NEW Employment and Support Allowance

allydowd

Love it or hate it the Employment and Support Allowance has now replaced Incapacity Benefit for new claimants from 27 October 2008. If you are already receiving Incapacity Benefit, you will continue to get it as long as you are eligible, but if you're making a new claim it'll be for the new Employment and Support Allowance. You can read about it at:

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/FinancialSupport/esa/DG_171894

http://www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk/JCP/Customers/WorkingAgeBenefits/Dev_015412.xml.html

http://www.dwp.gov.uk/esa/faq-esa.asp

Changes that may happen in the future

Don't panic about this...it's still in the discussion phase:

The new welfare reform green paper, 'No one written off: reforming welfare to reward responsibility', proposes that between 2009 and 2013 all IB claimants will be reassessed using the new ESA work capability assessment. If you pass the assessment you will be transferred over to ESA. If you do not pass the assessment you will be moved onto jobseeker's allowance (JSA). The green paper also proposes that the IB age addition should be abolished from April 2009. However, if you are moved onto ESA, you should receive ‘transitional protection’, which will bring your ESA up to the same level as your existing rate of IB or IS.The green paper also recommends the abolition of income support, replacing IS with either ESA or JSA. As with those on IB you will be reassessed using the new ESA work capability assessment and if you pass the assessment you will be transferred over to ESA. If you do not pass the assessment you will be moved onto JSA.

izzy339_2

Hi
Could you tell me if this affects only the IB or is it DLA also? I receive DLA but am fortunate to be able to work also which the DLA office is fully aware of, will I have to fill those booklet/forms out again?

Sorry but just a bit confused by it all any help is greatly appreciated.

colin13

what ive taken from it all is for IB
the new claiment the test for the benefit will b stricter

IT will not affect DLA this is only my taake on it,may b i am wrong:)

celticmoneysaver

I'm wondering why I suddenly got an IB50 just days before end of current system..
1 Last letter sometime ago said still eligble but no defined period
2.This wasn't the normal time of year that I had heard form them on 4 previous occasions

Should I be concerned
Is there another agenda here..
Would I be better off asking to move to new ESA..which would better cover my condition

allydowd

izzy339 wrote: »

Hi
Could you tell me if this affects only the IB or is it DLA also?
.

DLA isn't changing. You don't need to do anything.

allydowd

celticmoneysaver wrote: »

Would I be better off asking to move to new ESA..which would better cover my condition

Perhaps...I'd do two things:

(1) Go to the Entitled to website and see how you'd be financially if you changed over to ESA.
(2) Contact your local CAB about the IB50 form and ask them for advice about the IB50 thing.

healy

celticmoneysaver wrote: »

I'm wondering why I suddenly got an IB50 just days before end of current system..
1 Last letter sometime ago said still eligble but no defined period
2.This wasn't the normal time of year that I had heard form them on 4 previous occasions

Should I be concerned
Is there another agenda here..
Would I be better off asking to move to new ESA..which would better cover my condition

It is probably just a coincidence that you have received an IB50 to complete.

You cannot choose to move to ESA as it is just for new claimants to begin with.

DigitalFingers_2

I was wondering where I stand after I failed a recent medical assessment for the 2nd time?

May 2009 I was asked to attend the Medical Assessment Centre in Croydon on behalf of the DWP. I was asked various questions in relation to the form that was filled out some weeks beforehand. The results were that I failed the assessment and I was entitled to ESA at a reduced amount if I decided to appeal and the appeal was heard.

December 2009 I had my appeal hearing in Bexleyheath and I got the results 5 days later informing me that I had won. I was awarded my full allowance which was backdated to the date of my appeal letter.

Now however March 2010 (just 3 months) after my appeal hearing, I have been asked to attend another medical assessment. I tried to call the DWP and Atos to explain that I had won my appeal only 3 months ago and should I have to attend yet agian. None of them could tell me why I had to have another examination so soon.

Again I failed the medical assessment, just as I did the first time and now have to go through the whole appeal process again.

Surely this cannot be right...I am beside myself with worry, I have contemplated ending it all and I'm finding it really hard to cope. My money was stopped without notice. I only found out when I got my partner to get some cash for shopping and there was nothing in my account. I suffer from depression and post traumatic stress disorder brought on after a road accident.

What can I do?

dmg24

DigitalFingers wrote: »

I was wondering where I stand after I failed a recent medical assessment for the 2nd time?

May 2009 I was asked to attend the Medical Assessment Centre in Croydon on behalf of the DWP. I was asked various questions in relation to the form that was filled out some weeks beforehand. The results were that I failed the assessment and I was entitled to ESA at a reduced amount if I decided to appeal and the appeal was heard.

December 2009 I had my appeal hearing in Bexleyheath and I got the results 5 days later informing me that I had won. I was awarded my full allowance which was backdated to the date of my appeal letter.

Now however March 2010 (just 3 months) after my appeal hearing, I have been asked to attend another medical assessment. I tried to call the DWP and Atos to explain that I had won my appeal only 3 months ago and should I have to attend yet agian. None of them could tell me why I had to have another examination so soon.

Again I failed the medical assessment, just as I did the first time and now have to go through the whole appeal process again.

Surely this cannot be right...I am beside myself with worry, I have contemplated ending it all and I'm finding it really hard to cope. My money was stopped without notice. I only found out when I got my partner to get some cash for shopping and there was nothing in my account. I suffer from depression and post traumatic stress disorder brought on after a road accident.

What can I do?

Yes, you have to appeal/ apply for a reconsideration again.

DigitalFingers_2

I am waiting for the election business to clear up and will go and see my local MP regarding this issue. It's all bull in my opinion and they can't see how this kind of treatment effects those going through it. Surely there was no need for another medical so soon after winning my appeal.

cit_k

DigitalFingers wrote: »

I am waiting for the election business to clear up and will go and see my local MP regarding this issue. It's all bull in my opinion and they can't see how this kind of treatment effects those going through it. Surely there was no need for another medical so soon after winning my appeal.

Dont worry, your not alone with this problem ,they did exactly the same to me...

I have had several failed assessments, its one after the other, and the frequency increased to the 3 month level you mention.

Contacting your MP is a good idea, I wish you well.