ESA ending what next do i do ?

negativpitch

I am on the ESA work related activity group at the moment, although I have only ever had two visits to the job centre and not been asked to attend anything else in two years, the esa is due to end at the end of april due to the reforms,
I am unable to leave the house without my wife with me and have been like this for two years due to severe depression and suicidal attempts. and severe essential tremor in my head, hands, arms and chest, as well as having no concentration due to my mental health issues.
I had no problems with getting the ESA,
my wife last filled out the medical question form for the esa about two months ago as i find it hard to hold a pen to write, since sending the form off, I have been diagnosed with Bipolar and I am waiting on results from an ecg etc to go on quetiapine.
both my Psychologist and psychiatrist both agree that it is still far to early to move forward in such a way as trying to get a job when I am not able to even step outside the front door.
so what happens next ? my wife works full time, and the only thing i can think off is that they will put me on JSA, which would be fun as either my wife would need time to take me to the job centre and any interview that i may fall apart in, or take the time off to continue to come with me to my appointments for my treatments etc, she cant take time for both.
any feedback would be great.

melbury

Haven't you heard anything from ATOS or the DWP since your wife sent the form off? Two months seems a very long time with no word from them - do you know for sure that they actually received the form?

We are in the same position, I completed the form on my husband's behalf and sent it off 3 weeks ago, but haven't heard anything yet.:( I work full time and have to take time off to accompany my husband to hospital appointments, ATOS interviews etc etc.

I think it is totally disgusting that they are taking away contribution based ESA after twelve months, or from this April if you have already been in receipt of it. I don't earn that much, but they seem to think that is plenty to live on, whole thing makes me sick.

rogerblack

negativpitch wrote: »

, since sending the form off, I have been diagnosed with Bipolar and I am waiting on results from an ecg etc to go on quetiapine.

If your condition has worsened since you sent your form, call ESA, and report a worsening of your condition - the bipolar diagnosis, and any developing symptoms since then.

Understand the support group descriptors - http://www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/m-06-11.pdf - page 13 - and see if you can find any that match. If so, and you don't feel this was adequately described on the form, or you have more evidence you can possibly send - do this now.

If you are moved onto the support group based on an application before the end of ESA, your payments continue.

See if you may be eligible for DLA.
If you can provide evidence you are unable to leave the house without help, you will get at least some funding - similarly with being able to prepare a full meal.
http://www.nacc.org.uk/downloads/disability/adultguide.pdf may be of use - though it's not primarily on mental issues, it gives an idea.

Your council tax benefit, or housing benefit may rise, if your benefit stops.

You may claim JSA, but this is unfortunately complex.
JSA is supposed to be only claimable by fit people, who are able to work.
If you are not able to work, you may face difficulties claiming, unless you can convince them that you have a realistic prospect of doing some work.

I would advise first applying for DLA, and reporting a change of circumstances to ESA, if you can reasonably do this.

negativpitch

Haven't you heard anything from ATOS or the DWP since your wife sent the form off? Two months seems a very long time with no word from them - do you know for sure that they actually received the form?

my wife has filled out three in all, the very first one two years ago, which resulted in the medical, then another a bit later that I didnt hear anything about, and took it as not having to go for another medical, then the last one a few months ago which i mentioned in my post, which again I have had nothing about any medical again, but my ESA has continued all this time. I have no idea if the got the form as based on the second one I sent and didnt have anything back I took it as being the same.

If your condition has worsened since you sent your form, call ESA, and report a worsening of your condition - the bipolar diagnosis, and any developing symptoms since then.

many thanks for the information and links

Robbie64

Is your ESA ending due to the time limits which are coming in from April 29th? If so you could ask for a supersession of the decision to place you in the Work Related Activity Group rather than the Support Group. If successful you would be moved from from the WRAG to Support Group. I suggest you seek advice from a welfare rights organisation though.

Basically a supersession gets around the need to have appealed within 28 days from the date of decision (in your case, a decision to place you in WRAG rather than Support Group). Under a supersession a decision can be revised at any time.

