Help Please - ESA Being stopped and no other options

Beetlebug1983

Hi,

My partner has been off work for a few years as he suffers from Bipolar. He's had a letter yesterday saying that his ESA claim (365 - whatever that means??) is ending on the 30th April. He called them and they said that there is nothing he can do about it, he can't claim anthing else and we are now effectively stuffed and will be down by £360.00 per month. We are not married, but have a mortgage together. I work full time and have some savings. Seems to me we'd be better of if I didn't work. I've worked since the age of 18 and just cannot believe the system!! They also told him that the Government think that a couple can live on £105 p/w - surely that can't be right.

His claim for DLA is unaffected. Is there anything out there? I've suggested he find work, but there is nothing out there and he's on a low due to his illness. This sucks.

Any help, advice grately received!

xx

MissMoneypenny

Beetlebug1983 wrote: »

They also told him that the Government think that a couple can live on £105 p/w - surely that can't be right.

That's what they have said; hence why a couple on jobseekers only get £105 per week.

It sounds like his contribution based ESA has come to an end and as he has a working partner, you are now expected to help pay for him until he gets better.

rogerblack

Beetlebug1983 wrote: »

They also told him that the Government think that a couple can live on £105 p/w - surely that can't be right.

His claim for DLA is unaffected. Is there anything out there? I've suggested he find work, but there is nothing out there and he's on a low due to his illness. This sucks.

Any help, advice grately received!

xx

The 105 figure is correct.
He can apply for JSA, or he can, if he has a new, or worsened condition, report that condition, and be possibly eligible for the support group.

If he becomes eligible for support group, they will be entitled again to ESA-C.

http://www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/m-06-11.pdf - sets out the support group criteria - on page 13.

You may be entitled to an increased amount of council tax benefit, or housing benefit, due to your drop in income.

pmlindyloo

There has been another thread about a similar story recently. See here:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3843251

MissMoneypenny

rogerblack wrote: »

You may be entitled to an increased amount of council tax benefit, or housing benefit, due to your drop in income.

OP said they have a mortgage; so no housing benefit.

MrsManda

Have you run a benefits check to see if you are entitled to claim anything else as a couple? If you're claiming tax credits then you need to report your decrease in income, if you're not claiming tax credits it may now be possible depending on your income. It's also worth checking about council tax benefit.

http://www.turn2us.org.uk/benefits_search.aspx

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Diol1/DoItOnline/DoItOnlineByCategory/DG_172666

If you are not entitled to claim anything else then you need to look at your household budget to see where you can cut down. The debtfreewannabe board is a good place to get ideas.

If you're likely to struggle paying your mortgage you need to speak to your mortgage lender as soon as you can to discuss your options though I think they'll want to see a break down of your income and outgoings so it's worth doing your budget and seeing where you can cut back first.

MissMoneypenny

Plus look at cost cutting (but keeping the same standard or higher) ideas on the Old Style moneysaving board

skintandscared_2

Has your partner ever worked? My OH has a serious mental health condition (he's separately been diagnosed as schizophrenic, bipolar and borderline personality disorders!) and during our 8 years together there have been 3 years when he could not work and I had to cover everything. However, there have been long periods of time when he could work (including now) and he finds part-time manageable. It certainly helps now that his income covers half the bills. Is there ANYTHING you think your OH might be able to do, even part-time?

rogerblack

skintandscared wrote: »

Is there ANYTHING you think your OH might be able to do, even part-time?

One problem.
If the OPs husband has a worsening condition, and they are likely to enter the support group due to it deteriorating, and they continue the ESA claim on a credits-only basis - then they can claim contributory ESA again once they become eligible for the support group.

However, if they stop claiming ESA, they cannot do this. (Unless they have been largely in work for 2 years since and are entitled on that basis)

Jaffa_cake_4

Call me cynical, but it would suit the Government perfectly if at the end of April lots of ESA's at the end of their 365 days took on any work, even though they are not up to it.

The fact they in this way break their tie to ever being able to claim the support element of ESA should their condition be worse that thought, or through deterioration of health, will be a nice bonus to the policy makers who are using "fairness" as a cutting cost smokescreen.

Broke_n_Broken

To get JSA he only needs to be able to look for work, whether he has a realistic prospect of getting a job doesn't seem to matter to the gov't at the mo, also housing benefit may cover your mortgage interest, so you should apply.
He should still get DLA if he's on JSA, or even if he gets a job. He could use the DLA to pay someone to support him with working.

EDIT; He wont get any money from JSA, but at least his NI will be paid

I've just been reminded of "supported work" programs, does what it says on the tin.