Yet another ESA query

Resident_Evil

My husband has received a letter stating his cb esa will be stopping as he has been clamining for 18 months due to a stroke. We had already applied for income based esa at the beginning but was judged not to have qualified as I work term time 18.5 hrs and earn £7000pa. I was under the impression that under the new rules we would be entitled to income base esa as I work less than 24 hrs per week and have no savings but the recent letter does not mentions hrs worked only that I earn too much to qualify for ib esa.

Can anyone clarify this please?

midnight_express

IB ESA is based on earnings so you won't be entitled. You could try claiming Council Tax Benefit and Housing Benefit if appropriate.

Resident_Evil

We do already claim Council Tax Benefit (only about £15 pw). Unfortunately, we have a mortgage so no help there and this is what I am most worried about. It seems that we are going to be forced to sell our house, I just cannot see any other alternative.

pmlindyloo

What is the situation with your husband? Does he claim DLA? Is he able to get a part time job? If he is unfit for work does he qualify to be in the Support Group of ESA?

Sorry for all the questions! Just trying to see if you would be entitled to any more help.

Resident_Evil

Yes he does claim DLA, he was refused it intially then was granted after appeal, although we have just been sent another form as it is up for renewal. I am thinking we need to ask for a new application to be put into the support group as his condition has not improved. He has other health issues and has been told his kidney function has deteriated markedly over the last few months and dialisis will be necessary in the future. He does not have the energy or good health for work. I have also thought about trying to get a full time job but I don't feel he can be left to cope on his own at home full time.

midnight_express

If you increase your hours to 24+ you might be entitled to working tax credits. When the ESA stops you should be entitled to more CTB.
You could look at the debt free and old style boards for ideas on cutting your outgoings.

pmlindyloo

Have a look at the descriptors for the Support Group ESA to see if your husband might qualify.

http://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/employment-and-support-allowance/esa-glossary/1353-support-group-descriptors

Any chance of increasing your hours to the 24 needed to qualify for Working Tax credits? If not could you do some extra hours as self employed (I'm thinking Avon/Betterware etc etc ) to up your hours to 24?

Resident_Evil

Thanks, just feel we have fallen into a big black hole.

gilbertx

Hi

my husband has worked full time from the age of 16 and is now 41 , i also have never not worked .
my hubby has been on esa for a year and is stopping in a couple of weeks he has MS cant walk very far no balance cant grip and has accidents due to his condition , i work 38 hours and its min wage we have one child at school mortgage .
he is on dla higher rate , is there anything we can do

pmlindyloo

It sounds as if your husband should apply for the Support Group ESA.

Have a look at the descriptors in post 7 to see if you think he qualifies.

Muttleythefrog

In addition to the standard Support Group descriptors, it is conceivable he could argue that he qualifies for Support Group under special circumstances criteria.. namely that 'any person (him in this case) would be at significant risk if not found to have limited capability for work related activity'