esa wrag income based question?

johnsmi

Hi,

I would be grateful if anyone knows the answer to this question regarding esa wrag.

1 If I was to receive contribution based esa for the allowed maximum one year in the wrag, what happens after the year is up, and means testing means I can't get any further esa money, can I still stay in the esa wrag only that I don't get any money?

2 If so and should my medical condition get worse say a further year down the line, can I reapply to be put in the support group whcih is not means tested.

This new esa thing is really confussing me so would be grateful for any clarification.

thanks very much

John

JS477

johnsmi wrote: »

Hi,

I would be grateful if anyone knows the answer to this question regarding esa wrag.

1 If I was to receive contribution based esa for the allowed maximum one year in the wrag, what happens after the year is up, and means testing means I can't get any further esa money, can I still stay in the esa wrag only that I don't get any money?

2 If so and should my medical condition get worse say a further year down the line, can I reapply to be put in the support group whcih is not means tested.

This new esa thing is really confussing me so would be grateful for any clarification.

thanks very much

John

Not too sure what you means in your Point (1) but w.r.t. Point (2) I don't think the linking rules have been decided yet but your MP may be able to shed some light on this important question. Also what happens to your NI credits do they also stop as these go towards your state pension.

johnsmi

JS477 wrote: »

Not too sure what you means in your Point (1) but w.r.t. Point (2) I don't think the linking rules have been decided yet but your MP may be able to shed some light on this important question. Also what happens to your NI credits do they also stop as these go towards your state pension.

What I mean in point 1 is, if a person is placed in the wrag then I understand it the time limit on that if its contribution based is 1 year. Now after the year is up the way I understand it, to still receive esa in the wrag then it will be savings and other income based? is this correct? Technically speaking can the person still stay in the wrag after the year if still unfit for work but obviously receive no esa payment?

Thanks to anyone who can clear this up for me.

John

NASA_2

Yes, the person will still be in the WRAG, until the next reassessment.

I'm guessing there will be a lot more appeals about being put in the WRAG in the future.

johnsmi

Thank you Nasa for your reply. So If I should happen to be in the wrag group and after a year my esa money is stopped (because of the years limit on contribution based esa payment ) what would happen if my condition got worse, can I then ask to be put in the support group and would I receive any esa payment for that?

Thanks again
John

MrsManda

johnsmi wrote: »

What would happen if my condition got worse, can I then ask to be put in the support group and would I receive any esa payment for that?

You cannot just ask to be put in the support group, you can ask for a reassessment.

Just a note but at the moment there is no limit on how long you can claim contribution based ESA.

JS477

MrsManda wrote: »

You cannot just ask to be put in the support group, you can ask for a reassessment.

Just a note but at the moment there is no limit on how long you can claim contribution based ESA.

It should be borne in mind that should this 1 year cap on CB ESA (WRAG only) a particularly nasty piece of legislation go through and comes into force in 2012, individuals who have already received a year or more of (WRAG) contributory ESA would immediately have their eligibility removed.

MrsManda

JS477 wrote: »

individuals who have already received a year or more of (WRAG) contributory ESA would immediately have their eligibility removed.

Do you have evidence of this somewhere? I haven't noticed this in the legislation (though admittedly I haven't looked into it in any detail)

schrodie

JS477 wrote: »

It should be borne in mind that should this 1 year cap on CB ESA (WRAG only) a particularly nasty piece of legislation go through and comes into force in 2012, individuals who have already received a year or more of (WRAG) contributory ESA would immediately have their eligibility removed.

I saw that too in this document:-

Here

but then I think it's somewhat contradicted in this document (page 6) unless I've misunderstood the language:-

Here

Perhaps someone could clarify?

I note that the following is also assumed:-

"It is likely that the change to the policy will increase the numbers appealing the decision to be in the WRAG rather than the Support Group." Well they've got that right

oldestrocker

NASA wrote: »

Yes, the person will still be in the WRAG, until the next reassessment.

I'm guessing there will be a lot more appeals about being put in the WRAG in the future.

Hi,
That made me smile! Yes you are right - they have started already! Me included!!

The things one has to do to ensure that you receive a benefit whilst genuinely being unable to work.
(and if they say find a job! I did have one - a well paid one that I resigned from 4 months into my ESA claim - to claim my pittance - some choice!).

Chorlie

I'm also very confused with this topic.

I'm getting CB WRAG ESA and I have some savings, so if / when the 12 month rules comes in my payments will stop (my disability won't, but that's a different issues). But what will happen, will it be:-

1, Two fingers upto me and a come back once all my savings have gone...
2, Still classed as being on ESA, don't get any money but might get re-assessed in due time...
3, As '2' but will still get pension credits...
4, As '2 or 3' but can request to be re-assessed...
5, You get basic rate ESA...


Also if your condition get worse say a year or two down the line and therefore should then be in the SRAG, since you haven't paid NI for a few years can you be moved onto CB SRAG ESA or will you have to wait until you fall into Income Based ESA (ie, all your savings have gone).