ESA question re' means testing

Boots888

seven-day-weekend wrote: »

No, I didn't say we would not have made any changes to our lives if we were going to be affected by any changes to Benefits. I said we would not have moved abroad if we'd have had to RELY on said Benefits. We would certainly have made changes. We might well have relocated to Snowdonia , or sold up and bought a camper van and travelled the length and breadth of the UK and trips abroad. We just would not have gone to live abroad.

Whatsmore, lots of foreigners move to the uk as a lifestyle choice and live off benefits, thats a fact. My choice to move did not revolve around what benefits i could export. It was an important factor in deciding it was possible for me to do so, but periferal to my doing so, if you get my drift.

But now, because of the changes to cont. esa, it has to be central to any decision i make should i have to move back to the UK, If you get my drift.

BigAunty

Boots888 wrote: »

..

Well, thats like saying I wouldn't have risked applying for my last job if I knew I was going to be made redundant.

Life is not like that! (well, it shouldn't be)

Nobody on this thread is saying 'I told you so', recommending that you build or time machine, criticising you for lack of psychic ability or banging on about your need to have the power of hindsight before you even make a decision.

I think our general message is that life is changeable and you seem highly resistant to the fairly routine changes that come with benefit entitlements and the cyclical nature of the property market.

You seem stuck on the same old record, that old chestnut of how you were misled about the perpetual eligibility for a sickness benefit overseas. We know this change in social policy has a great impact on you but it is still going ahead no matter how many times you pop up on here and say it is unfair and not what you were led to believe would happen.

Who promised you that that you were guaranteed IB while overseas for the rest of your life? Yes, you checked your eligibility before your move - do you have it in writing that IB would never be altered?

Boots888

princessdon wrote: »

So why do you feel you need to move back the UK? your benefits would be the same here?

Yes, but with that income, here or there, i feel safe in the knowledge that it will cover some of my outgoings. I have a little capital to see me through a few years and help with a better quality of life in direct regards to my illness.

I won't be forced to come back anyway, I don't want to - it makes me miserable just thinking about packing again, let alone moving back. I'll face that bridge when it comes to it.

I was just expressing my annoyance at the changes - that's all.

Boots888

BigAunty wrote: »

Nobody on this thread is saying 'I told you so', recommending that you build or time machine, criticising you for lack of psychic ability or banging on about your need to have the power of hindsight before you even make a decision.

you (as in one of you) said I got caught out, which suggests a lack of forward thinking on my part which I resent as I did think it through. If I made a mistake I'll own it, I think I might have done anyway regardless of the benefits issue.

I think our general message is that life is changeable and you seem highly resistant to the fairly routine changes that come with benefit entitlements and the cyclical nature of the property market.

You are correct - i don't want any changes and would not have had to cope with any if this change didn't come about.

You seem stuck on the same old record, that old chestnut of how you were misled about the perpetual eligibility for a sickness benefit overseas. We know this change in social policy has a great impact on you but it is still going ahead no matter how many times you pop up on here and say it is unfair and not what you were led to believe would happen.

yes stuck in the same old record but not as much as you it seems - listen to yourself "that old chestnut of how you were misled about the perpetual eligibility for a sickness benefit overseas.

Who promised you that that you were guaranteed IB while overseas for the rest of your life? Yes, you checked your eligibility before your move - do you have it in writing that IB would never be altered?

I have it in writing that it would stay the same, yes.

princessdon

Boots888 wrote: »

Yes, but with that income, here or there, i feel safe in the knowledge that it will cover some of my outgoings. I have a little capital to see me through a few years and help with a better quality of life in direct regards to my illness.

I won't be forced to come back anyway, I don't want to - it makes me miserable just thinking about packing again, let alone moving back. I'll face that bridge when it comes to it.

I was just expressing my annoyance at the changes - that's all.

Oh I see - I wondered if they were stopping it overthere but allowing it in the UK etc as you talked about being forced to return to the UK.

BigAunty

Boots888 wrote: »

I have it in writing that it would stay the same, yes.

Would love to see the scanned section of that letter and also the missing paragraph where it says 'and IB will never be replaced by a different benefit during your natural life' and go the way of the family allowance, invalidity benefit, EMA and so on.

Boots888

princessdon wrote: »

Oh I see - I wondered if they were stopping it overthere but allowing it in the UK etc as you talked about being forced to return to the UK.

they are stopping it for those abroad after 12 months and if not placed in some kind of work or training programme.

I'll wait in anticipation, see how the cookie crumbles. It's just going to be a lot harder for me than just moving back in up the road.

Boots888

BigAunty wrote: »

Would love to see the scanned section of that letter and also the missing paragraph where it says 'and IB will never be replaced by a different benefit during your natural life' and go the way of the family allowance, invalidity benefit, EMA and so on.

I've an email from Pam at the Pension Service dating back to 2007 but I'll not post it.

As for your missing paragraph bit, well when I got ill, I never thought that far ahead so I can't really comment apart from I continue to note people in my situation seem to really, really annoy "normal" folk.

The meak shall inherit the earth!!!

enabledebra

von wrote: »

A maximum 1 year of non means tested (AKA contribution based ) ESA is only available if the OP has paid the relevant NI Contributions in the relevant 2009/10 and 10/11 tax years.

Usually, but not in this case as it's a migration from Incapacity Benefit.

seven-day-weekend

Boots888 wrote: »

I have it in writing that it would stay the same, yes.

But surely that does not mean for ever more? Not even the DWP can say that, they don't know if/when there will be new legislation, or, if indeed, your condition will improve. I assume the letter means (and should say), that if nothing changes then you would still be entitled to it. They can't predict that nothing will change.