Benefits worry :(

ab1982

No advice from me just wishing you luck.

sammyjammy

sangie595 wrote: »

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.

Why would it? I've seen nothing in the OPs posts to suggest any reason why not. If OP has taken a lot of sick leave due to her mental illness and the employer can no longer support this as long as they have taken appropriate action they can dismiss, if she worked there under two years they can dismiss without reason. The fact the OP doesn't have enough contributions for CB ESA it seems likely she was there for less than two years.

beckylewis1983

I was there for exactly 2 years on 3 July but my employment was terminated on the 10th. I was working before this job also, part time. So I am unsure as to way my contributions were not enough.

rogerblack

beckylewis1983 wrote: »

I was there for exactly 2 years on 3 July but my employment was terminated on the 10th. I was working before this job also, part time. So I am unsure as to way my contributions were not enough.

For a claim made after January, the relevant years are 12/13 and 13/14.
Any work done after April 2014 is quite irrelevant.
There are limits on wage - you also need to have been earning over a certain limit.

beckylewis1983

Seems things are going from bad to worse!

My daughter has now decided to move in with her dad which means all benefits we received for her will now stop (child tax credit and child benefit) and our housing benefit will go down. We will be losing around £60 a week in total and I don't know what to do. I'm such a mess again right now and its making me really ill worrying all the time. I am seriously thinking of going onto JSA but if I couldn't get ESA on contribution based I doubt I will get anything from them either.
I have filled in an assessment form that the ESA sent me but unsure what will happen next?
And now my partner is telling me that only I can sort all this out (which to say to someone with anxiety and depression is not good as now I feel its all my fault and I'm a burden on my family) and I don't even know where to start.

Feel so stupid right now

ineed

Sorry for everything you're going through right now, it must be so hard to deal with everything . Have you thought anymore about PIP? If you need help on a daily bases with your illness as said above you may be able to claim.

tomtontom

Given the dates involved you won't qualify for JSA.

As above, you may be doughnut for PIP.

Is part time work a possibility, something to ease you back into it?

If you can't increase your income then you need to reduce your outgoings. Post on the Debtfree Wannabe board for help with budgeting.

pmlindyloo

beckylewis1983 wrote: »

Seems things are going from bad to worse!

My daughter has now decided to move in with her dad which means all benefits we received for her will now stop (child tax credit and child benefit) and our housing benefit will go down. We will be losing around £60 a week in total and I don't know what to do. I'm such a mess again right now and its making me really ill worrying all the time. I am seriously thinking of going onto JSA but if I couldn't get ESA on contribution based I doubt I will get anything from them either.
I have filled in an assessment form that the ESA sent me but unsure what will happen next?
And now my partner is telling me that only I can sort all this out (which to say to someone with anxiety and depression is not good as now I feel its all my fault and I'm a burden on my family) and I don't even know where to start.

Feel so stupid right now

First of all you need to try and stop panicking. You are ill. It is not your fault. If it was your partner that was ill you would be supporting him. Unfortunately some people find mental illness extremely difficult to cope with and it does sound as if your partner is less than understanding. Is it possible for your doctor to have a word with him?

Next I think you are going to have to accept that you are unlikely to get contribution based JSA. This is probably a good thing in one sense because you do not seem ready to look for work and attend the job centre.

You need to explain to your partner that you cannot claim income based JSA or ESA because the government expect your partner to support you whether you are married or not. Living together as man and wife is treated as being married when claiming means tested benefits.

Since you previously said you had two children I am presuming the one that has left had her own bedroom and now you will be only eligible for the two bed rate?

You do need to inform the council that your daughter has moved out if you haven't already done so.

Next you need to apply for PIP. You are seeing a therapist and have your doctor's support which is good. Google PIP and ring and apply.

Your partner's wage should be enough to live on. If your rent is extremely high and you are in a fixed contract and cannot leave then you could try applying for a Discretionary Housing Payment. You would have to supply a income and expenditure form to show where your money is going.

And speaking of income and expenditure this is where you can make a difference. Go over to the Debtfree Wannabe forum and put up your statement of affairs (someone will tell you how to do this)

Folk over there are very good at reducing expenditure and will give you lots of ideas. There are also forums about feeding a family on a reduced budget. Have a thorough read and start putting things into order. This can be your way of 'playing your part' in your relationship. Become a real money saver until you feel fit enough to work.

If you do not feel up to doing this yourself ask a friend to help you. Have you someone you can confide in who could guide you through it?

The Discretionary Housing Payment is a bit of a long shot so don't get your hopes up.

Reducing your expenditure is your only route.

Indie_Kid

pmlindyloo wrote: »

There are also forums about feeding a family on a reduced budget. Have a thorough read and start putting things into order. This can be your way of 'playing your part' in your relationship. Become a real money saver until you feel fit enough to work.

The OP may also want to have a look at the old style board too.

HB58

If you wish to claim PIP you need to be aware that you have to have had the problem for at least the past 3 months and it must be expected to continue for at least another 9 months. Speak to your Dr if you are unsure about this.