ESA stopping - what do I do?

Sixer

Mara69 wrote: »

Oh, sorry I thought you said he worked over 24 hours (so assumed it was less than 25 hours a week). Full time is 36 hours (or, in my husband's case 50 hours a week). You should have said he works 36 hours+.

She "shouldn't" have said anything like that. The OP has been told that anyone in her situation with a partner with a job of 24 hours per week or more isn't eligible. She wasn't making any point about her husband other than he was over what she believes to be a 24-hour threshold.

You completely misunderstood her. So the "oh sorry" in your post would have been quite sufficient!

Perhaps someone could put her right on the actual nature of the means test? I'm not sure what it is, but I'm pretty sure it's not 24 hours.

BigAunty

The OP should go to the Turn2us online benefit calculator to check if there are any changes in Tax credits due to the loss of ESA and then model the future changes to them when the baby is born.

She should download the MSE budget planner and work through the site to identify how to slash spending. The forum and general site has a wealth of tips on how to live frugally, including info on the cheapest tariffs, cheapest recipes and so on.

I understand that there are online forums and support networks for those suffering from mental illness and she will probably find them very helpful and non-judgemental.

Sorry, OP, but though this is a benefits board, there is no magic bullet in terms of benefits to replace the ones you have lost. However, I understand that some people with severe depression and agoraphobia do get Disability Living Allowance so find a specialist disability organisation or depression/agoraphobia site for sympathy and info on the likelihood of you gaining DLA.

HB58

OP - the test for income based ESA works on hours worked, income and savings. So, in your scenario of someone working less than 24 hours a week and earning £20000, they would not get income related benefit either as the limit is in the region of £7500 per year.

Horseunderwater

WTC = 24 hours or more per week and income less than £17k gross between you - can OH do over 24 hours?
CTC = Depends on how many children you have. You will have two shortly? Therefore income limit will be over £26k for CTC I think it might be £28k gross.
Add up gross income from ESA and his work. Your ESA should be £3510 £67.50/week so add his figures from last payslip to that and get total. Then find out if OH pays into any salary sacrifice scheme like a pension or giftaide. Or does he pay for a pension via gross deduction at source. You need that yearly deduction. Helps lower gross income. Does he get use of health/medic insurance or phone/car use? Get all that together and if when figures are put into turn 2 us site, you get a revised possible income increase, ring them and explain your situation. Tell them your figures for past tax year and then tell them that you will not be getting any ESA now, so could you possibly claim more money based on estimated income for year 2012/13? Keep it as near as you can to actual known income.
Child benefit is not counted, nor is DLA if you apply and get awarded it.
You should attempt to get DLA based on how the agorophobia depression and Fatigue with the PA affects you. They want to know if you need help going outside your house into uncontrolled and crowded places ( do you need somebody with you). They will need to know how far you can walk on a bad day with or without stick. DLA is about getting you help to do stuff or keep you safer. In my case I get Low level Care and High level Mobility. DLA form can be downloaded to PC and filled in until you are satisfied you have it completed exactly how they ask. I did mine over and over, then in it went, took 6 weeks and I got it straight away. Do not see why you could not get low level of either as a minimum. Worth a try. Give it a try.