Help please, zero income

999frogs

Hi all,
I'm trying to work out what to do here, getting nowhere fast and would appreciate any advice.

My brother who is in his 50's has until around 3 months ago been receiving Incapacity Benefit & (I think) Disability Living Allowance. I found out today he was turned down for the Employment Support Allowance, which I believe replaces the two other benefits mentioned. In my opinion and his GPs, he is totally unfit for work - he has severe epilepsy and blackouts so cannot travel independently, alomg with a number of other chronic conditions

So for 3 months he has had ZERO income. He is lucky enough to own his house so no rent which is one thing. He has no savings and has been borrowing money to pay bills.

I have spoken to JobCentre plus 3 times today, and received 3 different answers re ESA:
a) write to the benefit centre asking them to reconsider
b) don't bother writing this will be a new claim
c) cant speak to you as you're not your brother

I also understand that he has never been advised about National Insurance credits, so this is another issue.

I've also spoken to the council regarding council tax discount/benefit, but they can't talk to me until they get a consent form (they've now put this in the post)

Any help or advice would be so gratefully received !

nannytone_2

DLA IS TOTALLY UNRELATED TO esa AND SO HE SHOULD STILL BE RECEIVING THIS.
IF HE FAILED THE MEDICAL TO TRANSFER TO esa FROM IB HE SHOULD HAVE ASKED FOR A MANDATORY RECONSIDERATION WITH ONE MONTH.
HE MAY STILL BE ABLE TO APPEAL THAT DECISION OR CAN MAKE A NEW CLAIM FOR esa.
both option 9c0 and the council are correct. they should not be discussing your brothers slaims without written consent of power of attourney.
excuse the caps