Should he make a claim?

From_The_Mad_House

My husband is 49 and has suffered ill health for years. Last June he was called for a health assessment by ATOS and was deemed well enough to be moved to ESA Work related group. He appealed and won his appeal then but was only able to claim benefit for a short time as he had previously been claiming so long so basically as of Oct 2013 his money stopped. I work full time so that takes us above the threshold for income support. My husband's health has deteriorated. He has been diagnosed with pseudo dementia due to depression, is awaiting iodine treat for his thyroid sometime during next month, is also awaiting a varicose veins op, has been referred to a consultant for skin issues (covered in spots, keeps bleeding) and a psychologist as the varicose veins consultant believes my husband has OCD. He is currently taking anti- depressants, thyroid medication (over active), has severe memory problems and up until Sept 2013 had been drinking heavy as a way to self medicate and deal with back pain. He has eczema, psoriasis and osteo arthritis and joint problems hence the pain. He has very poor sleep, often needs help to dress, get in and out of the bath / bed etc and has totally lost his confidence.
Should we attempt to make a claim for ESA or whatever it is called now? My husband is ill, too ill to work but we have to rely on my wage. We have two teenage children in college, they don't receive any EMA as my pay is above the threshold. My husband does get DLA which is a godsend as it means he can have a car of his own to use when I am in work. he only uses it to go to our local supermarket or his aunty's as he hasn't got the confidence to go anywhere else but at least he can get out when he is on his own and I'm at work.

DomRavioli

From_The_Mad_House wrote: »

My husband is 49 and has suffered ill health for years. Last June he was called for a health assessment by ATOS and was deemed well enough to be moved to ESA Work related group. He appealed and won his appeal then but was only able to claim benefit for a short time as he had previously been claiming so long so basically as of Oct 2013 his money stopped. I work full time so that takes us above the threshold for income support. My husband's health has deteriorated. He has been diagnosed with pseudo dementia due to depression, is awaiting iodine treat for his thyroid sometime during next month, is also awaiting a varicose veins op, has been referred to a consultant for skin issues (covered in spots, keeps bleeding) and a psychologist as the varicose veins consultant believes my husband has OCD. He is currently taking anti- depressants, thyroid medication (over active), has severe memory problems and up until Sept 2013 had been drinking heavy as a way to self medicate and deal with back pain. He has eczema, psoriasis and osteo arthritis and joint problems hence the pain. He has very poor sleep, often needs help to dress, get in and out of the bath / bed etc and has totally lost his confidence.

Should we attempt to make a claim for ESA or whatever it is called now? My husband is ill, too ill to work but we have to rely on my wage. We have two teenage children in college, they don't receive any EMA as my pay is above the threshold.

My husband does get DLA which is a godsend as it means he can have a car of his own to use when I am in work. he only uses it to go to our local supermarket or his aunty's as he hasn't got the confidence to go anywhere else but at least he can get out when he is on his own and I'm at work.

If you work full time, it is highly unlikely that he will get ESA as he would need contributions based (based on the last 2 full tax years and their NI contributions). You could put in a claim, and see where it goes, even if he only gets his NI stamp paid for him but doesn't get any money paid in benefit it could be worth it to keep his NI conts up.

If he has had further diagnosis of conditions, or worsening then you MUST tell DLA. Its a condition of the benefit that you must advise them of a change in any condition.

rogerblack

From_The_Mad_House wrote: »

basically as of Oct 2013 his money stopped. I work full time so that takes us above the threshold for income support. My husband's health has deteriorated.

If he has not withdrawn or cancelled his claim for ESA, he is still qualified for ESA, and is getting NI credits towards his pension.
More impotantly in this case - if his condition significantly worsens - so that he is eligible for the support group - payment restarts at the support group rates, and does not terminate on the basis f time.

From_The_Mad_House

rogerblack that is most helpful. I will try to follow this up. He has a GP appt next week too so will also see what he says.

Thank you