Apologies, but yet another ESA thread.

metalika

Just a word of advice.Don't forget to let the Tax office know, especially if you are receiving any other sort of benefit reason being, they look at ESA as your earnings so you need to declare it yourself as the ESA office won't do it for you, consequently you could end up having to pay back tax on your total income even if it is only benefits. You also are required to inform them of any changes to your ESA.

poppy12345

metalika wrote: »

Just a word of advice.Don't forget to let the Tax office know, especially if you are receiving any other sort of benefit reason being, they look at ESA as your earnings so you need to declare it yourself as the ESA office won't do it for you, consequently you could end up having to pay back tax on your total income even if it is only benefits. You also are required to inform them of any changes to your ESA.

Income based ESA is NOT a taxable benefit. However contribution based ESA IS a taxable benefit.

DLA and PIP are also tax free benefits.

melbury

Mrs_Ryan wrote: »

I'm in the support group and I only get £113 a week? Is the £123 the income related amount as I'm on Conts based x

I was wondering about that as well. Out of interest, why aren't they the same?

Natty68

metalika wrote: »

Just a word of advice.Don't forget to let the Tax office know, especially if you are receiving any other sort of benefit reason being, they look at ESA as your earnings so you need to declare it yourself as the ESA office won't do it for you, consequently you could end up having to pay back tax on your total income even if it is only benefits. You also are required to inform them of any changes to your ESA.

I would have thought you wouldn't need to notify the tax office at all as you don't even get anywhere near the tax allowance with this benefit.

Mrs_Ryan

melbury wrote: »

I was wondering about that as well. Out of interest, why aren't they the same?

Part of me wonders if they think because we've worked we have money already :mad: it makes me mad that they assume we can afford to pay for prescriptions/dentist/opticians as well! If I didn't have free prescriptions (Cancer exemption) I wouldn't bother getting my prescriptions as I couldn't afford them. If I was on income based I could get a wig (I have alopecia) I could get my dental treatment paid for (I haven't been to the dentist in years) I could get help with my glasses (my mum paid for my last ones. £100- I certainly couldnt afford that!) I could get help with my fares to hospital.. (6.20 a pop)
But because I'm on conts based all I get is tough. I think it should be the same for both conts and income based! (And yes, my partner is working. And given he can't afford his own glasses or dental treatment he certainly can't pay for mine!!)

nannytone_2

you can get all these things if you have a low household income and fill in a HC! form.

i know you are seeing the negatives of conys based benefit, but in many cases, they are a godsend.
people that based on income, would get nothing at all get 6 months on JSA and 12 months ESA (WRAG) or indefinate ESA ( support group)

Mrs_Ryan

We aren't classed as being on low income sadly. partner earns 21K p.a plus LRC and LRM DLA. however out of that he has to pay all the bills and run his car. If I have a hospital appointment I routinely have to borrow the busfare- I have a form for a disabled persons bus pass but my doctor wants £20 to sign the form! It's all money. i would love to work but I cant. I think that at least for those on. Indefinite conts ESA we should get some concessions.

nannytone_2

im a bit confused. what do you mean by 'indefinate conts ESA'?
there are no indefinate ESA awards.
do you receive DLA/PIP for yourself?

Mrs_Ryan

Sorry I meant I'm on conts based ESA for as long as I'm on ESA (current award until May 2016)
I've been refused PIP once as allegedly there was nothing wrong with me but ive reapplied as my condition has changed significantly (got worse) and I have a new diagnosis and I am finally under a consultant psychiatrist. They wouldn't take me seriously last time as I was only under my GP who made a general diagnosis of depression (and they actually said depression doesn't affect your daily life!) but my psychiatrist has made a more specific detailed diagnosis which goes a lot further.

poppy12345

Mrs_Ryan wrote: »

Sorry I meant I'm on conts based ESA for as long as I'm on ESA (current award until May 2016)
I've been refused PIP once as allegedly there was nothing wrong with me but ive reapplied as my condition has changed significantly (got worse) and I have a new diagnosis and I am finally under a consultant psychiatrist. They wouldn't take me seriously last time as I was only under my GP who made a general diagnosis of depression (and they actually said depression doesn't affect your daily life!) but my psychiatrist has made a more specific detailed diagnosis which goes a lot further.

Good luck, but remember it's not about the condition/diagnosis, it's about how the condition affects you in daily life.