ESA help please (sorry!)

needing-help

I hope someone can help me. I was on contribution based ESA which finished at the end of last month. I then received a letter from atos telling me to go for a medical. Anyway I have been passed around from pillar to post and am totally confused.
I was told I may be able to claim contribution jsa but I was also told that if my condition has worsened (which it has) then they may put me in the support group.
Is this right since my wrag ESA has come to an end?

Torry_Quine

If your condition has worsened enough then you may be able to get into the support group but it's not easy to get into.

As you are no longer entitled to ESA contribution based then you won't get JSA either as the criteria is the same. Also you are not well and so couldn't fulfill the necessary requirements. I presume you either have a partner and or savings as your contribution ESA has ended.

needing-help

Thanks for the reply. Yes my husband works so we aren't entitled to income based. I wasn't sure if they could move me to a different group now my year had come to an end.
I know it's hard to get into, before I claimed and got into wrag my GP, consultant and specialist nurse all said I should go in the support group but good old atos didn't agree.
I am really not well enough to work but if I get refused this I won't have a choice. We really need the money.

needing-help

Sorry I keep trying to thank your post put as soon as I touch it it disappears!

MrsManda

You can still change groups if you meet the criteria. My CB ESA should've ended in April but after my review I was placed in the Support Group, to be reviewed in 6 months. However the Support Group criteria is strict and if you're considering working if your ESA payments stop it sounds like you won't be eligible. Why did your doctors think you should be in the Support Group rather than WRAG? Did you appeal the decision?


The criteria for the Support Group (Limited Capability for Work Related Activity) can be found in the 'Guide to the Work Capability Assessment' which can be downloaded from direct.gov.uk
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/Illorinjured/DG_172012


Have you put your household details into the benefits calculators to make sure you're claiming everything you are entitled to as a household?

If you are struggling with money it may be worth posting a statement of affairs on the debtfreewannabe board and seeing if you can reduce your outgoings.

needing-help

Thanks. I'm saying I will need to work but I'm not sure how many employers will take on someone who can't leave the house alone as it is too dangerous! Sometimes I am physically unable to get out of bed for days, my legs just stop working.
I suffer from incontinence, numb hands and feet and other stuff.
I've got great hair though lol.
I was going to appeal but I just couldn't face it, I just didn't have the energy for it.
I have done the calculator and put an soa up agaes ago but should probably do another one. I have reduced everything I can.

I have worked for 25 years and am finding this so hard to deal with.