ESA Stopped, help please?

mejjo203

Hi there,


I'm looking for some advice on my current situation, I received a horrible letter from the DWP stating my ESA is stopped as im not entitled to it based on gaining 0 points after my medical with ATOS.


I dreaded this would happen and have no idea what to do, I followed the steps in the letter and appealed for a mandatory reconsideration but im not sure what to do in the meantime with no money


Our housing benefit has been stopped as the DWP have notified the council that ESA has stopped.


The advisor on the phone from DWP suggested I claim JSA so that I have some money, I explained I wouldn't meet the conditions for it as I am unable to accept and take work if offered. They said this is the only way to have money at the moment as ESA wont be paid. I don't know what to do, I cant survive with having nothing coming in, do I claim JSA while this appeal is going through? Will this be a mistake? I cant see them awarding JSA when I im unable to meet the requirements.


From my understanding during the mandatory reconsideration I wont receive any payments, but will do if I appeal further to tribunal. So would this mean that for how ever many weeks it takes to start that process ill be without any money?


Hope someone here would be able to share some advice with me as the DWP just seem to say claim JSA... Which I don't qualify for so im just stuck


Thank you.

Morglin

Once you appeal, after the Mandatory reconsideration, you go back onto the assessment rate of ESA until the appeal is heard.

You can apply for a hardship allowance, in the meantime.

Lin

Indie_Kid

Morglin wrote: »

Once you appeal, after the Mandatory reconsideration, you go back onto the assessment rate of ESA until the appeal is heard.

You can apply for a hardship allowance, in the meantime.

Lin

There's no hardship allowance on ESA.

You can submit a housing benefit claim on nil income.

Morglin

Yeah, sorry, my mistake, it's a case of claiming JSA until the MR is completed.

Lin

mejjo203

Morglin wrote: »

Yeah, sorry, my mistake, it's a case of claiming JSA until the MR is completed.

Lin

So I would need to put in a claim for JSA? I don't know how they would award it with me when I couldn't legally sign and agree to the conditions for it.


Let alone managing to make it to the job centre for the appointments.


Do I need to supply medical certificates when being the main phase of appeal is happening?


Thank you for all replys so far.

Indie_Kid

Yes, you do need to supply sick notes whilst waiting for your appeal to be heard.

mejjo203

Indie_Kid wrote: »

Yes, you do need to supply sick notes whilst waiting for your appeal to be heard.

Thank you,


So is it best for me to claim the JSA while waiting the mandatory reconsideration? And then close the claim pending the outcome of that?


Its such a complicated mess the way this whole process is dealt with.

Morglin

Full details here:

http://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/employment-and-support-allowance/esa-appeals/mandatory-reconsiderations

Lin

tomtontom

You mention our housing benefit, do you have a partner and/ or children?

mejjo203

tomtontom wrote: »

You mention our housing benefit, do you have a partner and/ or children?

I do yes, my wife and our 2 year old son.


I read through the links provided and it states I could claim other benefits, but other than JSA I don't think there is anything else.

tomtontom

mejjo203 wrote: »

I do yes, my wife and our 2 year old son.


I read through the links provided and it states I could claim other benefits, but other than JSA I don't think there is anything else.

Can your wife not look for work, if she does not already?