A Question About Losing Incapacity Benefit

a1jonuk

Hi All,

I had my assessment on the 2.12.2011 and received a letter today saying I am no longer entitled to incapacity benefit or income support as I am "Fit For Work"

I got 12 points which is not enough apparently as I needed 15 points.

I am thinking of appealing and will get in touch with the CAB on Monday.

The letter says I may be entitled to Job Seekers Allowance and I would need to put in a claim if I wanted to apply for it.

My question is this : I was on £94.25 Incapacity Benefit and £2.10 Income Support so £96.35 total. I read that Jobseekers Allowance is £65.70 so a difference of £30.65. Do I just lose that £30.65 a week?

If I do it would mean no money for heating(gas) or food, so I would either freeze to death or die of starvation, I wonder which would come first?

It also says I would need to attend the local jobcentre. My "local" jobcentre is a 30 mile round trip. I have a serious mental health condition and cannot use public transport due to panic issues but aside from that the return fare is about £9 or £10. Do they pay that? If not then that would mean no money for electric either, so they might as well put me out on the street.

The assessment was carried out by a nurse who had no mental health qualifications from what I could gather, my support worker/care co-ordinator gave me a copy of my care plan from her and the psychiatrist saying how my extreme anxiety/panic phobia meant I could rarely leave the flat, struggle to use the telephone, could not be in any group situations etc, I gave them a copy of that but I am still fit for work apparently.
I am on a lot of meds for my menatl health issues and also angina medication and serious pain issues in my lower back.

Thanks for any replies/advice.

Andrew.

rogerblack

If you apply for JSA, you go onto the JSA rate, with nothing else. (unless/until you get a job)
If you appeal your ESA decision, you get the assessment rate of ESA - which is the same as JSA - while appealing.
First thing to do is to phone them up, or send a letter (registered if possible) and request a 'written statement of reasons' as well as all the evidence they used to make the decision.
This can be done by someone else, if you are willing to appoint them as your representative.

a1jonuk

Thank you for reply.
I have been to CAB and they will help .

AimeesMum_2

Why were you getting income support along with your incapacity benefit?

Do you have children or a partner?

a1jonuk

No children (all grown up). Wife left last year so no partner either.

I was getting it because I applied for it after someone on here mentioned I may get a small amount of income support.

Any reason for asking?