Benefits advice please

hannah9000

Hi all,

I am currently awaiting the results of a DLA appeal to independent tribunal. I have a respiratory disease which has now flared up to an extent where I can no longer work full time.
I have been reading about ESA and have a few questions (I'm expecting a call from a benefits advisor tomorrow but I'm not holding my breath!)
ESA is normally paid for 52 weeks only, but if you're in the Support Group having proved that your illness prevents you from working full time, is it still only paid for 52 weeks? What if your state of illness hasn't changed after that year of claiming ESA? What do you get then?!
I have also been told that I could claim Jobseekers Allowance (instead of ESA not as well as)...
I don't know which would be more beneficial to claim...I'd really rather not claim housing benefit as well so to be financially stable the Support Group ESA would be better for me but i'd need it for longer than 52 weeks because my illness is not going to go away.
I have a job, and I will be working 16 hours a week. I can't not have a job, I'd go mad.
Any advice?

Indie_Kid

That 52 weeks thing hasn't come in yet. It's only for those in the work related group who also claim contributions based ESA.

sleepless_saver

If you're working 16 hours a week, you wouldn't be entitled to JSA or ESA. But if you get the DLA and your disability puts you at a disadvantage in getting a job and your income (plus partner's if you have one) is low enough then you can claim working tax credit;).

hannah9000

I've already been told by benefits advisors that as long as I don't work over 16 hours a week I can claim ESA or JS.
I was just confused over the 52 week limit on ESA but I don't think that applies to the Support Group ESA...

sleepless_saver

hannah9000 wrote: »

I've already been told by benefits advisors that as long as I don't work over 16 hours a week I can claim ESA or JS.
I was just confused over the 52 week limit on ESA but I don't think that applies to the Support Group ESA...

You can work less than 16 hours, but my understanding is that if you work exactly 16 hours or more you would not be able to claim ESA/JSA (which is why so many people work 15 hours).