ESA coming to an end, but too ill to work

Just...Yvette

fogartyblue. wrote: »

Absolutely. There were very few appeals about which group you were put in over the past 2/3 years and now, we have a shed load of them - maybe the 365 days limit has something to do with it??

As you say, people seem to be tripping over themselves trying to get into the Support Group before the 365th day comes round. People will do anything when it comes to benefit money!

Of course the 365 days limit has something to do with it - why else would an ill person put themselves through the stress of a difficult, lengthy appeal, and having to travel to a tribunal? Won't most people 'do anything' when it comes to money if it is money that they are dependent on, and they are prevented through ill health from working?

I always protested being put in the work related activity group. I asked for a reconsideration in the hope of being put in the support group, but was unsuccessful. Whether I was in the WRAG or the support group made little practical difference; only a few pounds a week more, the 365 day limit was not in force then, and I was reassured by the advisors at my local job centre that I would not be made to do any work related activity (and true to their word they hardly bothered me during the year I was receiving ESA), so after careful consideration I decided not to put myself through the stress of appealing.

BurnleyBob

Pobby wrote: »

I take it you do not have health issues that prevent you from work? Mind you another plonker with a pretty stupid post!

Foggy is amongst the most charmless characters hereabouts who delights at introducing his own brand of invective at regular intervals.

Pobby

BurnleyBob wrote: »

Foggy is amongst the most charmless characters hereabouts who delights at introducing his own brand of invective at regular intervals.

Thanks for the heads up. My guess is if Foggy was in the same position that person would be the first to holler.

mealone

woodbine wrote: »

i`m sure there are many genuine cases where conditions have worsened,including the OP
however i`m also amazed that as 30th april approaches people are scrabbling around for any reason not to lose their esa,whilst we non of us may like the changes the FACT is that CB esa now has a finite lifespan of 365 days,but those who`s household income/savings are below the set level will be moved to Income Based esa

Its a disgrace that people who dont have chance in hell of getting in the support group are appealing to get into that group just because they can and that is overwhelling the appealing system.

redundantjune09

I'm in a similar position with ESA, mine finished on the 30th April. I have been told that as I live with my boyfriend (we're not married) and he works 60 hrs I will get nothing. Quick explanation of my situation - I broke my foot 2 and half years ago and it never healed even after having surgery. Found it really difficult to walk on a broken foot and doc put me on sick Dec 2010. Went onto ESA April 2011. Had further surgery in Aug 2011 and spent 26 weeks with a cast on my leg, now waiting for further surgery in about July/Aug this year. Have rang the DSS and been told will definitely not receive any benefit so need to live on fresh air or my boyfriend has to keep me. When I said I didn't feel this was fair as I had paid my dues for 28 years and this was first time I had claimed and that I had paid my dues as individual and not part as a couple the lady agreed with me - she suggested I write to my local MP. I have done so, but as yet no reply - surprise surprise. I think this is a disgrace - if you are ill you can't always recover in 12 months. I will be able to return to work, just not yet until after my next surgery. If I had never worked and had always been on benefits I would be better off, also if my boyfriend left me I would be better off - would get housing benefit/council tax benefit/free dental/free prescriptions etc. If they carried on paying me my ESA I would be ok and quite happy. All I have been getting is the £91 a week ESA and from now on will get nothing. Anyone any ideas as to what I can do now???

[Deleted User]

you cant do anything,what you are seeing are the results of this govts welfare reform,as the reforms were going thru many of us took the time to understand what they were upto and shouted it from the rooftops,sadly most people didnt bother and said nowt,so lots of people are now paying for this silence.

Parva

redundantjune09 wrote: »

I'm in a similar position with ESA, mine finished on the 30th April. I have been told that as I live with my boyfriend (we're not married) and he works 60 hrs I will get nothing. Quick explanation of my situation - I broke my foot 2 and half years ago and it never healed even after having surgery. Found it really difficult to walk on a broken foot and doc put me on sick Dec 2010. Went onto ESA April 2011. Had further surgery in Aug 2011 and spent 26 weeks with a cast on my leg, now waiting for further surgery in about July/Aug this year. Have rang the DSS and been told will definitely not receive any benefit so need to live on fresh air or my boyfriend has to keep me. When I said I didn't feel this was fair as I had paid my dues for 28 years and this was first time I had claimed and that I had paid my dues as individual and not part as a couple the lady agreed with me - she suggested I write to my local MP. I have done so, but as yet no reply - surprise surprise. I think this is a disgrace - if you are ill you can't always recover in 12 months. I will be able to return to work, just not yet until after my next surgery. If I had never worked and had always been on benefits I would be better off, also if my boyfriend left me I would be better off - would get housing benefit/council tax benefit/free dental/free prescriptions etc. If they carried on paying me my ESA I would be ok and quite happy. All I have been getting is the £91 a week ESA and from now on will get nothing. Anyone any ideas as to what I can do now???

Go back to work maybe? I wish a 'pot' was my only problem, I would go back tomorrow just to get out of the house!

fogartyblue.

Pobby wrote: »

I take it you do not have health issues that prevent you from work? Mind you another plonker with a pretty stupid post!

Errr yes I do have unfortunately.

I won't go into the long list of them on here, but just one of them was sufficient to put me in the support group of ESA for 3 years in Jan 2010!

I was only quoting facts - you only have to do a little research on this site to see them!

If being put in the 'wrong' group in say 2008, 2009, 2010 why wasn't there the same number of appeals as there are now?

Is it something to do with the realisation that CB ESA will now finish after 365 days?

fogartyblue.

Just...Yvette wrote: »

Of course the 365 days limit has something to
do with it - why else would an ill person put themselves through the stress of a
difficult, lengthy appeal, and having to travel to a tribunal? Won't most
people 'do anything' when it comes to money if it is money that they are
dependent on, and they are prevented through ill health from working?





I always protested being put in the work related activity group. I asked for
a reconsideration in the hope of being put in the support group, but was
unsuccessful. QUOTE]

But no one will lose the ability to claim ESA. The only difference is that most people do not see that it is fair that those on CB ESA, continue to receive benefit year after year. It is plainly unaffordable now.

There has to be a 'cut off' You will still continue to receive ESA but it becomes a 'means tested' benefit.

Surely you cannot agree that say a wife who is claiming CB ESA, expects it to be paid ad infinitum, whilst at the same time, hubby is on a salary of say £35,000 a year?
Yes the wife may be unable to work due to ill health, but surely it is immoral for her to be allowed to top up the family income to that extent?

Sixer

fogartyblue. wrote: »

Errr yes I do have unfortunately.


Is it something to do with the realisation that CB ESA will now finish after 365 days?

Of course it does. But appeals are stressful. Many claimants may have decided not to appeal originally because of the stress of the procedure and the relatively small financial difference between WRAG and SG payments. The 365 day rule changes that calculation completely.