Anyone else worried about the ESA time limit changes?

HB58

Chorlie wrote: »

Has the ESA Time Limit been agreed yet, I'm (after appeal) in the the Support Group so won't effect me but could do in the future, it's just I haven't seen anything to confirmed it will happen.

The Welfare Reform Bill is still passing through the House of Lords, then will go back to the Commons to be enacted. At the moment, it looks as if the bill will be passed - but there is still a glimmer of hope (which is why it is worth contacting MPs and signing the e-petition mentioned, even if someone was foolish enough to spam all the threads with it!).

G51shopaholic

Read on line that the vote went through last night

All Government proposed changed have not been passed but the ammendments have

1. ESA will be awarded to disabled children when the reach 18
2. Time limit changed to 2 years - a big sign of relief on this one.
3. Cancer patients excempt from the time limit - THIS IS A HUGE THUMBS UP!!!! From me - 4 years fighting breast cancer.

Nice to see some common sense being applied.

KxMx

The Government can still go back to the House of Commons to overturn these as I understand it

But that all takes time.

melbury

G51shopaholic wrote: »

Read on line that the vote went through last night

All Government proposed changed have not been passed but the ammendments have

1. ESA will be awarded to disabled children when the reach 18
2. Time limit changed to 2 years - a big sign of relief on this one.
3. Cancer patients excempt from the time limit - THIS IS A HUGE THUMBS UP!!!! From me - 4 years fighting breast cancer.

Nice to see some common sense being applied.

Is there still going to be a time limit? I thought that had been removed altogether, but could be wrong.

lynnysinger

sweetersong wrote: »

Brassdoff-Yes, if you don't meet the descriptors in appendix 3 on that link , and IF they agreed with the points, then yes you would be awarded ESA with the work related activity component.

If things still stood as they do now, I would have no problems agreeing to go into this group, I indeed hope that one day my ME will go down to a level low enough that I can partake in at least part time work, I enjoy working and I enjoy the socialisation of work.

However, come april 2012, if you are put into this group, and you are claiming contributions based ESA (you can not claim income based ESA if you have a partner who works over 24 hours a week, andeven if its under that they need to be on about minimum wage) then, regardless of how long it takes to get better, you will only be able to claim for a maximum of 12 months.

Thats right, if you are in this group, and after 12 months you still aren't better, but you don't meet the criteria for the other group, you get zilch, fun eh?

just been announced today tthat it will be extended to 24 months on contribution based ESA.

voynich

As long as the House of Commens don't overturn it ESA will be 2 years. For anyone who has been following the Sparatacus Report Sue Marsh will be interviewed tonight on Newsnight.

By the way anyone who is going to a Tribunal over ESA or DLA you can now have your appeal withdrawn if a tribunal clerk tells them you phoned up and cancelled your appeal. So make sure you record your calls.