Can I be forced from Income Support (on the basis of being a lone parent) onto ESA?

AmyFowler

I currently receive income support as a lone parent as well as disability premiums due to qualifying for PIP. I wasn't well enough to attend my last IS keep in touch type meeting and the advisor deferred it for six months but also mentioned that perhaps we should look into transferring me to ESA if my disability affects my ability to attend these keep in touch type meetings.

I was wondering if anyone knew whether this was a decision I would be allowed to refuse or whether it is a simple cost cutting exercise (given that the ESA amount would be a lot lower than the current amount I receive with IS and disability premiums) that I have no say in.

I'd just like to know so I can prepare myself for the stress of the process without it being sprung on me!

allen35

If you qualify for IS as a single parent this will stop once your youngest reaches 5. Then you will either have to claim JSA or ESA if your disability means you are unable to work.

If you are on IS due to disability you will eventually be transferred to ESA

AmyFowler

Thanks for your reply. I'm currently on Income Support as a lone parent (with a child under three). I've googled and googled and don't think I'm using the right search terms because I can find nothing about transferring over to a different type of benefit without the two reasons you mentioned.

allen35

I think maybe the adviser was looking at your circumstances and thinking you may be better claiming a sickness benefit such as ESA.

Lone parent advisers main role is to get you work ready for when your child reaches 5.

If you think you will be unable to work ESA may be the right way to go.

You are right about an income drop when you first apply for ESA, you will be placed into the assessment phase and you won't be entitled to the disability premium but would still qualify for an SDP if applicable.

Once you have been placed into a group (work related or support) your ESA income would then increase.

ESA alone can be £123.70 pw if placed into the support group without Severe Disability Premium being added if on Middle Rate care or above of DLA or any rate of care in PIP.

AmyFowler

Thank you for explaining it to me! I appreciate it because that's made it a lot clearer for me. I wasn't aware about the premiums still applying with ESA due to PIP so it might be less of a worry than I originally thought, thanks!

rogerblack

AmyFowler wrote: »

Thank you for explaining it to me! I appreciate it because that's made it a lot clearer for me. I wasn't aware about the premiums still applying with ESA due to PIP so it might be less of a worry than I originally thought, thanks!

Unless you are in the support group of ESA, you may still required to attend periodic meetings.
The work-related group potentially has much more stringent requirements, and problems if you fail to get to a meeting, or if the person you're seeing doesn't understand your condition and required you to go on a course or something.

epitome

I would say no, you can't be forced off Income Support.
Tell the advisor you would be on less money on ESA, and as you are not required to look for work whilst on IS, what is the problem? If your disability stops you going, then they should come to you or do it by telephone.

How much do you get paid on Income Support per week?

What DLAcare/PIPdl award level do you get?

Do you live alone apart from your dependant children?

Does anyone get CA to care for you?

You are unlikely to get into the Support Group on ESA, much more likely to get Work Related Group or you could fail and not get any ESA. But all this would only be after an assessment which could take 14 months from the start of your claim to be assessed.

TELLIT01

It's possible that you would eventually be better off on ESA but, as epitome has said, there is absolutely no certainty that you would be put into the Support Group or even that you would remain on ESA at all after the initial assessment phase.
If I was in your situation I would stay on Income Support until your child reaches 5.

KxMx

Being in the WRAG for ESA can mean attendance as often as every 2 weeks, on top of mandatory work related activity directed by your advisor. who can have little understanding or consideration of your problems.

I would stay on IS no question,even if ESA was more money!