ESA - does this sound right?

TrainGeek1808

Firstly - all my circumstances are at https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5223481

My IS finished 2/9/15 and I got a letter saying I'm on ESA from 3/9/15 following my phonecall to them.

I'm getting:

114.85 Living expenses for you and your partner
123.70 Extra money because you and your partner are severely disabled
22.60 Extra money because of the Disability Income Guarantee
261.15 TOTAL (per week)

We're still getting housing benefit and council tax benefit as well as our PIP.

Is there anything else we're entitled to? We're around £43 per week worse off I think due to the loss in SSP which I was getting before that finished.

Thanks in advance.

Stevie_Palimo

Is £261.15 not enough to live on then ? , I would imagine lots of people would like this amount. What about housing costs are they additional ?

TrainGeek1808

Stevie_Palimo wrote: »

Is £261.15 not enough to live on then ? , I would imagine lots of people would like this amount. What about housing costs are they additional ?

It's not a case of that, it was a genuine question as to whether I'm getting everything that I'm entitled to.

tomtontom

Stevie_Palimo wrote: »

Is £261.15 not enough to live on then ? , I would imagine lots of people would like this amount. What about housing costs are they additional ?

Add PIP to that too, another £200 :eek:

Answer: Yes OP, you're receiving your full entitlement!

Stevie_Palimo

TrainGeek1808 wrote: »

It's not a case of that, it was a genuine question as to whether I'm getting everything that I'm entitled to.

Ring the benefit checker helpline or turn to us . org I think, I would imagine that due to caps you have now been reduced to keep it inline and help reduce the deficit.

tomtontom

Stevie_Palimo wrote: »

Ring the benefit checker helpline or turn to us . org I think, I would imagine that due to caps you have now been reduced to keep it inline and help reduce the deficit.

Benefit cap doesn't apply to those in receipt of disability benefits.

OP, if you grossed up your income it would be over £30,000 - not including housing costs.

paragon909

Jeez OP's household sounds like the Benefit Capital of Britain..... And people slag of single mothers and youngsters.... JSA has no massive effect on the welfare bill. it's all the disability and housing benefits..... Ridiculous.

I can't believe someone getting £261 a week cash money is complaining..... People work there asses of for £200 a week or less....

TrainGeek1808

Please note I'm not complaining. If you read the link in the OP you'll see I've got a terminal illness.

Believe me, I'd rather be working and be healthy like I did from the age of 18 until just before I was diagnosed just before I turned 37.

My question is for the benefits experts - am I missing anything I'm entitled to (Carers Allowance, Support Group, etc?)

If I'd have known my post would have received this kind of response I would not have posted - everyone on here previously had been kind and considerate to my circumstances.

tomtontom

Does anyone care for you for 35+ hours - according to your other post your wife is disabled also?

People are not unsympathetic, many of us are disabled ourselves, but when other posters are asking how they're going to make £70 last two weeks, it can be difficult to balance the disparity between different cases.

I wish you and your wife well with your conditions.

pmlindyloo

TrainGeek1808 wrote: »

Firstly - all my circumstances are at https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5223481

My IS finished 2/9/15 and I got a letter saying I'm on ESA from 3/9/15 following my phonecall to them.

I'm getting:

114.85 Living expenses for you and your partner
123.70 Extra money because you and your partner are severely disabled
22.60 Extra money because of the Disability Income Guarantee
261.15 TOTAL (per week)

We're still getting housing benefit and council tax benefit as well as our PIP.

Is there anything else we're entitled to? We're around £43 per week worse off I think due to the loss in SSP which I was getting before that finished.

Thanks in advance.

The ESA rates you are receiving tell me that you are in the assessment phase of ESA.

You have also said that you have a terminal illness. If your prognosis is for 6 months or less then you can be fast tracked for ESA and put into the support group without having a work capability assessment.

The 6 months prognosis is 'flexible' to the extent that nothing is 'fixed in stone' and there are people who have claimed under these 'special rules' who have lived considerably longer.

Your doctor would need to complete a special form confirming the details of your illness for you to be 'fast tracked'.

Your MacMillan nurse should have told you this. Did you use the fast track for your PIP claim?

If your doctor is unable to complete the form as he feels you do not meet the conditions then you will have to wait for your work capability assessment. Then you would be placed either in the support group or the WRAG group. You would then receive extra money depending on which group you are placed in.

Have a read of this link:

https://www.mariecurie.org.uk/help/money/benefits-entitlements/living-with-terminal-illness/special-rules

and then speak to MacMillan and/or your doctor about the fast track process.

TELLIT01

You, your partner, or both may be entitled to Carers Allowance if you can show you care for 35 hours per week or more. That would add roughly £45 per week. It's certainly worth investigating.