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ESA or Income Support

redsilk
redsilk Posts: 19 Forumite
in Benefits & tax credits
Hi

Hope someone can help :-)
I'm not sure if I'm entitled to income support or ESA. Went on the gov website and that says income support. I am unable to work due to illness and got support to do a course. Now to reclaim, they say I am entitled to ESA; though the allowance looks very low compared to income support. This is worrying as my LHA is low which means trying to find around £40 a week to make it up and that's not including bills. So if my allowance is only around £65 I wouldn't be able to eat. Is this correct?

Thanks for your help
«1

Comments

  • DX2
    DX2 Posts: 8,275 Forumite
    If you are unable to work due to an illness it is ESA you apply for.
    *SIGH*
    :D
  • Indie_Kid
    Indie_Kid Posts: 23,100 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    The allowances are the same amount.
    Sealed pot challenge #232. Gold stars from Sue-UU - :staradmin :staradmin £75.29 banked
    50p saver #40 £20 banked
    Virtual sealed pot #178 £80.25
  • redsilk
    redsilk Posts: 19 Forumite
    I thought they were different. Thought you had to wait so many weeks before they put you on the rate suitable due to your illness (13 weeks or something?) and until then it is rather low...basic rate
  • Jomo
    Jomo Posts: 8,253 Forumite
    Move to a cheaper property?
  • redsilk
    redsilk Posts: 19 Forumite
    Well, to move would cost a lot (rent in advance and deposit up front) but I already live in cheap accommodation. It's very small one bedroom flat. Can't get anything cheaper in my area. I'm at the bottom end
  • Jomo
    Jomo Posts: 8,253 Forumite
    redsilk wrote: »
    Well, to move would cost a lot (rent in advance and deposit up front) but I already live in cheap accommodation. It's very small one bedroom flat. Can't get anything cheaper in my area. I'm at the bottom end

    Studio flat? House share?

    If you have to fork out £40 on top of what is paid for you by the council then maybe you could look at cheaper areas?

    I can't think of any other solution, sorry. Maybe somebody else will come along with more advice.
  • amus
    amus Posts: 5,635 Forumite
    The basic rate of ESA is the same as IS. If you are entitled to IS then I would claim this, ESA is a very difficult benefit to claim nowadays depending on your illness.
  • dmg24
    dmg24 Posts: 33,920 Forumite
    10,000 Posts
    amus wrote: »
    The basic rate of ESA is the same as IS. If you are entitled to IS then I would claim this, ESA is a very difficult benefit to claim nowadays depending on your illness.

    As is IS for reason of Incapacity!

    OP, have you claimed IS or IB before?
    Gone ... or have I?
  • amus
    amus Posts: 5,635 Forumite
    dmg24 wrote: »
    As is IS for reason of Incapacity!

    OP, have you claimed IS or IB before?

    I meant if she was entitled to IS for children or something
  • richard9991
    richard9991 Posts: 1,618 Forumite
    amus wrote: »
    I meant if she was entitled to IS for children or something

    benefit for children is child tax credit and is paid separate and claimed seprate from tax ppl
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