Anyone else worried about the ESA time limit changes?

Brassedoff

It's is all well and good the changes claiming for you to be able to move into work, but there are many cases where an employer will not employ someone with a disability that impinges on their business. As a former employer, it was easier to just say sorry you have been unsuccessful, we will keep your details on file.

At this rate Remploy better get more vacancies and there needs to be more workhouses built as there are not many who will be able to work for the peanuts on offer. Of course that is hoping you jump in front of the other 2.5 million able bodied looking for work!

Have the ConDems read Mein Kampf? What will there next proposals be in their final solution?

mystique

sweetersong wrote: »

Petrolhead-I hope you do find something. What problems do you have, if you dont mind me asking (new to this board since a few days before xmas and I dont have the concentration level to go back to see).

There is a work from home job that I was going to do before I got worse, it is taking telephone calls from home for a home shopping company. There is a training period where you do online trainign for set hours 4 hrs a day, 5 days a week, and then to begin with you have to do a minimum of 20 hrs a week, the times to be chosen by yourself, and after a set period, your minimum can be lowered to 15 if you want. Its all legit, there is actually a thread on MSE about it, but I dont know whether its something you could/would want to do?

Unfortunately I can now neither do the time training, or guarantee I would be fit enough to do the contracted hours, so that options out for me, it was my last hope before I started claiming ESA

I really hope you find something

Do you have a link to this thread please, I might be interested in that.

Thanks.

cit_k

sh1305 wrote: »

You probably have to be dead...

nope,they would stop the claim as you were unable to attend the medical...

If you died during the medical, well the evidence that you managed to get their in the first place would probably mean they said you were fit for work even after death..

melbury

Just goes to prove that it definitely isn't worth going without and saving a bit for your old age, you just dip out all round.

Same old story; if you have haven't got anything you will be looked after by the state, but if you have managed to save a bit - through hard work and going without things - then you must look after yourself.

Certainly sends out the wrong message to people.

Personally I think you should get a higher rate if you have paid NI contributions for decades.

lavidaloca

heater wrote: »

All those worried about the proposed changes to ESA need to do something NOW. It will be too late once the law is passed.

Please sign the petition against the proposals. As a new user I am not allowed to post with links but if you put "stop the proposed changes to esa" in the search engine, you should be able to find the petition.

That petition doesn't cover the time limit change to contributory ESA. Unfortunately I can't find anywhere on the web where people want to fight against this.

heater

I thought it covered all the proposed changes to ESA. Perhaps we should start a petition against the time limit on the same site?
I have been contacting local disability organisations for advice on how to campaign against the time limit. I have also contacted my MP though he has been a waste of time. Raising awareness in helping via forums such as this should go some way to helping. The time limit has also been raised on the benefits and work website and the BBC Ouch website. If anyone knows of anything else we can do please post here.

heater

I have just found this! The RNIB have a letter which you can copy to your MP against the proposed changes to esa. The campaign includes the time limit of 1 year.

Again, as a new user I am unble to post any links so please put "RNIB esa and incapacity benefit changes - act now" into the search engine. Also please forward to anyone and everyone you think might be interested!

MrsManda

heater wrote: »

I have just found this! The RNIB have a letter which you can copy to your MP against the proposed changes to esa. The campaign includes the time limit of 1 year.

Again, as a new user I am unble to post any links so please put "RNIB esa and incapacity benefit changes - act now" into the search engine. Also please forward to anyone and everyone you think might be interested!

The link is this:
http://www.rnib.org.uk/getinvolved/campaign/yourmoney/Pages/ESA_and_IB.aspx

Though I don't know why the RNIB seems to always think it's better to send a standard letter to your MP rather than take part in the official consultations and make their opinions known before things start to be put into law and changes begin.

You can read the independent review of ESA and the Government response to the review at the link below
http://www.dwp.gov.uk/policy/welfare-reform/employment-and-support/wca-independent-review/

Supernatural

sh1305 wrote: »

You probably have to be dead...

The DWP would probably conclude you could gain employment as a railway sleeper...

eskimo26

OP i have cfs to and i'm fully expecting to get the boot, if this is the case i will find various work through the MSE section that deals with finding extra work (up your income section), or find part-time work for the minimum 16 hours.

You only need to scrape together 16 hours a week (2 hours 20 mins. a day including weekends) and you'll be eligible for tax credits with a possible top-up for disability if you meet the criteria. The tax credits I think (still researching) are comfortably more then any ESA payment would ever be. On top of that is any salary you make and also return to work credit if you meet the criteria.

On top of that I will try and meet the criteria for job grant. I'm putting a list of various job opportunities together right now so I can put the structure in place as part of the 'permitted work' that is allowed on ESA (up to 15 hours). As and when they shaft me or when i feel confident with my health (*snorts*) I will look for that extra hour that qualifies me for tax credits.

I'm working on it day to day in tiny increments, finding various small jobs that will add up the hours. I will set-up enough opportunities so that I have a fall back to make up hours if one job falls through for that week.

It is painful and tedious but doing it any other way is impossible as i'm sure your symptoms will attest it is better to pace these things.

Once the system's in place I will have money from tax credits (+ disability component top-up) + 1 year return to work credit + lump sum work grant + 16 hour salary for the small 16 hours a week I work. I'm convinced this will work out much more expensive for the Government then ESA payments.

At this point I can't work at all, but once i have all my sources together of various jobs i can do on a freelance as and when basis, it should allow me to fit the work around my symptoms and get a lot more money in then i ever was through ESA. Obviously at this point I would declare myself fit for work if necessary but right now that's an impossibility. Researching if the whole thing is realistic is a real uphill struggle with the brainfog and pain (i'm currently getting treatment for my CFS that will worsen my symptoms before things improve so that not nice either.)

I would recommend anyone with cfs to try and do the same. While you currently have the time put a little energy a day finding that 16 hours a week then ride it for all its worth in the Government's eyes.