Employment and Support Allowance

Arne_2

My SSP will be ending at the end of the month. My employer will pay me half pay but hasnt been able to tell me how much money I will actually get so far.
I am middle aged, single, no dependants, with a mortage interest only and some savings. I think I should apply for this allowance but I dont know what the limits are for savings etc.
Can anyone give me any advice?
Thank you.

healy

If you are claiming contribution based ESA there are no savings limits. If you are claiming Income based savings up to £6000 will not affect the benefit, savings between £6000 and £16000 will reduce it and it will not be paid if you have savings above £16000.

Arne_2

Thank you. What is the difference between contribution based ESA and Income based? I have never been in the position of claiming any benefit since I left school and dont understand the system.
I will have nearly the upper limit even though some of the money is a loan from family meant to reduce my mortgage which I was hoping that I wouldnt use.

healy

Arne wrote: »

Thank you. What is the difference between contribution based ESA and Income based? I have never been in the position of claiming any benefit since I left school and dont understand the system.
I will have nearly the upper limit even though some of the money is a loan from family meant to reduce my mortgage which I was hoping that I wouldnt use.

Contribution based is related to the National Insurance you have paid in recent years and income based is for those who have not paid enough National Insurance to qualify that way.

Arne_2

Thank you. As I have been in full time employment I may be able to ask about the contributions based alowance even with my savings.

cozza

thats if you get it i was signed off on to the sick 2 weeks ago from claiming jsa as i had a mental breakdown so im off with depression they still havnt sorted my claim i have got no money then this morning i got a form to fill out so they can asses my illness so i may have to wait to have a medical before i get any money so i am living on fresh air at the moment in stead of getting better i can feel myself going right down hill again so monday i will phone and ask how i am supposed to live with no money
cozza

Oldernotwiser

I'm not sure if you can get ESA if your employer is paying you half your salary. Surely that means that you're still employed?

seven-day-weekend

My husband was able to claim Incapacity Benefit when he was on half-pay from his employer. You don't have to be 'OUT' of work - just to sick to go to work - which means you can still be employed.

Your health may improve and then you can go back ! My friend has done this after at least two occasions on long-term sick leave.

This is IB, don't know whether ESA is the same.

stazi

ESA is the new benefit that replaced IB & IS from 27/10/08. With the exception of the new medical test and rates of ESA, the 'basics' are the same.
If the OP is getting some/half pay from his E/R, this would not affect the contributory ESA (old IB), but would affect the means tested/income based ESA (old IS).

seven-day-weekend

This is what I assumed stazi, thanks.

Oldernotwiser

That's interesting; I really didn't know that. I don't think I'd have had the gall to claim benefits when I was getting £11,000 sick pay but I suppose we're all different.