ESA Stopped

windshadow

Oooop just realized I posted in wrong forum.:o

Hi,
A short history...
I was on Incapacity Benefits. Had medical in March 2012 and surprise surprise scored 0 points. I appealed and on Dec 19th 2012 I won my appeal, the appeal paperwork you get when they give you the decision said I was to be put in the work related group and advised not to be reassessed for 24mths.

My benefits were reinstated January this year, I have not had any other paperwork from then, including no letters to go for the interviews.

Today 6th April I received a letter dated 3rd April, the letter says..

"Our records sow that you have been getting contribution-based Employment Allowance.

This ended on the 3 April 2013. This is because you have received a total of 365 days contribution-based Employment Support Allowance which the law says is the maximum number of days you can receive this benefit for, unless you are in the support group.

We will pay you income-related Employment and Support Allowance from 4 April 2013 based on how much the law says you need to live on.

You will get £0.00"

Does this mean my money has stopped and won't receive any ESA from 4th April?

I have had no other letters from them until this one so it has come as quiet a surprise and very worrying.
How can they just stop someones money without warning?

I am single and live with my son who is 22, I have no income, assets etc in fact my bank balance is £0.32p.

What do they expect me to live on?


I would have called them but as usual the letter has come on a Saturday, and now I get to worry about it until Monday, which will not help my condition.

Any advise would be greatly appreciated if only to stop me worrying.

zzzLazyDaisy

IB is a contribution based benefit. For some reason it seems that at the date you were transferred over to ESA you were not also assessed for income related ESA. As a result, they have you on their records as IB ESA only. So as soon as the phone lines are open on Monday you need to contact the number on the letter and explain that you have no income or savings and that you wish to continue on income related ESA.

I don't know what difference, if any, having an adult non-dependent in the house makes to your claim, but hopefully someone more knowledgeable than me will be along shortly.

Dx

pxxuk

I have been where you have been and its an awful system to go through... I went through 3 appeals myself in just over a year and a half!!

From what I understand, if you are in the Work Related Activity Group, this is only payable for 365 days as a maximum. If you were put into the Support Group, this is ongoing... If you have received the benefit for a year already it will stop as far as I'm aware. Sorry it's not what you want to hear. Give them a ring on Monday and find out what your options are. Good luck.

steve1980

Is your son working?