10 per week, paid 2 weekly. So I dont understand that payment of £31.33 as I should be paid from the 10th March. When shall I next expect a payment and how much for? I'm about to send my medical assessment form so hopefully wont be waiting long in the assessment phase.

Alice_Holt · 19 March 2017 at 1:30PM

Are you receiving PIP?
See https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/pip/help-with-your-pip-claim/how-to-claim-if-terminally-ill/

If you are suffering from cancer Macmillan have welfare advisers who could help with the application.
http://www.macmillan.org.uk/information-and-support/organising/benefits-and-financial-support/benefits-and-your-rights

I'm afraid I can't help you with payment dates, but this might be useful:
"If you have a terminal illness and are applying for ESA under the special rules:
you should be placed in the ESA support group immediately
the support component can be paid from the beginning of your Employment and Support Allowance award
you can be paid from the date of your claim (without having to go unpaid during the first seven days, known as waiting days)"
From https://www.mariecurie.org.uk/help/money/benefits-entitlements/living-with-terminal-illness/employment-support-allowance

The Support Group rate is £109.30. There may be additional disability premiums if you are entitled to income-based ESA.

With my best wishes.

nannytone_2 · 19 March 2017 at 2:26PM

it is 7 waiting days and not 9.

you are being paid for part of a week probably around 3 days.
your next payment should be 14 days after the initial payment and should be for the full amount.
the day you are paid is set by your national insurance number and not the date of your claim

TELLIT01 · 19 March 2017 at 3:30PM

Alice_Holt wrote: »

I'm afraid I can't help you with payment dates, but this might be useful:
"If you have a terminal illness and are applying for ESA under the special rules:
you should be placed in the ESA support group immediately
the support component can be paid from the beginning of your Employment and Support Allowance award

I don't wish to seem insensitive but the definition of 'terminal illness' for immediate placement in the Support Group under Special Rules, is a terminal prognosis in the next 6 months. If that is not the case, despite being terminally ill, normal qualification processes apply.

Torry_Quine · 19 March 2017 at 4:08PM

Kerriehoughton wrote: »

Unfortunately my terminal illness has gotten too bad for me to work, after being out of work for 2 years I have now decided to claim ESA. I have paid enough NI contributions to get contribution based, so I am now in the assessment phase. I applied on 1st March, I understand they dont pay you for the first 9 days, I received a payment of £31.33 on Thursday (16th). I'm due £73.10 per week, paid 2 weekly. So I dont understand that payment of £31.33 as I should be paid from the 10th March. When shall I next expect a payment and how much for? I'm about to send my medical assessment form so hopefully wont be waiting long in the assessment phase.

If you haven't worked for two years how do you qualify for cotribution based? You also say though your illness has now got too bad to be able to work which sounds like you've just stopped working so these two statements contradict each other.

Kerriehoughton · 19 March 2017 at 8:57PM

Sorry, to be EXACT I haven't worked for 19 months. The NI contributions go off the last 2 tax years, luckily I made my application before the upcoming tax year. Therefore I have enough contributions. I was on the sick for 9 months before finishing work all together, also.

I am terminally Ill, My illness will only get worse and not better but I don't have Cancer. I have Cystic Fibrosis

Thanks to those with information on the payment dates as I asked

ESA new applicant advice

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