Welfare Reform Bill and Contributory ESA

amber1979

Hi,

My partner gets the above benefit (after appeal).

Does anybody know how the Welfare Reform Bill is going to affect it? I've been getting conflicting information. Some say it will stop in April, others that'll it continue....

Help! We're bloody terrified! I earn a low wage and we already live a frugally as possible.

dookar

It's not been passed as law yet, but the plan is for ESA(c) to be limited to twelve months. So it would cease after 12 months of receipt. I understand this will happen immediately for those who have been in receipt for twelve months next April

amber1979

So they expect two people to live on one very low wage? We'd be better off on the dole. Stupid plan.

I_luv_cats

amber1979 wrote: »

Hi,

My partner gets the above benefit (after appeal).

Does anybody know how the Welfare Reform Bill is going to affect it? I've been getting conflicting information. Some say it will stop in April, others that'll it continue....

Help! We're bloody terrified! I earn a low wage and we already live a frugally as possible.

There was talk that ESA (C) would only be paid for a year for those in the Work group.

If this is the case you'd have to see if you can get tax credits / housing benefit and Council Tax benefit (if applicable)

MrsManda

If your ESA contribution based runs out you are reassessed for income based ESA.
As I luv cats said, you may get an increase in other benefits such as housing benefit and tax credits if/when your partner's ESA(CB) runs out if he's not entitled to income based.
As Dookar said, I don't think it's been passed into law yet so it may not happen though it looks likely that this part of the bill will pass.

Harold_Hardup

I too receive Cont based ESA and have done so for the last 18 months. Despite reading as much as possible regarding the Welfare Reform changes, I cannot see WHEN the ESA will cease precisely!

As letters are currently going out to advise of probable changes, will then I continue until it is law in April 2012, or do you think it likely that it will cease immediately? yes I?WE are well below 6K savings and have no other form of income other than carers allowance for my wife (looks after Mother who lives with us) and indeed a small income support payment. We do not pay Council tax either and can just about get by on a week by week basis.

My concern is not that I will not be able to transfer over to income related ESA but when the change will ACTUALLY happen. I understand IESA is means tested and that is fine; I assume they will want bank statements etc? But are they likely for example to say that my CESA will stop immediately or do you feel it will not cease until the April 2012 time? Information is vague at best regarding this element.

It is not a big concern that I will not be transferred over; it is the when? Surely if April is the 'law' date, then that is when it will happen?

Thanks

Harold

Chorlie

If the 12 month ESA (c) for WRAG becomes law, you will be entitled to it for 12 months only, after that time you can be assessed for ESA (Income Based).

This is planned to start in April 2012, so if you have been on ESA(c) for 12 months or more at that time you will loose your entitlement to the allowance.


http://www.dwp.gov.uk/adviser/updates/proposed-changes-to-contribution/

Harold_Hardup

Many thanks. But not until April then will a migration take place?

H

Pepzofio

Harold_Hardup wrote: »

Many thanks. But not until April then will a migration take place?

H

Basically, yes.

Harold_Hardup

Only one somewhat contradictory element seems to be cropping up which is JC+ are intending to roll this out prior to April 2012. I don't mean the letter that is going out, I'm referring to the info on the government site tat states changes will be done by 2011 end???.

Which really was the basis of my question, in so far as will changes occur prior to the April 2012 indication? Seems ludicrous if they can do it that way!

H

NASA_2

The legislation to enable this hasnt come in yet so they will not do it ahead of April 2012.

Though people claiming in northern Ireland may get away with it for longer as the nI assembly hasnt even got close to passing the legislation yet despite the fact they only need to copy Westminster amending the regs along the way.