Is this the amount to be expected from these benefits?

seasonalbiz

My mate was sacked in May from a company he had been working for since about '05, he was sacked because the company were unhappy with the amount of time he was taking off for hospital appointments as he suffers from sleep apnea, despite the time being booked as holiday... but anyway, he is awaiting a date for tribunal and so this is a whole other story...

His doctor has signed him off work while he is treated for the disorder which (if all else fails) will result in throat surgery later this year. He is claiming ESA, council tax and housing benefit... but the amounts are still coming in fits and starts and to date he has received just over £3k in total. His rent is £500pcm (£450-500pcm is the norm for 2bed private rented accom in this area), which means he has had just over £50p/w to pay everything other than rent, and he lives in a 2 bed place because he has his son most weekends.

I've never claimed any benefits, and he's only ever signed on the dole for short periods between jobs - so neither of us has any idea what should be expected. He comes to my office whats seems like every other day to use the phone for various 08' numbers to speak to the DWP, who keep passing him from pillar to post telling him to see the CAB, who have a list of people to see in the same boat.

Is this the sort of money he should expect from these benefits?

cosmic-dust

Although he has a 2 bed place he won't be eligible for full housing benefit for a 2 bed place, he will only be eligible for a 1 bed place (assuming he is over 25). He doesn't get the other room for his child who stays over at the weekend and as such he will have to pay the shortfall himself.

seasonalbiz wrote: »

My mate was sacked in May from a company he had been working for since about '05, he was sacked because the company were unhappy with the amount of time he was taking off for hospital appointments as he suffers from sleep apnea, despite the time being booked as holiday... but anyway, he is awaiting a date for tribunal and so this is a whole other story...

His doctor has signed him off work while he is treated for the disorder which (if all else fails) will result in throat surgery later this year. He is claiming ESA, council tax and housing benefit... but the amounts are still coming in fits and starts and to date he has received just over £3k in total. His rent is £500pcm (£450-500pcm is the norm for 2bed private rented accom in this area), which means he has had just over £50p/w to pay everything other than rent, and he lives in a 2 bed place because he has his son most weekends.

I've never claimed any benefits, and he's only ever signed on the dole for short periods between jobs - so neither of us has any idea what should be expected. He comes to my office whats seems like every other day to use the phone for various 08' numbers to speak to the DWP, who keep passing him from pillar to post telling him to see the CAB, who have a list of people to see in the same boat.

Is this the sort of money he should expect from these benefits?

dark_lady

seasonalbiz wrote: »

My mate was sacked in May from a company he had been working for since about '05, he was sacked because the company were unhappy with the amount of time he was taking off for hospital appointments as he suffers from sleep apnea, despite the time being booked as holiday... but anyway, he is awaiting a date for tribunal and so this is a whole other story...

His doctor has signed him off work while he is treated for the disorder which (if all else fails) will result in throat surgery later this year. He is claiming ESA, council tax and housing benefit... but the amounts are still coming in fits and starts and to date he has received just over £3k in total. His rent is £500pcm (£450-500pcm is the norm for 2bed private rented accom in this area), which means he has had just over £50p/w to pay everything other than rent, and he lives in a 2 bed place because he has his son most weekends.

I've never claimed any benefits, and he's only ever signed on the dole for short periods between jobs - so neither of us has any idea what should be expected. He comes to my office whats seems like every other day to use the phone for various 08' numbers to speak to the DWP, who keep passing him from pillar to post telling him to see the CAB, who have a list of people to see in the same boat.

Is this the sort of money he should expect from these benefits?

This should be drawn to the attention of the many benefit bashers on this site who keep saying "get a job" to people claiming ESA. What happened to your friend proves that employers wont play ball to the unrealistic ideals peddled by the Government and Daily Mail readers.

seasonalbiz

cosmic-dust wrote: »

Although he has a 2 bed place he won't be eligible for full housing benefit for a 2 bed place, he will only be eligible for a 1 bed place (assuming he is over 25). He doesn't get the other room for his child who stays over at the weekend and as such he will have to pay the shortfall himself.

see what you mean... so in that case does that amount sound about right then?

cit_k

Assessment rate of ESA is something around 64 pounds or so, cant remember exact figure.

Anyone claiming ESA, should be paid the assessment rate, until a decision is made on fitness for work.

seasonalbiz

cit_k wrote: »

Assessment rate of ESA is something around 64 pounds or so, cant remember exact figure.

Anyone claiming ESA, should be paid the assessment rate, until a decision is made on fitness for work.

Is that not about the same as the dole?