Grrr... contribution based ESA

NASA_2

daska wrote: »

So how would I go about claiming the IR part?

(I think there ought to be a special 'having to deal with benefit helplines and getting the wrong information' smilie)

Ask for an ESA3 to be sent out to you.

One question I may have failed to ask though. Are you part of someone elses claim (To any Income Related Benefit)?

daska

NASA wrote: »

Ask for an ESA3 to be sent out to you.

One question I may have failed to ask though. Are you part of someone elses claim (To any Income Related Benefit)?

Thank you. No I'm not, it's just myself and my youngest (2 yrs old). Unless the LHA claim matters in which case I get an extra room allowance for my live in carer. The rest of the family moved out last summer.

daska

Update: My support worker rang the helpline for me earlier this week.

I'm with a client who gets CB ESA and would like to apply for IR ESA.

No sorry, it's not possible to apply for IR ESA if you qualify for CB ESA, it doesn't work like that.

That's strange, we've been told that we should ask you for an ESA3 form to apply for it.

Oh? let me have a look at what's on the claim. Oh, OK, that's not necessary there's an 'underlying entitlement' so she's already getting IR ESA.

But I rang a couple of weeks ago and was told she was on CR ESA so didn't qualify for free prescriptions etc and you sent my client a HC1 form.

Oh no, we wouldn't have done that because she's been awarded IR ESA.

!!!!!! ????????????????????????????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(Support worker calmly folds up the HC1 form that we have obviously imagined receiving and places it in her briefcase just in case someone else needs one...)



ANYWAY...

Thank you NASA et al for pointing us in the right direction.

(Unfortunately my support worker won't get to use this information for anyone else's benefit as our local council have just ceased all funding for support workers because they're a 'luxury'.)

dynamo-di

Hi daska
I know your frustration!

I became ill and ended up claiming ESA(C) from Nov 08. I knew i wouldn't qualify for ESA(IR) because of savings and a second property. 16 months later and my savings have gone and my tenants moved out 6 months ago. Add to this the pressure that i was still on the basic 64.30 because the medical said i didn't have enough points so i had to go to tribunal. This was held in January and they said i qualified, 2 months later i still did not have the increase or the backdated benefit i was owed. Just this week i phoned the DWP's Chief Exec's office to make a complaint and within 3 days this has been resolved. I will be getting the money i am owed early next week.

However, I have also found out that i should have reported a change of circumstances on an ESA3 form to let them know i no longer had income from my second property and my savings/capital fell to a level where i may bcome entitled to ESA(IR). As a result i may also be eligible for help towards my own home mortgage. So i am going to apply for this to be backdated.

My point is this: even if i am entitled to ESA(IR) this will be as a top-up to my ESA(C), so i will still get ESA(C) with an additional amount of ESA(IR).

There are a couple of things i wondered about, reading your scenario: firstly you have a child, surely this should mean you get ESA(IR) or some Income Support because of your child. That way you should still be entitled to free prescription, dental treatment, concessions etc. Also you don't mention your home expenses, do you get any help with rent or mortgage or council tax? If so, then it is likely you do receive ESA (IR) or again, Income Support.

Hope this helps to clarify.

Regarding welfare rights/support workers, i have read about the cutbacks in this area and i think it is disgusting. I could not have coped with this entire process without the help of my welfare rights worker.

daska

Guess I should have updated the thread - it's on the 'penalised' thread but...
...
...
Still waiting for the cold weather payment so gave the 'help'line a call. Ended up getting a call back from a very apologetic lady who explained that I didn't qualify for a cold weather payment because I was on ESA (C), also that I definitely didn't qualify for free prescriptions etc. because if you qualify for ESA (C) and ESA (IR) at the same rate then the ESA (C) takes precedence.

So the application for help with healthcare has gone in and a letter has gone to the MP to ask why, if means-tested benefit claimants in exactly the same financial position as myself are only getting 'as much as they need', I am judged to not need as much?

daska

And a further update...

Having been assured that I no longer qualified for help with healthcare costs because of being on ESA (C) and having successfully applied using an HC1...

along comes a new Tax Credits Certificate for help with Healthcare Costs

The waste this system is responsible for beggars belief!

Indie_Kid

daska wrote: »

And a further update...

Having been assured that I no longer qualified for help with healthcare costs because of being on ESA (C) and having successfully applied using an HC1...

along comes a new Tax Credits Certificate for help with Healthcare Costs

The waste this system is responsible for beggars belief!

I will never understand this!