ESA again!!

happymumto2

I am getting so frustrated, am not very assertive at the moment and get muddled up all the time.

I received my last part pay from my employer on the 19th February, I rang ESA to inform them of this prior to it happening in order that I could be moved from ESA (C) to ESA (I), they could not help me and told me to ring the Monday after my last pay.

Rang them on 22nd, they could not action ESA (I), until they had a letter from my employer stating I was no longer receiving any monies from them. Rang the Trust I worked for, they faxed a letter through to them, rang ESA back yes they had received it and would action the switch in benefits. Then spoke to someone from SMI, they would pay from that week once the ESA (I) was actioned on the system, and I would receive a letter in relation to ESA (I) and SMI within 2 weeks, which would then allow me to claim Council Tax Benefit and free school meals etc.

Rang them this morning as still no letter so can not deal with other claims, is no record of the conversation on the 22nd, nor of the fax sent from the trust! I am still on ESA (C), so mortgage support not happening either. Are ringing me back tomorrow. Is this how they always operate? Just over 2 weeks ago I ended up with almost £250 of bank charges as my ESA was late, they don't know why it was late.

Am new to the benefit system, having worked full time plus all my life, they just seem to palm me off all the time. Also I received an award notice for DLA today, LRM & LRC, does that affect the ESA in any way as the woman did not know.

Thanks for reading my rant! xxx

NASA_2

I would have thought you would have to wait 13 weeks before getting your mortgage paid but I cant say I have much interest in that part of ESA.

The DLA is irrelevant to your ESA claim unless you become a student at some point. You will not get any additional money from ESA because of your DLA.

MrsHelpful

NASA wrote: »

I would have thought you would have to wait 13 weeks before getting your mortgage paid but I cant say I have much interest in that part of ESA.

The DLA is irrelevant to your ESA claim unless you become a student at some point. You will not get any additional money from ESA because of your DLA.

Thanks NASA, no I don't have to wait a further 13 weeks for SMI, have been on ESA since October, was awarded £116 a week towards my mortgage but it was not in payment as I was on ESA (C), due to half pay from employer.

Once the ESA (I) is actioned I will get SMI from that week, I confirmed this with them on the telephone, they are also going to send the application to another DM once it is actioned as they are treating me under the old rules (that came from the current DM who I spoke to on telephone)

sunnyone

If you change your name for one thread it might be better to change it back if you dont want people to know your AE.

Tehya

Hi, (hugs) dealing with the ESA folks is a whole experience in intself. I can't really help with going from C based to IR ESA but thought I'd reply to bump up your post.

We recently had a change in our (IR) ESA, (hubby is very ill so in support group, main phase ESA) as I left my job to become his full time carer. During the last couple of weeks we've jumped through so many hoops we feel like we're in a weird doggy agility contest.

He's due to get our new rate (including my Carer's Premium) on Monday but I'm not holding my breathe as every time we ring either Carer's Allowance, ESA or the Benefits Inquiry Line we get a different answer.

I've even had an argument over our ESA premiums with two members of staff as they tried to tell me my hubby couldn't get the disability income guarantee, even though it's written on the letter I had in my hand, unless he was in receipt of DLA High Rate Care even though it's paid on ESA if you're placed in the Support Group, they even had to go check with a manager as they wanted to put a stop on our money because they assumed we were being over paid. :eek:


"Just over 2 weeks ago I ended up with almost £250 of bank charges as my ESA was late, they don't know why it was late."

Our money was paid late on two occasions and we were told that somehow our claim for DLA had put a hold on our payments so if it was around the same time they sorted your DLA that could be why.

"Also I received an award notice for DLA today, LRM & LRC, does that affect the ESA in any way as the woman did not know."

DLA can have a positive affect on ESA but only if you've been awarded DLA care at the middle or higher rate.

Good luck, Tehya

NASA_2

MrsHelpful wrote: »

Thanks NASA, no I don't have to wait a further 13 weeks for SMI, have been on ESA since October, was awarded £116 a week towards my mortgage but it was not in payment as I was on ESA (C), due to half pay from employer.

Once the ESA (I) is actioned I will get SMI from that week, I confirmed this with them on the telephone, they are also going to send the application to another DM once it is actioned as they are treating me under the old rules (that came from the current DM who I spoke to on telephone)

Ah !!!! it.

The rules change every other week at the minute. Its hard to know what is considered 'Old Rules' and what is considered to be 'New'.

Tehya

NASA wrote: »

Ah !!!! it.

The rules change every other week at the minute. Its hard to know what is considered 'Old Rules' and what is considered to be 'New'.

You're so right and members of staff are not updated either. As in my post above on two separate occasions I've argued with ESA staff that we get the disability income guarantee but they were adamant we didn't with one even threatening to put a stop on our payments because he feared we were being overpaid, it's only after I'd told him we were given this part of ESA a long time before my hubby got DLA. He still ended up going to a manager the other person looked it up in the new rule book. They both automatically assumed the rules were the same as being on Income Support.

happymumto2

sunnyone wrote: »

If you change your name for one thread it might be better to change it back if you dont want people to know your AE.

Have read and re read this post and have only just realised what you were referring to. This is a shared computer and I hadn't realised my sister was still logged on, apologies for the confusion. I have my own problems to deal with and don't intend getting involved with any disagreement the pair of you may be having.

sunnyone

happymumto2 wrote: »

Have read and re read this post and have only just realised what you were referring to. This is a shared computer and I hadn't realised my sister was still logged on, apologies for the confusion. I have my own problems to deal with and don't intend getting involved with any disagreement the pair of you may be having.

I am not argueing with you, just offering advice.

happymumto2

sunnyone wrote: »

I am not argueing with you, just offering advice.

Thanks, is not the first time its happened, will check in future has never really caused a problem before.

happymumto2

Oh well, they have rung me back today, still can't find the fax off my employer!
They are going to ring my employer to confirm my last pay was on the 19th February. Will the income based ESA be backdated to the 22nd as that is when it should have been activated? Not worried about extra money or CTB, more concerned about mortgage payments which should have kicked in from that week. I did ask on the phone but the lady did not know.

Thanks in advance.