Employment and Support Allowance

greenorange

I am registered partially sighted/blind (some vision). I am also a full time university student going into my final year. I rent a 1 bed flat and receive housing benefit (due to being a disabled student) at the bedsit rate.

I am limited to the job type that I can do. For example, I worked at a bingo hall, but kept missing people holding their hand up for change. Angry elderly bingo players meant I couldn't stay at that job.

Someone mentioned I maybe able to claim ESA while I'm looking for a job.

Would I be eligible for this? From what I have found so far, disabled students can make a claim if they receive DLA, which I do. Is this correct?

Many thanks

pmlindyloo

greenorange wrote: »

I am registered partially sighted/blind (some vision). I am also a full time university student going into my final year. I rent a 1 bed flat and receive housing benefit (due to being a disabled student) at the bedsit rate.

I am limited to the job type that I can do. For example, I worked at a bingo hall, but kept missing people holding their hand up for change. Angry elderly bingo players meant I couldn't stay at that job.

Someone mentioned I maybe able to claim ESA while I'm looking for a job.

Would I be eligible for this? From what I have found so far, disabled students can make a claim if they receive DLA, which I do. Is this correct?

Many thanks

Yes, you can make a claim but you would have to be assessed for income based ESA and any loans/grants may be taken into consideration.

See here:

http://www.turn2us.org.uk/information__resources/benefits/education/benefits_and_students.aspx

Cpt.Scarlet

greenorange wrote: »

Someone mentioned I maybe able to claim ESA while I'm looking for a job.

If you are looking for a job you should be claiming JSA, ESA is for people who are unable to work due to illness or disability.

kingfisherblue

DLA and ESA have different descriptors. DLA is not an out of work benefit, whereas ESA is for people who are unable to work.

If you are able to work, but are limited int he work that you can do due to your disability, ask to speak to a disability advisor at the Job Centre.

epitome

Cpt.Scarlet wrote: »

If you are looking for a job you should be claiming JSA, ESA is for people who are unable to work due to illness or disability.

It's part of the script now for new claims for JSA & IS that when the customer says they are blind or partially sighted, the agent is supposed to say ... "You may be eligible for ESA"

OP, If you claim ESA you will need doctors fit notes to say you are unable to work, or have a limited capacity for work.....ongoing sick notes for 14 weeks or more until you pass a DWP medical.

Horseunderwater

greenorange wrote: »

I am registered partially sighted/blind (some vision). I am also a full time university student going into my final year. I rent a 1 bed flat and receive housing benefit (due to being a disabled student) at the bedsit rate.

I am limited to the job type that I can do. For example, I worked at a bingo hall, but kept missing people holding their hand up for change. Angry elderly bingo players meant I couldn't stay at that job.

Someone mentioned I maybe able to claim ESA while I'm looking for a job.

Would I be eligible for this? From what I have found so far, disabled students can make a claim if they receive DLA, which I do. Is this correct?

Many thanks

This link lists the descriptors for ESA and number 8 may be pertinent, but it would place you in the Work related group and if your income is very low it might be in the means tested one rather than the contributions based one. You can ring them up and do the application by phone initially and explain that you are partly sited. They send it out to you to check for accuracy, sign it and return it. That gets you onto the assessment rate for upto 13 weeks, you will need a fit note stating that you can work in certain situations only - GP can sort that. Send that in as soon as you get it. You need to keep obtaining those for as long as it takes. Can be loads longer than 13 weeks sometimes.
http://pseudo-living.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/esa-descriptors-and-points.html

Dunroamin

Cpt.Scarlet wrote: »

If you are looking for a job you should be claiming JSA, ESA is for people who are unable to work due to illness or disability.

The OP is a full time student and so ineligible for JSA.

Cpt.Scarlet

Dunroamin wrote: »

The OP is a full time student and so ineligible for JSA.

Sorry - I missed the student bit, however it doesn't change the point that if the OP is actively seeking work then they shouldn't be claiming ESA.

Morlock

Cpt.Scarlet wrote: »

Sorry - I missed the student bit, however it doesn't change the point that if the OP is actively seeking work then they shouldn't be claiming ESA.

Why not? ESA claimants are within their rights to do 'Permitted Work'.

"Under the Permitted Work rules you can:

• work for less than 16 hours a week on average, with earnings up to £97.50 a week for 52 weeks
• work for less than 16 hours a week, on average, with earnings up to £97.50 a week if you are in the Support Group of the main phase of Employment and Support Allowance
• work and earn up to £20 a week, at any time, for as long as you are receiving Employment and Support Allowance
• do Supported Permitted Work and earn up to £97.50 a week for as long as you are receiving Employment and Support Allowance, provided you continue to satisfy the Supported Permitted Work criteria"

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/Illorinjured/DG_171909

epitome

Cpt.Scarlet wrote: »

Sorry - I missed the student bit, however it doesn't change the point that if the OP is actively seeking work then they shouldn't be claiming ESA.

ESA is supposed to help people who have a limited capacity for work, to find work.

PippaGirl_2

Many people do not realise that ESA is able to be claimed by disabled full time students, that point is well evidenced in this thread. But as someone has already said above, you can place a claim for ESA but your loans/grants will be taken into account when assessing you. Therefore most disabled full time students who are eligible for ESA do not actually receive it.