Back on the ESA merry-go-round

DepressedInsomniac

It's not even a year since my last assessment but the dreaded forms have landed on the door mat again today |:(

Last time I was in a pretty bad way and the stress of it all sent me spiralling into crisis (I suffer severe mental health illness). I'm feeling more stable now thanks to new meds and planning to start a degree course next month but despite having gone to great lengths to set up a support network at university, including mentor and special travel arrangements, I'm panicking that if I'm seen capable of attending university (albeit just 2 days a week) then they might say I'm fit for work and take me off ESA

Without ESA I cannot even afford to go to university as I won't be entitled to the help I get from DSA or HB payments to cover my rent. As I told the WFI lady at my last interview I do want to return to work eventually, if I'm able, hence why I'm hoping to study for a degree in the mean time but it's not something I could cope with any time soon. I don't know what to do now

PippaGirl_2

Do you get DLA? I think you need to have been awarded DLA to be eligible for ESA while at Uni.

I think ESA is means tested for students at university and they take your student finance into account so many people who are eligible for ESA (because they receive DLA) do not actually receive anything.

Well done on getting to Uni, I am sure you will love it.

DepressedInsomniac

Sorry, yes, should have said I also get DLA (MRC, LRM) which might also be stopped if I lose ESA if it's right what I've been reading about them using medicals to assess DLA.

The ESA is means tested and almost all of it will be replaced with student loan/grant (so I'm effectively saving the taxpayer £1000s as I'll have to pay it all back eventually) but underlying entitlement means I can continue to claim HB as I won't be able to work, unlike other students.

Going to uni is all still theoretical at the moment as I've yet to actually start. Planning it all is one thing, actually turning up and doing it is quite another

The added stress now of going through another assessment really isn't helping matters and I'm beginning to wonder whether it's just all been a fantasy which I'll never fulfil. How can I convince them I'm too ill to work but not too ill to study, assuming I'll be able to of course but I might not even get the opportunity to try now

Tehya

Hi, my son took a year long course in college (access course) last year whilst he was claiming ESA. He was placed in the Support Group after his medical. The DWP gave him permission to undertake the course and told him it had nothing to do with being unable to work, he too has mental health issues. He's in university full time now so no longer on ESA but he does get some extra help with DSA plus normal grants, his DLA is still being paid as before.

My hubby is also in the Support Group (I'm his full time carer) and we make sure he gets to do some activities like leisure classes but none of them affect his benefits.

Good luck with your studies.

DepressedInsomniac

Did your son start his college course after he claimed ESA? I'm in the Work Group so already undergoing work focussed interviews which will possibly interfere with my studies. I wasn't expecting to be re-assessed for 18mths which is what my last letter said so this has come as a bit of a shock and before I've even had a chance to find out whether going to university will even work for me.

Your son is lucky to have you to support him. I really wish I could cancel my claim for ESA and just live off my student loan and grant to save all this stress but then I'd end up homeless as I wouldn't be able to cover the rent, or support myself from June to September each year

I can't help thinking it's the woman from the WFI's that has possibly triggered this assessment as she was struggling to understand how I could study with my health problems. She seemed very negative about it yet thought it was reasonable to undergo whatever courses they want me to do. Could she have asked them to re-assess me sooner than planned?

Dunroamin

DepressedInsomniac wrote: »

Your son is lucky to have you to support him. I really wish I could cancel my claim for ESA and just live off my student loan and grant to save all this stress but then I'd end up homeless as I wouldn't be able to cover the rent, or support myself from June to September each year

?

Assuming that you're not assessed on your parents' income there's no reason why you shouldn't be able to live off your student finance, which is designed to cover 52 weeks of the year.

If you're on means tested ESA, you'll lose that anyway when you start to receive your student funding but there's no reason why this should affect DLA. Many people work full time and claim this benefit.

DepressedInsomniac

Dunroamin wrote: »

Assuming that you're not assessed on your parents' income there's no reason why you shouldn't be able to live off your student finance, which is designed to cover 52 weeks of the year.

If you're on means tested ESA, you'll lose that anyway when you start to receive your student funding but there's no reason why this should affect DLA. Many people work full time and claim this benefit.

My ESA is reduced by student grant/loans for the period Sept 1st to May 31st. I still receive approx £20 a week as an applicable amount. If I were to completely lose ESA then I would only have £150 per week to live on and £120 of that would have to go on rent. I can't feed myself, travel to uni and pay all my household bills on just £30 a week, it's impossible

Dunroamin

DepressedInsomniac wrote: »

My ESA is reduced by student grant/loans for the period Sept 1st to May 31st. I still receive approx £20 a week as an applicable amount. If I were to completely lose ESA then I would only have £150 per week to live on and £120 of that would have to go on rent. I can't feed myself, travel to uni and pay all my household bills on just £30 a week, it's impossible

Then you need to move to somewhere cheaper - £120 per week rent when on a low income isn't feasible. As you receive £70 pw DLA, why do you only receive £80 pw from student finance?

princessdon

Objectively you do have to question how someone can be unfit for work yet go to Uni (with stresses and exams and targets etc).

I work in FE so do actually understand the difference, but to to many it is a hard concept to grasp, how someone can put themselves under immense pressure of Uni as opposed to a few hours none pressurised work.

It's never black and white but there will be people who will question this - I would like this think that ATOS have more knowledge to understand though

PippaGirl_2

Mental Illness is often nothing to do with stress or pressure. Reasonable adaptions can and will be made at Uni to enable people with disabilities to study, including non attendence to lectures and seminars if illness or disability prevents it. Notes/powerpoints can all be found online and virtual lectures and seminars are available. Unis are very good at adapting around a disability, meaning someone can use their good days when they can and still carry on despite the bad days. Totally different with an employer and a job that needs doing. By going to Uni, and achieving despite disability it often brings about greater self-esteem and coping strategies that they didn't previously have meaning greater likelihood and prospects in employment afterwards.

princessdon

I know Pippa - I work in the field - it is in our interests and funding to ensure they stay on programme and give any support we can to acheive this

But to some and looking objectively - you can see why there are questions raised.