We’d like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum.

This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are – or become – political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.

📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!
The Forum now has a brand new text editor, adding a bunch of handy features to use when creating posts. Read more in our how-to guide

Can you just say no to ESA?

2»

Comments

  • Torry_Quine
    Torry_Quine Posts: 18,895 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    Lucky94 wrote: »
    Ok thanks.

    So can he just tell them that he doesn't want to make an application for ESA, it states in the letter that they will contact by telephone to discuss it. Will this not impact on our other benefits?

    Yes he can say that he doesn't want to make an application for ESA but make sure that he has at least 30 years of NI contributions for his state pension.

    As he gets no income from it just now I wouldn't think it would effect other benefits.
    Lost my soulmate so life is empty.

    I can bear pain myself, he said softly, but I couldna bear yours. That would take more strength than I have -
    Diana Gabaldon, Outlander
  • rogerblack
    rogerblack Posts: 9,446 Forumite
    edited 30 November 2012 at 11:07PM
    Lucky94 wrote: »
    He was on IB some years ago but got a low score a the assesement therefore his IB was stopped he was single at the time so no household income to consider (back then). We now claim as a couple but he was already getting his stamp paid back then and has continued to do so.

    Why was he getting his stamp paid?

    You can get your stamp paid for various reasons.
    Taking care of children, being on JSA, IS/IB/carers allowance, ...
    If he's been found fit for IB, then his stamps will not be paid due to that, unless there has been an error. Phoning them and getting the claim closed properly may be wiser - otherwise the ending of one benefit may affect others improperly.

    If his stamps aren't getting paid due to recieving IB/IS, then yes, you can simply ignore the letter.

    I'm unsure of what happens if he's been paid stamps in error.
  • Glen_Clark
    Glen_Clark Posts: 4,397 Forumite
    rogerblack wrote: »
    If his stamps aren't getting paid due to recieving IB.....
    I thought if he is receiving Incapacity Benefit, they will also be paying his stamp?
    “It is difficult to get a man to understand something, when his salary depends on his not understanding it.” --Upton Sinclair
  • Torry_Quine
    Torry_Quine Posts: 18,895 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    Glen_Clark wrote: »
    I thought if he is receiving Incapacity Benefit, they will also be paying his stamp?

    He isn't receiving IB though.
    Lost my soulmate so life is empty.

    I can bear pain myself, he said softly, but I couldna bear yours. That would take more strength than I have -
    Diana Gabaldon, Outlander
  • epitome
    epitome Posts: 3,199 Forumite
    That's a good point, if he was not eligible then they would not have been paying his stamps....

    Which makes what I said earlier all the more important....PHONE IB & IS and ask does he have any claim open with them? and if not...ask why is he getting an IB mig letter.

    Phone NI credits and ask if anyone has paid his stamps for the last few years...if 'yes'....WHO has paid them?
  • epitome
    epitome Posts: 3,199 Forumite
    edited 1 December 2012 at 2:13PM
    Ahh, but then again, if he was sick but not entitled to IB (due to contributions) and his partner worked full time he would not be entitled to IS but he presumably could claim IS or IB just for stamps.
This discussion has been closed.
Meet your Ambassadors

🚀 Getting Started

Hi new member!

Our Getting Started Guide will help you get the most out of the Forum

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 354.5K Banking & Borrowing
  • 254.4K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 455.5K Spending & Discounts
  • 247.4K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 604.3K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 178.5K Life & Family
  • 261.8K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16.1K Discuss & Feedback
  • 37.7K Read-Only Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.