Can Someone point me in the right direction please?

skylight

This is all such a mine field - I just do not know where to start.

Basically, OH is 38 and needs a hip replacement. Obviously there is the related pain that goes with this and he has limited movement in his hip/leg etc.

So. He had investigative surgery in January, which has made it worse (!) but the consultant told him then that he needs a new hip and the appointment has been made for March to discuss this further.

Anyway, OH has claimed ESA. And this is where I am confused. Barring the problem that they have awarded him ESA from Jan 22, but won't actually paid him yet :rolleyes:, I am confused with the assessment and work-related stuff that comes next. We sent back some forms detailing what he can and cannot do - they were horrible! You don't want to make things sound worse than they are but you also do not want to make light of his problems (IYKWIM). So these have been filled out and sent back as honestly as you can (as in he cannot walk to the local shops a few hundred metres away all in one go but could walk around Tesco if leaning on the trolley and stop/starting etc).

Others (well meaning friends who probably don't know what they are talking about anyway!) have gone on about blue badges, DLA, premiums and so on. And I am baffled by what he may be able to get.

Anway, the ESA assessment I understand is a points process - what is this based on? Are there certain "words" we should have used in the forms he sent back? What happens next? Whats the difference between the support group and work-related group? Who decides what group you are put in and how would you know what group you should be in, in the first place to check? We just want to make sure that we do everything right - we do not want to be told later down the line that we could have claimed or done something that we didn't.

As always - MSE advice is always welcome! So I will thank you now.

Sky

allydowd

I would recommend a couple of things:

Go the www.entitledto.org.uk and put in your personal details. It will tell you, almost instantly what benefits you might claim.

If you want to get a Blue Badge for your car call your local council offices for details and a form. It is easier to get a badge if you are on disability benefits but there are ways around this if you don't mind filling out endless forms.

Go to your husband's GP and ask for a referral to an Occupational Therapist. They should be able to help with mobility issues, perhaps the free loan of a wheelchair or other aids to support his walking or a rail beside the toilet to aid rising and lowering.

If neither of you work, or if your income is low go to your local council offices and apply for Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit.

If you cannot afford prescriptions, dental care and spectacles call 0870 155 54 55 and get an HC1 form for help paying for these.

If you do some work but are not well paid for it you might be able to claim Working Tax Credits. If you have children and work you might get Child Tax Credits. Call the HMRC on 0845 300 3900 and ask them about it.

If you want to claim Disability Living Allowance it comes in two parts, Care and Mobility. You can apply for either or both. For information call 0800 88 22 00.

Clare_1980

Hiya,

I work for Housing Benefits, so know a bit about ESA

The government introduced it to replace Incapacity Benefits for new claimants for October 08. The idea is that it is based more on what you can do, rather then what you cant.

Initially everyone is awarded £60.50 per week, while the assessment is carried out. Im not sure how the points process works tho sorry.

Once they've carried out the assessment, they determine whether you are fit for some type of work, if you are you are awarded ESA work related £84pwk

If they decide you arent fit for work, you are awarded ESA support £89pwk

If your income is low enough, you are awarded ESA income related. This is like Income Support, but from what you have said, they have already worked out you arent entitled to that

If you are classed as being fit for work, and you dont agree, you can always appeal the decision. I would definately advise you to make a claim for Disability Living Allowance though and Housing/ Council Tax Benefit

Hope this helps