ESA Christmas Payments (NI)

spike7451

Sorry,just really need to sound off over this...Earlier on in the year I started to get bad chest pains & shortness of breath when walking so I went & saw my Doctor.He diagnosed Angina & in June I was laid off from the temp job because of my health.I have also has two TIA strokes.
On advice of the DSD & Veterans Agency,I claimed Contribution Based ESA & have been getting it since.
At the start of the month I had my assessment & last week,Thursday,I received a letter telling me I was,in their opinion,fit for work despite still being diagnosed as I type this.I think part of the problem lies with the MoD loosing my medical records as well.
Now I am appealing this on the basis I cannot even put the bins out without getting chest pains & the same going down the street shopping,I get breathless & chest pains. (I carry a Nitrolingual pump spray with me)
Anyway,I was told today that they had received my appeal & my ESA would start off from the 14th Dec & the payments should be back up & running either this week or next.
Problem now is that I am due a payment on 26th,although it's normally in my bank on the Saturday,however if the payments not re-set up yet I'll have no money until they re-open after Christmas.The DSD Dole office is open after the Christmas holidays.
So I think that my only option in this case is a Crisis Loan,I know it's a case of 'if' but if it was any other time of the year with normal hours,it wouldn't be as much of an issue.(I've been advised on a Crisis Loan by my Employment Counselor in Bangor Job Market just in case)

Anyway,seeing as I'm meant to get my ESA on the Saturday/Monday,does anyone know if it'll be paid in on the Thursday or Friday?..(I've looked in the relevent threads but they're England ect &,as we all know,Norn Irn is a different fish....

TIA.

casey_junior

Yes, it will be paid the Friday before. :beer:

damianmcr

The Friday is incorrect. It will be paid this Thursday 22/12/11:money:

If ESA dont pay you kick up an almighty ruckus with them. First port of call should be your local JBO/SSA. Please bear in mind tho that the staff here are not at fault tho they should hopefully help you get your payment. Failing that I would contact your MLA/MP.

ESA are seriously work shy.

donnac2558

I was told any payments due from the 25th-27th will be paid on the 23rd. It was the post office. NI Direct say the 24th but the PO said 23rd.

Pensions etc due on the 22nd will be paid that day as normal.

spike7451

Thanks,

I have to go to the dole in a bit to see about a crisis loan,with the way things stand,I cant afford to take the risk that I won't get my ESA this week because of my post above.

spike7451

UPDATE;

I'm just back now,according to the lady,my ESA claim is back on track & I get £135 on Friday.As I used the last of my money to get me to & from the DSD office twice today,I got a crisis loan of £17 odd,based on my daily rate.So thankfully it's all sorted.
Although it does urime me off a bit that I had to resort to these measures in order to get some information & peace of mind!
And the payment will be in my bank Friday morning,so up early & over to Asda & Lidl!

donnac2558

Glad you got sorted out and peace of mind for Christmas.

spike7451

donnac2558 wrote: »

Glad you got sorted out and peace of mind for Christmas.

Thanks Donna,I'm looking forward to getting a work placement in the ASSISI Animal Shelter hopefully in the new year as well..