incapacity benefit changed ?

macma

my daughter has suffered for many years with depression and was in reciept of incapacity benefit, she tries to work and changed to job seekers declaring a small income from a friend who she helps out with their elderly mother.Because she couldn't always sign on due to her "bad days"coupled with the snow -she lives in a small village.The job center said she couldn't claim j/s allowance as she wasn't fit for work so she has tried to claim incapacity which I believe is now called Employment support allowance only to be told that as she manages to help her friend then she is fit for work:mad:
Her difficulty in sorting out this problem is not helped by the cost of phoning she is on a pay as you go mobile and when asked if some one would phone her back they didn't.Please can anyone offer ANY advice.She's really trying

dookar

Tell her to claim JSA again. Any doubt as to her capability for work will be decided by an ESA decision maker if necessary

stressedcazza

I am sorry to hear that your daughter is having so much difficulty! It makes me so angry!!! :mad: The only advice I have is for her to go to the citizens advice bureau. Not only will they be able to call them for her they will be able to offer further advice. I have used them in the past and found them very helpful.
I hope things work out for her.

healy

macma wrote: »

my daughter has suffered for many years with depression and was in reciept of incapacity benefit, she tries to work and changed to job seekers declaring a small income from a friend who she helps out with their elderly mother.Because she couldn't always sign on due to her "bad days"coupled with the snow -she lives in a small village.The job center said she couldn't claim j/s allowance as she wasn't fit for work so she has tried to claim incapacity which I believe is now called Employment support allowance only to be told that as she manages to help her friend then she is fit for work:mad:
Her difficulty in sorting out this problem is not helped by the cost of phoning she is on a pay as you go mobile and when asked if some one would phone her back they didn't.Please can anyone offer ANY advice.She's really trying

The following link gives details of ESA:

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

She would need to have a medical before it was decided that she was fit for work.