ESA Help/Advice Please

shoe*diva79

My father was a self employed foster carer but gave up abut 6 weeks ago and started job hunting. 4 weeks ago he fell sick and ended up in hospital for a week. He was eventually diagnosed with Hepatitis E. He is insulin dependent diabetic as well.

His prognosis is that he has to ride the Hep E attack out. Currently he has a doctors letter signing him off for 2 weeks but its anticipated that this will be extended as he is still poorly (totally yellow, throwing up anything he eats, sleeps all the time) - its really wiped him out.

Anyway, I wondered if he would be able to claim ESA? My mother works full time. His 'stamp' is up to date as he has a DD to ensure he dosent miss any. If mum is working full time would this affect any claim he may be able to have?

I have no idea about ESA so if I have missed any info you would need to answer then please dont hesitate to ask.

Thanks

[Deleted User]

possibly,get a sick note (or fit notes as they are now called)and submit it

as an aside friends of ours are applying to be foster carers and they have been told never to regard it as an income scource

shoe*diva79

woodbine wrote: »

possibly,get a sick note (or fit notes as they are now called)and submit it

as an aside friends of ours are applying to be foster carers and they have been told never to regard it as an income scource

He has been fostering for over 10 years but age and health declining hence deciding to stop now.

He has a fit note saying he isnt fit for work but is it worth calling to apply even though my mum works? Do they take her income into acc or is it not means tested?

HB58

If your father is entitled to contributory ESa, by dint of the NI contributions he has made in the past 2 whole tax years, then it is not income related.

If he is not entitled to the contributory benefit then he can be assessed for income-related. This will take into account your mother's wages and he will not be elibible if she works for more than 24 hours per week, whatever her wage.

shoe*diva79

Thank you. He has always kept his NI Conts up to date on the advice of his accountant so hopefully he will get contributory until he is well enough to job seek.

HB58

As long as he has paid the correct class of self-employed NI contributions it sounds as if he will qualify for contributory ESA.