Contribution based ESA - unfair!!

jules22214

Hi

Just a rant, sorry but need to get it off my chest!

I am currently recieving esa contribution based and have done for 2 years..work related group, no problems with medical etc

I have chronic arthritis and had to leave work after 15 yrs due to ill health. I'm only 38!



ok so my prob is, I am on same income as income based esa, but, not entitiled to cold weather payment!!!!.its freezing in my house and i really cant afford the heating bill, where as others are recieving an extra £25 a week, and as far as i can see it is because they have never worked and recieve income based (SAME RATE) but as i have worked full time for yrs, im now totally penalised and skint!

To top it off, My daughter is 4 with chronic asthma, she needs to be warm, she has had pneumonia twice!...again no help anywhere, cause i'm on contribution based benefits.

This system just doesnt seem fair!

Oh well thanks for listening, feel bit better now lol

oldestrocker

jules22214 wrote: »

Hi

Just a rant, sorry but need to get it off my chest!

I am currently recieving esa contribution based and have done for 2 years..work related group, no problems with medical etc

I have chronic arthritis and had to leave work after 15 yrs due to ill health. I'm only 38!



ok so my prob is, I am on same income as income based esa, but, not entitiled to cold weather payment!!!!.its freezing in my house and i really cant afford the heating bill, where as others are recieving an extra £25 a week, and as far as i can see it is because they have never worked and recieve income based (SAME RATE) but as i have worked full time for yrs, im now totally penalised and skint!

To top it off, My daughter is 4 with chronic asthma, she needs to be warm, she has had pneumonia twice!...again no help anywhere, cause i'm on contribution based benefits.

This system just doesnt seem fair!

Oh well thanks for listening, feel bit better now lol

Well that is maybe because your income level is greater than those that do receive Income Based ESA?
Otherwise there is no reason why you shouldn't be claiming it.

Are you saying that the only income coming into the household is equal to or less than what you would get on the means tested basis?

If it is greater then you don't have a problem - your working has been able to give you that increased level of income. Those that haven't are very restricted as to what they get. That is only fair!!

DaisyFlower

I assume you're getting CTC anc CB and possibly HB/CTB so there should be no reason not to afford some heating. Is the childs father contributing - especially if your daughter is being affected.

jules22214

hi
no, think you will find the rates are exactly the same, and my total income is the same as it would be if i were on income related esa. It is my only income, along with child tax credit for daughter, hb and ctb.
If you claim income support or JSA, you only recieve contribution based for 6 monthish then go onto income related, this doesnt apply to esa. So I cant claim, but do have same income, thats why I'm mad, sorry.

jules22214

yes, of course im getting heating.. by going without other things and I'm managing I have no choice!..I was just ranting about the unfairness, of the contribution based esa to income related when the rates are exactly the same!

richard9991

jules22214 wrote: »

Hi

Just a rant, sorry but need to get it off my chest!

I am currently recieving esa contribution based and have done for 2 years..work related group, no problems with medical etc

I have chronic arthritis and had to leave work after 15 yrs due to ill health. I'm only 38!



ok so my prob is, I am on same income as income based esa, but, not entitiled to cold weather payment!!!!.its freezing in my house and i really cant afford the heating bill, where as others are recieving an extra £25 a week, and as far as i can see it is because they have never worked and recieve income based (SAME RATE) but as i have worked full time for yrs, im now totally penalised and skint!

To top it off, My daughter is 4 with chronic asthma, she needs to be warm, she has had pneumonia twice!...again no help anywhere, cause i'm on contribution based benefits.

This system just doesnt seem fair!

Oh well thanks for listening, feel bit better now lol

You could claim income support as a single parent then you would get your cwp

richard9991

Robbie64 wrote: »

She won't be able to get IS as she receives ESA.

i meant she could claim is as a single parent instead of esa as cwp seem to meen such a lot to her

Robbie64

richard9991 wrote: »

i meant she could claim is as a single parent instead of esa as cwp seem to meen such a lot to her

She would have less income if she did that! Her benefit would reduce by over £20 per week. It's hardly worth it just to get an extra £25 CWP for a week or two.

McKneff

Not amied personally at the OP but I get fed up of people whinging that the government arent giving them enough money.
theres enough money for a computer broadband, probably a mobile phone, landline, telly. !!!!!!. So it is enough but they
choose to spend it on other things.

I have arthritiis, pernicious aneamia, osteoporisis and i work, 3 full days a week. It hurts badly sometimes but its a reason to
get out of bed on a morning and a reason that because I have done that I have a roof over my head, paid for by me.
Self respect if priceless. If you can work do so,

krisskross

These CWPs seem to be a source of huge envy amongst those who do not get them. And whose stupid idea was it to make them £25 a pop? Ludicrous amount of extra dosh a week. My gas and electric is just £56 a month for both and our heating is on at least 20 hours a day. Paying the same all year means we have built up a surplus for the colder months.

Two4Tuesday

jules22214 wrote: »

yes, of course im getting heating.. by going without other things and I'm managing I have no choice!..I was just ranting about the unfairness, of the contribution based esa to income related when the rates are exactly the same!

Why can't you claim Income Related ESA? Do you have savings over £16,000 or a partner who works? Just because you are entitled to contributions based ESA doesn't automatically disqualify you from Income Based ESA.