Benefits worry :(

beckylewis1983

Hi

I am looking for a bit of advice as I'm worrying myself silly at the minute .

I have recently been laid off work due to depression and severe anxiety. I have applied for ESA however I have had a letter back saying I can not claim as I have not paid enough national insurance contributions for the year 2013-2014. So no money coming in from there. I have also applied for housing benefit, which I am waiting to hear back from but I have a feeling this will not be a lot if we do qualify.

My partner works full-time and earns £20,500 a year before tax. Our tax credits are now £40 a week due to me losing my job. So this is all we are receiving apart from child benefit for our 2 children.

I have done calculators to see what else we could receive however they just tell me the same, ESA contribution based, which obviously I cannot get. I am worrying myself so much its making my illness worse. I don't know what else to do now?

Could anyone help please? I was previously earning around £800 a month so we have lost so much.

Any help would be much appreciated.

Thank you in advance!

BlueEyedGirl

I am not an expert, but from my understanding you would not qualify for Income Related ESA because of your partners income - he is technically expected to support you whilst you are sick.

http://www.disabilityrightsuk.org/employment-and-support-allowance-overview

Depending on how unwell you are and what you can and cannot do because of your illness, you could apply for PIP (Personal Independent Payment) formally DLA as that is not means tested.

http://www.disabilityrightsuk.org/personal-independence-payment-pip

beckylewis1983

Thank you for your reply.

I have looked at the PIP but was unsure as to whether I could receive it as I thought it was more for people with physical disabilities rather than mental? I am really starting to consider jobseekers right now, even though I know having to search for jobs and go out on my own will only make me worse. Just at a loss.

Londonsu

You may not get contribution based JSA if the NIC payment year is the same as that of ESA, and household income may also preclude you from income based JSA, however you will need to sign on for NIC credits for future pension entitlement, and you will have to job search if you sign on

missbiggles1

BlueEyedGirl wrote: »

I am not an expert, but from my understanding you would not qualify for Income Related ESA because of your partners income - he is technically expected to support you whilst you are sick.

http://www.disabilityrightsuk.org/employment-and-support-allowance-overview

Depending on how unwell you are and what you can and cannot do because of your illness, you could apply for PIP (Personal Independent Payment) formally DLA as that is not means tested.

http://www.disabilityrightsuk.org/personal-independence-payment-pip

Not just technically but actually.

rogerblack

beckylewis1983 wrote: »

T
I have looked at the PIP but was unsure as to whether I could receive it as I thought it was more for people with physical disabilities rather than mental? .

This is very much not the case.

Are you in contact with your doctor?
Do they understand the problems you're having?

BlueEyedGirl

beckylewis1983 wrote: »

Thank you for your reply.

I have looked at the PIP but was unsure as to whether I could receive it as I thought it was more for people with physical disabilities rather than mental? I am really starting to consider jobseekers right now, even though I know having to search for jobs and go out on my own will only make me worse. Just at a loss.

No, you can claim PIP for Mental Health issues, especially if you are a danger to yourself or need help from others with your care, or to be reminded to do something i.e. take medication etc.

beckylewis1983

Thank you for all your replies.

I am in contact with my doctor and have been seeing a therapist for my illness. I have been doing quite well recently and have been out to the supermarket with my partner (which I could not do a few months ago) however I still cannot go by myself yet. It is a slow process and I do intend to find a job eventually but at the minute that seems very distressing to me.

BlueEyedGirl

beckylewis1983 wrote: »

Thank you for all your replies.

I am in contact with my doctor and have been seeing a therapist for my illness. I have been doing quite well recently and have been out to the supermarket with my partner (which I could not do a few months ago) however I still cannot go by myself yet. It is a slow process and I do intend to find a job eventually but at the minute that seems very distressing to me.

Good luck, it does take time, but recovery is possible.

sangie595

beckylewis1983 wrote: »

I have recently been laid off work due to depression and severe anxiety.

What exactly does this mean? You have been dismissed for suffering depression / anxiety? Or that you are off sick from work for these reasons? It would be exceptionally dangerous for an employer to dismiss for these reasons.

beckylewis1983

I had been off sick from the beginning of February with sick notes from my doctor. My employer terminated my employment after having a meeting to discuss whether to keep my job open or not. They obviously choose not to. I was invited to this meeting however due to my illness I could not attend.