Confused about the two rates of ESA...

Natty68

I am a tad bit confused about the two rates of ESA now..

Is the contribution and the income related one only related if you are placed in the work group.?

Or is it also for the support group as well?

The only reason I ask is that I have been reassured by my mental health team that I should get into the support group, after me getting into a right two and eight over it and convincing myself I am going to lose my benefits..

If it's for both groups what is the point? My illness is not going to get better after 12 months, I'm not going to miraculously be able to get a job after the 12 months..especially as I am undergoing 2 years of councelling/group therapy and psychological stuff.. And I won't qualify for IR ESA for the same reason I won't qualify for JSA - my DH has too much savings etc..

I'm really confused..

sunnyone

Natty68 wrote: »

I am a tad bit confused about the two rates of ESA now..

Is the contribution and the income related one only related if you are placed in the work group.?

Or is it also for the support group as well?

The only reason I ask is that I have been reassured by my mental health team that I should get into the support group, after me getting into a right two and eight over it and convincing myself I am going to lose my benefits..

If it's for both groups what is the point? My illness is not going to get better after 12 months, I'm not going to miraculously be able to get a job after the 12 months..especially as I am undergoing 2 years of councelling/group therapy and psychological stuff.. And I won't qualify for IR ESA for the same reason I won't qualify for JSA - my DH has too much savings etc..

I'm really confused..

Your mental health team no diddly squat about what group ESA you will be put in and since the descriptors are just changing they probably dont even know there is a change never mind how it relates to you.

Are all none mental disabilities going to be better after 12 months?

Mosts are more perminant than MH difficulties and most physically disabled people also have mental health problems caused by their disabilities.

Natty68

The reason I mentioned 12 months was because you lose the Contributions ESA after 12 months and I think go over to Income related after that.. But wasn't sure hence the reason I was asking, also wasn't sure if they related to the work related group only or to both groups..

There was no reason for you to attack me on this post, I asked what I thought was a fair question..

I am sorry I bothered to ask now..

dmg24

sunnyone wrote: »

Your mental health team no diddly squat about what group ESA you will be put in and since the descriptors are just changing they probably dont even know there is a change never mind how it relates to you.

Are all none mental disabilities going to be better after 12 months?

Mosts are more perminant than MH difficulties and most physically disabled people also have mental health problems caused by their disabilities.

Whilst I agree that the MH Team will have no idea about what group the OP will get put into, I doubt very much that you have the knowledge to make the highlighted statement.

dmg24

Natty68 wrote: »

The reason I mentioned 12 months was because you lose the Contributions ESA after 12 months and I think go over to Income related after that.. But wasn't sure hence the reason I was asking, also wasn't sure if they related to the work related group only or to both groups..

There was no reason for you to attack me on this post, I asked what I thought was a fair question..

I am sorry I bothered to ask now..

No one can tell you what group you will get put into. I understand it is stressful, but you would be best to concentrate on gathering some solid evidence on your condition i.e. reports from your GP, psychiatrist etc. At least then you will be well prepared for the WCA process.

sunnyone

dmg24 wrote: »

Whilst I agree that the MH Team will have no idea about what group the OP will get put into, I doubt very much that you have the knowledge to make the highlighted statement.

You CAN get better from serious MH illnesses, you CANT from serious spinal or other serious perminant disabilities which is the point I was making.

dmg24

sunnyone wrote: »

You CAN get better from serious MH illnesses, you CANT from serious spinal or other serious perminant disabilities which is the point I was making.

You can get better from some serious MH conditions, others you cannot. The likes of bipolar, schizophrenia etc can become better managed, although in many cases they never are, but that does not mean someone is cured and/ or able to work. There are plenty of physical conditions that the same would apply to.

healy

Natty68 wrote: »

The reason I mentioned 12 months was because you lose the Contributions ESA after 12 months and I think go over to Income related after that.. But wasn't sure hence the reason I was asking, also wasn't sure if they related to the work related group only or to both groups..

There was no reason for you to attack me on this post, I asked what I thought was a fair question..

I am sorry I bothered to ask now..

I cannot see any attack on you in sunnyones post.

It would be hard to say which group you are would be put in without details of your problems but very few are going in the Support group.

sunnyone

dmg24 wrote: »

You can get better from some serious MH conditions, others you cannot. The likes of bipolar, schizophrenia etc can become better managed, although in many cases they never are, but that does not mean someone is cured and/ or able to work. There are plenty of physical conditions that the same would apply to.

yes and no, spinal injuries cant be cured but yes some serious physical conditions can be cured but the same physically disabled people will often have MH problems caused by the physical injuries.

The Op mentioned working and only in relation to the means testing proposed to the WRAG of ESA and that they wont be fit to work from their own doctors viewpoint within 12 months, even if a miracle happened and I was visited by god to be cured of my physical disability my MH disability would still be present.

rogerblack

Natty68 wrote: »

I am a tad bit confused about the two rates of ESA now..

Is the contribution and the income related one only related if you are placed in the work group.?

Or is it also for the support group as well?
.

Contributory or income related ESA is for everything.

If you are not eligable for income related ESA (household income too high) and you are eligable for contributory ESA, then you get paid contributory ESA only for 12 months (IIRC).

If you do not have an income, then you get income related ESA, 'forever' (well - as long as you fail jumping through their hoops).

Check for other benefits you may be eligable for - DLA, for example.

Natty68

sunnyone wrote: »

yes and no, spinal injuries cant be cured but yes some serious physical conditions can be cured but the same physically disabled people will often have MH problems caused by the physical injuries.

The Op mentioned working and only in relation to the means testing proposed to the WRAG of ESA and that they wont be fit to work from their own doctors viewpoint within 12 months, even if a miracle happened and I was visited by god to be cured of my physical disability my MH disability would still be present.

Ok now I'm confused. I didn't mention working all I mentioned was the work related group and support group. I don't know that much about the new ESA hence why I am worrying over it, or trying not to..

I should say that I have been on IB and am awaiting migration to ESA, although awaiting is the wrong word - more like dreading..

I never mentioned that my doctors said 12 months.. I was the one that said 12 months, and I made it clearer in the post under that - that what I actually meant was I would lose ESA after 12 months, as if my MH would miraculously go away. If it hasn't gone away after 15 yrs then it certainly isn't going away now..although I wish it would!!

Unfortunately I have to live with my Bipolar II and Borderline Personality for the rest of my life. I have also been told that although they can manage it so far with drugs it won't stop my tendencies to SH or have manias altogether. My pdoc thinks I could even be drug resistant, he's not entirely sure on that one, but thinks it could be as I am on the higher dosages of my drugs and still getting episodes.

I am sorry for those that have other illness/disabilities and I am by no means belittling them. I was just asking for my own benefit..

No my MHT team don't know what group I will get put in, but they have said in their opinion I am not fit for work as it would be more stressful for me in the long term. And they will fight tooth and nail to help me, as and when needed.

I am sorry if I'm not making sense I am just coming down from a high episode and my mind is all foggy and all over the place..