Esa

razor1979

Please can someone help

im currently in receipt of ESA Contribution Based which i get £130.90 every 2 weeks and have been for the last 25 weeks went for my medical with atos about 3 months ago but as of yet its still with the decision maker, im also in recent of child tax credit and child benefit for my daughter who is aged 13

up untill march this year i have been in full time employment since i can remember but due to an illness i am unable to work any longer in april me and my wife split up and both me and my daughter moved from northern ireland to my parents house in kent where i am currentlt going through a messy devorce and custody battle

i wanted to know
A) am i in receipt of the correct benefits
why is it i cant apply for a Budgeting loan or a community care grant for help towards clothing, bedding, and travel costs back to northern ireland for me and my daughter to see my other two children and her brother and sister where as if i was on income based i would be able to apply for these
C) again due to contribution based where am i not entilted to free dental and medical
D) would i be better off applying for income support instead
E)how long does it normally take to get a decision back after attending your medical and a pathway to work interview

i know i will be owed a back payment once the decision maker has made there decision providing i dont have to go through an appeal but this will only amount to a few £££'s and no where near what we need to help us out


many thanks in advance

dmg24

Your daughter is too old for you to claim IS.

As you have identified the items you are asking about are available to those on means tested benefits. You cannot choose to swap to a means tested benefit in order to claim.

It is unusual that your claim has still not been decided. You need to ask why it is taking so long.

razor1979

i have been on the phone to esa every week for the last month but all they will tell me there was a delay in the medical assessment being sent to them and the decision maker didnt get the information through until the 19th August and now there is a back log of reports

what i dont understand is because i have paid my national insurance contributions why does this mean i am not entilted to apply for a community care grant or a bugeting loan what makes me any different to people that havent paid national insurance

dmg24

It is assumed that you have a greater income than those on means tested benefits. This is not necessarily true, but unless you can establish an underlying entitlement (for instance, if you had a mortgage) you will not qualify. If you do not agree with it you would need to contact your MP, as it is not something that you can work around given the current rules.