ESA Abroad?

de1amo

i am confused -i am in receipt of İB and in Nov got a further 5 years before i am tested again--they do not mention any transferance to ESA and the terms of entitlements are the same as always-
Also i never knew you could send İB abroad --i thought you could only stay out of the country for a few weeks and incapacity benefit only stands on the same terms

seven-day-weekend

de1amo wrote: »

i am confused -i am in receipt of İB and in Nov got a further 5 years before i am tested again--they do not mention any transferance to ESA and the terms of entitlements are the same as always-
Also i never knew you could send İB abroad --i thought you could only stay out of the country for a few weeks and incapacity benefit only stands on the same terms

My husband has been claiming IB in Spain since 2004 and has had (and passed) a medical with a British Dr in Marbella. Quite legit!

You may not get transferred to ESA for another five years, or, if you are over 60, not at all. Meanwhile, the normal rules of your IB will apply.

de1amo

how i read the rules you stay on the terms of ib you started under-mine goes back to 1997 and are much less severe than 2004---i can escape at last--time to pack my bucket and spade!! does your husband need to show his condition is made better by living abroad --

seven-day-weekend

de1amo wrote: »

how i read the rules you stay on the terms of ib you started under-mine goes back to 1997 and are much less severe than 2004---i can escape at last--time to pack my bucket and spade!! does your husband need to show his condition is made better by living abroad --

No....we just went! And in fact his condition has not got better, although we thought it might. I think the idea is that if you are unable to work through illness then it doesn't matter WHERE you are too ill. It is also EU law that certain Benefits are exportable.

Your Benefit will just be transferred to the Non-Residents' Department and dealt with by them instead of the usual one, that's all that happened to us.

Also if you are on IB and go to live in an EU country, you will be fully covered with an E121 form from the DWP for the Healthcare of the country you are living in. My husband is fully covered for the Spanish NHS and has had an operation in a Spanish hospital (excellent it was too!). Any dependents will also be covered. If you are a permanent resident in an EU country you will no longer be able to access the British NHS, other than for a condition arising if you are visiting the UK.

Hope this helps.

de1amo

so now i have 5 years before reassessment i can legitimately export myself???i have a home abroad i have always resisted going to for more than a few weeks at a time-i feel silly!!!

seven-day-weekend

Yes, you can live permanently in your home if you want. Do inform the DWP you are going though, and ask for Form E121.(See my post above re Healthcare ) - and your re-assessment will take place in the country where you are living.

Good luck!

de1amo

i once asked the dwp if i could go for a month and they said it was irregular but they would permit it on this occassion--lies lies and more lies---i feel cheated -my condition benefits no end from the brighter weather and have often wondered why my doc keeps advising me to go away!!

seven-day-weekend

I think if you are going just for a holiday it IS only for a few weeks, I don't think they were telling you lies.

There are different rules if you are actually emigrating (i.e. going to live in a different country).

de1amo

can dla go with me--we could have a picnic!!-i cant see your e121 info??!

seven-day-weekend

DLA Care Component can go with you.

Here is what I wrote about the E121:

Also if you are on IB and go to live in an EU country, you will be fully covered with an E121 form from the DWP for the Healthcare of the country you are living in. My husband is fully covered for the Spanish NHS and has had an operation in a Spanish hospital (excellent it was too!). Any dependents will also be covered. If you are a permanent resident in an EU country you will no longer be able to access the British NHS, other than for a condition arising if you are visiting the UK.

And here is a link to explain it more fully:

http://www.dwp.gov.uk/international/medical-services/healthcare-arrangements-for-people/getting-long-term-incapacity-benefit/