Anyone else worried about the ESA time limit changes?

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I really shouldn't get myself worked up just yet, as its a way away, and gettign stressed isn't going to help, but I am just as concerned for others in my situation as I am for me
Due to ME I stopped working in the summer, after gradually detoriating for 12 months (have had it in total for nearly 6 yrs now). I kidded myself for a few months that I could do a less stressful job, but when I realised that just going to the job centre every fortnight was making me worse, I gave in and claimed ESA.
I only had to claim it for 6 weeks at this point, as I am expecting a baby in Feb, and as I was in employment until June, I am eligble for maternity allowance until next August
At that point, if I am still as ill, I will have to claim ESA
It is near-on impossible to get into the support group, if you get any ESA awarded at all (most cases get awarded after a tribunal, but then only to the work related activity group) due to the limited descriptors
However, if I get the work related activity group, I would only get it for 12 months due to the new rules, as my husband works, so I will only be eligble for the contributions based ESA
I am really distressed at the thought that they could leave me with no income, even if I am still too ill to work, due to the silly way their descriptors are given.
Our only other option to give us a livable income is as long as I can get my DLA middle rate care through (currently awaiting a decision, but I know I should be entitled to it, so am happy to take it to tribunal if necessary), is to get my husband to give up his employment and become my carer. With that, the income related benefits we would get would pay out more than just living on my husbands salary, so much for it paying to work!
Due to ME I stopped working in the summer, after gradually detoriating for 12 months (have had it in total for nearly 6 yrs now). I kidded myself for a few months that I could do a less stressful job, but when I realised that just going to the job centre every fortnight was making me worse, I gave in and claimed ESA.
I only had to claim it for 6 weeks at this point, as I am expecting a baby in Feb, and as I was in employment until June, I am eligble for maternity allowance until next August
At that point, if I am still as ill, I will have to claim ESA
It is near-on impossible to get into the support group, if you get any ESA awarded at all (most cases get awarded after a tribunal, but then only to the work related activity group) due to the limited descriptors
However, if I get the work related activity group, I would only get it for 12 months due to the new rules, as my husband works, so I will only be eligble for the contributions based ESA
I am really distressed at the thought that they could leave me with no income, even if I am still too ill to work, due to the silly way their descriptors are given.
Our only other option to give us a livable income is as long as I can get my DLA middle rate care through (currently awaiting a decision, but I know I should be entitled to it, so am happy to take it to tribunal if necessary), is to get my husband to give up his employment and become my carer. With that, the income related benefits we would get would pay out more than just living on my husbands salary, so much for it paying to work!
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The other 13 all went to tribunals (the medicals were obv a long while ago for these, these are the tribunals that have happened recently) and got placed in the work related activity group
Where I said, most cases get awarded after tribunals, I mean, out of the cases I have seen, most have to go to tribunal to get awarded, rather than get through on the medical alone
It may be different for other conditions, bad sadly for ME, this is real life, and not inaccurate information
The reason it is very hard to get the support group applied for ME is none of the descriptors acurately address the problems that those suffering with ME to this extent have with working.
http://www.disabilityalliance.org/f33.pdf
I would think that even at a tribunal (even though they personally may think a claimant is not fit for work long term) they will have to follow the law in appendix 3 in the above so not much chance of being placed in the support group for most people.
Martin57
You can get it without meeting the descriptors if they agree that if they did not assess you as incapable for work related activity, it would seriously cause your health to deterioate, but its how you prove that, which is the issue
If the above is right and I have read the PDF link correctly, you need to get 15 points or more to get into the no prospect group? Is that correct? I do not mean to highjack the thread.
You need to get 15 points to get into either group. There are certain descriptors (can't remember them) which get you into the support group. If you meet none of these, you go into the work group - regardless of whether your disability is permanent and there is no treatment for it.
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Thanks, just did the first page and got 46, so I guess I get in one group then?