See

http://www.dwp.gov.uk/publications/specialist-guides/technical-guidance/ni260-a-guide-to-revision-supersession/applying-for-a-decision-to-be/supercession/

But given what is required, seeking help from a welfare rights organisation is the best approach.

negativpitch

Robbie64 wrote: »

Is your ESA ending due to the time limits which are coming in from April 29th?
But given what is required, seeking help from a welfare rights organisation is the best approach.

yes to the april question,
which organisation would you recommend, my wife was just going to go with me to the job centre to see what they say, the lady i saw on the last occasions was very understanding and helpful, so we were going to try and see her again

the decision to put me in wrag was done over a year ago, but like I said. i have never had anything from them aprt from attending two meetings at the job centre and the woman said I wouldnt hear from her again and I didnt

uponahill

I just cannot understand some people's mindset.

"I get Contribution based ESA so why can't I stay on it till I feel better? - it may take another 10 years though!"

Simply because it is 'contribution based'. Logic dictates that there must come a time when that will have to run out. Otherwise you could have someone that worked full time for three years and spent the next 40 years or so carrying on the claim!

All that is being said is that you have had a payout of 12 months benefit because you paid the premiums.

If however you have no money coming in, then you claim the Income Based benefit.

negativpitch

uponahill wrote: »

I just cannot understand some people's mindset.

"I get Contribution based ESA so why can't I stay on it till I feel better? - it may take another 10 years though!"

Simply because it is 'contribution based'. Logic dictates that there must come a time when that will have to run out. Otherwise you could have someone that worked full time for three years and spent the next 40 years or so carrying on the claim!

All that is being said is that you have had a payout of 12 months benefit because you paid the premiums.

If however you have no money coming in, then you claim the Income Based benefit.

I posted for advise not to get slated for asking about it, you know nothing about my life and what has gone on, and until you walk in my shoes then please refrain form trying to comment on my post with such negative comments, do you know what goes through your mind as you loop the electric flex around your neck and then gasp for air as you hang there ? maybe not and I hope you never will.
I have twice, my illness causes me not to be able to face the world and anyone, yet I am still expected to look for work it seems without being able to qualify for any other benefit, and for the second time we are fighting for our house not to be repossessed, as we cant afford to pay everything on my wifes wage, and yes we are already with a debt company, so please try to explain that to my two 8 year old daughters, when they ask, why doesnt daddy smile anymore.
thats what I love about forums and keyboard warriors theres always someone waiting to have a go.

dave030445

negativpitch wrote: »

I posted for advise not to get slated for asking about it, you know nothing about my life and what has gone on, and until you walk in my shoes then please refrain form trying to comment on my post with such negative comments, do you know what goes through your mind as you loop the electric flex around your neck and then gasp for air as you hang there ? maybe not and I hope you never will.
I have twice, my illness causes me not to be able to face the world and anyone, yet I am still expected to look for work it seems without being able to qualify for any other benefit, and for the second time we are fighting for our house not to be repossessed, as we cant afford to pay everything on my wifes wage, and yes we are already with a debt company, so please try to explain that to my two 8 year old daughters, when they ask, why doesnt daddy smile anymore.
thats what I love about forums and keyboard warriors theres always someone waiting to have a go.

There are lots of people on this forum that are ready to have a pop at people. uponahill in my view has not said anything bad to you at all he has just stated facts ok his opening line could of been a bit friendler. But there is alot worse out there. As your condition has got worse for god sake phone the dwp and tell them they are not mind readers. Then maybe you will be put in the support group. but you wont unless you tell them.

Jaffa_cake_4

Hello all, and my sympathy and empathy to Negativpitch on this. I find it incredible that although there is a supposed income based altenative once the 12 month period ends, if your partner works more than 24 hrs you are inelligibe, no mater how low the income you may have as a couple to live on afterwards.

Jaffa_cake_4

rogerblack wrote: »

.

You may claim JSA, but this is unfortunately complex.
JSA is supposed to be only claimable by fit people, who are able to work.
If you are not able to work, you may face difficulties claiming, unless you can convince them that you have a realistic prospect of doing some work.

Thanks for this information Roger,

yet it seems to be that by the Government's own logic behind the changes now coming into place, that after 12 months you suddenly become capable of work, it's not logical they can then refuse JSA on the grounds you are not then fit to work.

If that is so then by defination you should be in the Support group, not Work related.

Can they have it both ways?