Benefit help for my mum

mamasmith

Hi, can anyone give me some advice. My father died last year after battling cancer for five years. My mum was his carer. He claimed DLA, which stopped when he died. My mum was advised to claim bereavement allowance which lasted a year. This has recently run out & my mum thought she would be able to claim pension credits as shes 61, but she can't claim until next may.

In the mean time she has been advised to claim JSA, shes recently signed on, but the whole process is causing her alot of stress. Shes become very with drawn and panicky. Her JSA advisor has been quite 'stern' with her which has stressed her out. Shes still trying to come to terms with the death of my dad and being on her own. She wasn't in good health before all this and I don't think shes fit to work. She was advised by CAB to sign on as they said she'd only get ESA for 3 months then she'd have to appeal and be left with no money in the mean time.

Can anyone advise? I don't know how to help her & I hate seeing her so scared and lonely. Thank you

princessdon

What is her disability or ill health?

Why do you think she isn't capable of work?

Unless you can answer that we can't really help.


I am unsure of why you said 3 months etc - that is why we need to know as it is based on a series of descriptions that don't tell the full story.

mamasmith

She has depression and is on the waiting list for counselling. She also suffers from panic attacks and has trouble walking due to arthritis. The depression and panick attacks are getting worse since shes had to sign on.

The CAB told her they pay everyone for 3 months then they review and usually dismiss the claim and it has to go to appeal

princessdon

Ok

ESA (as opposed to JSA) is the sickness related benefit. She needs to fit their descriptors. Saying she is depressed isn't going to get the benefit.

Best thing you can do is download the descriptors (I am on a phone so can't link - but if you google or someone can paste a link).

Sit down with your mum and have an honest conversation as to why she fits them (in case she is in denial etc).

Once you have those reasons why she fits them then claim. If she doesn't fit them then she will realistically have to stay on JSA.

So really take a good look at the descriptors and also if she isn't already visiting her GP she needs to now visit them and gain their support.

mamasmith

Thank you, i'll see what I can find

Torry_Quine

To get ESA she would need to send in fit-notes (MEDICAL CERTIFICATES) from her GP. After 13 weeks approx then an ESA 50 form is completed to assess her and she may well have to go to a work focused interview to determine if she is eligible to continue on it.

princessdon

It would be best for all if she had an idea of what she is facing before she visits her GP for a sick note. (but google for more or click links of better sites)

This is one link to give you an idea of what she faces

http://www.tameside.gov.uk/esa/wca

Look through them, chat with mum then visit her GP for a discussion if they will give a JSA sicknote/fitnote

It's best to know what you are dealing with (Hence why CAB said 3 months only) for long term.

Good luck and sorry to hear of her loss, I can imagine her world is upside down right now.

mamasmith

Thank you both, I just had a quick look at the link and it's all abit confusing.

I think i'll take your advice and print it out and have a good read through when I'm abit more awake. Thanks for taking the time to reply!

princessdon

mamasmith wrote: »

Thank you both, I just had a quick look at the link and it's all abit confusing.

I think i'll take your advice and print it out and have a good read through when I'm abit more awake. Thanks for taking the time to reply!

Digest the information - chat with mum and come back with any questions. I don't know much about them but there is always others who do know that can help. If you have any questions relating to them start a new thread (if this one has dropped off the page) with ESA Descriptor Help - that way those posters who specialise in them will pick them up and reply.