ESA claim and alcoholism

rainbowdiamond

Hi,

Any help here - much appreciated I submitted a claim for ESA two weeks ago and was told I was eligible as I was on JSA but have a doctors sick note from early October for 4 weeks, as I have alcohol dependency and am a bit of a wreck with it but getting treatment.

My background is professional and I have contributed thousands in tax from running a business prior to starting a JSA claim 4 months ago when my business failed....I am now getting help for my alcoholism and am going into a med assisted detox next month.

I read that the new Govt is looking at Treatment Allowances for alcoholics and drug addicts which will allow those affected time to get treatment and in the case of alcoholics, a little time out (not sure of the specifics) in the early stages of sobriety provided they have a detox and have post detox relapse care. This sounds like good common sense as no doubt it will also save the Govt millions a year, mainly from the NHS budget.

I realise many of you will not look at this as a 'disease' but believe me if you are suffering like I am with a physical and physcological dependence on this substance, it is; it is truly horrible. Tried to give up - and suffered hallucinations, shaking and muscle jerking which was apparently likely to proceed to seizure on day 2 :eek:

Sorry to ramble on, but my question is (obviously with ref to the Treatment Allowances and that the Govt is moving people with conditions like this from ESA on to JSA), does anyone have any similar recent experience?

How long from the claim, does it take to receive money (transferred from JSA - same system I understand - to ESA)?

Also, should I approach my doc, which I am planning to, for a further sick note to cover the detox and early recovery? (I am an emotional mess at the moment and docs think poss bi-polar but cannot find out until after the detox :eek:)

Thank you for any help.

Charlotte

I_know_my_ABC_and_my_CMYK

I'm sorry I can't answer your question.

I just wanted to wish you luck with the detox and I hope you get your life back on track

mark24c

Good Luck Im 15 months sober now - it can be done
I found this forum http://www.brighteyecounselling.co.uk/alcoholic-forum/
a lot of help and its not AA based

welshmoneylover

rainbowdiamond wrote: »

Hi,

Any help here - much appreciated I submitted a claim for ESA two weeks ago and was told I was eligible as I was on JSA but have a doctors sick note from early October for 4 weeks, as I have alcohol dependency and am a bit of a wreck with it but getting treatment.

My background is professional and I have contributed thousands in tax from running a business prior to starting a JSA claim 4 months ago when my business failed....I am now getting help for my alcoholism and am going into a med assisted detox next month.

I read that the new Govt is looking at Treatment Allowances for alcoholics and drug addicts which will allow those affected time to get treatment and in the case of alcoholics, a little time out (not sure of the specifics) in the early stages of sobriety provided they have a detox and have post detox relapse care. This sounds like good common sense as no doubt it will also save the Govt millions a year, mainly from the NHS budget.

I realise many of you will not look at this as a 'disease' but believe me if you are suffering like I am with a physical and physcological dependence on this substance, it is; it is truly horrible. Tried to give up - and suffered hallucinations, shaking and muscle jerking which was apparently likely to proceed to seizure on day 2 :eek:

Sorry to ramble on, but my question is (obviously with ref to the Treatment Allowances and that the Govt is moving people with conditions like this from ESA on to JSA), does anyone have any similar recent experience?

How long from the claim, does it take to receive money (transferred from JSA - same system I understand - to ESA)?

Also, should I approach my doc, which I am planning to, for a further sick note to cover the detox and early recovery? (I am an emotional mess at the moment and docs think poss bi-polar but cannot find out until after the detox :eek:)

Thank you for any help.

Charlotte

I would like to wish you all the very best of luck in your claim and your treatment.

Sorry got nothing to add benefit wise.

sparrer

As others have said, I'm afraid I can't help with your main question but just wanted to add my wishes for your success on your journey into recovery. I came to sobriety in my 50's and the past 5 years have been better than I could ever have imagined.

Take all the help you can, use all the tools put your way, pick up the phone before you pick up a drink and always avoid the first one. Good luck, you've got a great life ahead

Oh, and I hope someone comes along soon who can answer your question

jellybaby1969

JSA - ESA is normally a straight forward claim and as long as your JSA claim gets shutdown completely and correctly by the JSA maintenance team there is no reason that ESA should take longer than a day to process. However if you are claiming ESA(IR) and have a partner with income, or you own another property, or you have been abroad in the last 5yrs..... etc (the list can go on) it will take longer and more forms will need to be completed and more evidence reqd such as partners wage slips etc...

rainbowdiamond

Hi JB,

Thanks for your post. The DWP wrote to me letter dated 07/10 requesting evidence for my claim, i.e. the sick note. I posted it to them by first class post on 11/10. The JSA claim was shut down (the signing on book was sent by first class post to my job centre on 06/10.

I received a letter from my local Council on 15/10 stating that my Council Tax benefit had been suspended and that I needed to bring in my claim letter 'immediately' to continue to claim CT benefit. I thought I would give the DWP until today to call to find out what is happening as if I hadn't transferred from JSA to ESA I would be 'paid' this friday. The lady I spoke to said it was still a new claim and would be processed 'hopefully' by 26/10. I am so worried about all of this especially as I am due to have a med assisted detox week beginning 01/11.
Is this all normal procedure and should I receive the money back-dated next week?

Any help much appreciated.

Thanks,

Charlotte