Benefits help, should I swap from ESA to Income Support??

kitty_kitty

I have been on ESA since 2010, been through the system of appealing etc to get here, I had a big fight to get it awarded. I had a baby in November 2013 let the benefits office know and they kept me on ESA, I have just had a phone call from them and they have advised me I can now claim income support that its completely optional but if I choose to remain on ESA then I will have to go into jobcentre every month to do work related activity even though I won't be going back to work at all as my illness is ongoing.
I would love to be not hassled and just to go on income support but it means a loss of £60 a fortnight, it seems really unfair that my choice is £140 a fortnight on income support but left alone for 4 years or £200 a fortnight and be hassled with monthly meetings that are mandatory. Is there anything I can do about this? Also if I did go to income support would I have to fight again for ESA or would i just be able to go back to claiming? Cant see that happening really? Any advice would be appreciated, thanks!

rogerblack

Several issues.
Firstly - as the law now is, you can claim IS till the child is 5.
There is no guarantee this won't drop in the future.
In 2018, it is very likely that a new claim for ESA would trigger migration to UC - ESA will be a thing of the past for new claims by then.
(it's possibe that the majority of the caseload will have been migrated over then - but...)

Have you considered claiming PIP?
This may add premiums on top of IS and the basic PIP ward, if there is a sucessful claim.
And no, you would not automatically go back on ESA (UC) with no new tests.
The rules have somewhat changed in 2011, and they may be better or worse for you now.

WFIs should be 'reasonable'.
If they are not helping you in any reasonable way get to be more likely to work, you can ask for them to be reconsidered.
However, there is no procedure to take this further if this is refused.
All you can do is not go, then appeal the sanction that will result.

kitty_kitty

Thanks for your reply, I was just checking PIP and seems im eligable but the enhanced weekly rate is £81.30 and that is less than I get now, is this PIP aswell as my esa or instead of? Sorry am confused a little but yes your reply is very good thank you for taking the time, I really appreciate it.

Indie_Kid

It's PIP plus ESA. Or PIP plus IS if you choose to claim that instead.

kitty_kitty

thanks for such a quick reply, I will get on to it tomorrow. Cheers.

TELLIT01

Don't expect a PIP award to be decided quickly. A wait of 9 months or more is not uncommon.

kitty_kitty

ok thanks for that info, im relieved there is something else I can try

whattodo02

Please let us know how you get on as i am currently in a similar situation deciding whether to change from ESA to IS to stop the hassle of ESA

kitty_kitty

I will but i think im not prepared to lose the money plus reapplying for esa and going through all the appeal and being on reduced amount while it all goes through, no way. So I will be calling today to set up claim for pip and i will just go to jobcentre but will ask them to reduce my attendance requirement if possible especially having a 9 month old, makes it very hard

KxMx

Recent changes mean WRAG requirements are much more tough. I know monthly attendance is the minimum my advisor will accept. In addition to any other appointments to fulfil mandatory work activity. One month I had 3 appointments at the Job Center for example. One my WFI and two my work activity.

dave030445

Is it still only 6 WFI you have to attend. It was when i had to do it but that was 3 years ago. Alot changes in the benefits world in 3 years.