ESA SOOOO Confused

foxielady · 30 January 2010 at 12:12AM

I am a lone parent with 3 children aged 2,10 & 13 and with no savings, I lost my job of 21 years last October due to illness (I suffer from severe depression and phobias) I was put on combination ESA contribution based/income related for the past 13 weeks and was getting £64.30 per week ESA, I have just reached the 13th week and asked about my claim for help with my mortgage interest payment I telephoned the helpline numerous times and each time was told I was not entitled to help with my mortgage as I get contribution based ESA. After many conversations I finally got someone to realise I get combined ESA IR and CB and they have decided to pay my mortgage interest hooray! Today I get a letter saying my ESA has gone down as they are now helping with my mortgage and I will only now get £26.30 per week ESA so what they give with one hand they take away with the other. The only income I have is £143 Child Tax Credit, is this right that I only get £26.30 now, I am awaiting my medical for the end of the assessment phase. I am at my wits end. Someone please help me!!! can I not just go on Income support as a lone parent as I am so depressed and cannot take all this hassle

welshmoneylover · 30 January 2010 at 12:15AM

How old are your children?

foxielady · 30 January 2010 at 12:15AM

Also if I pass my medical and am awarded the extra money either for the support group or work related group will I get the money or will they just take it like they have the ESA I have now they say i'm entitled to £64.30 but took £38.00 off of it as I get £143 Child Tax Credit and £5 child maintenence. I really need help!!

foxielady · 30 January 2010 at 12:16AM

2,10 and 13

welshmoneylover · 30 January 2010 at 12:18AM

Do you have a CPN? Can they advise you the way forward.

foxielady · 30 January 2010 at 12:23AM

sorry new to all this what's a CPN?

[Deleted User] · 30 January 2010 at 12:30AM

although the letter may appear to say that they give then take it away in fact they dont and your esa will remain the same,its confusing but its just the way the letter shows the calculation.

foxielady · 30 January 2010 at 12:31AM

Just looked this up, no I dont have a CPN I see my doctor regularly and am cared for by my mother and brother

foxielady · 30 January 2010 at 12:35AM

Thanks, its just that I got the letter saying I am now getting help with my mortgage interest and a letter saying they are going to be giving me £26.30 per week ESA instead of £64.30 and I dont understand why?? in previous letters the bottom bit says I would be given £26.30 but then they top it back up to the £64.30 as I get contribution based ESA combined IR ESA