Quit everything , and start again over 50?

another_casualty

harz99 wrote: »

I think your wrong there AC, and you should investigate claiming Contribution based ESA asap. AFAIK your savings etc. have no bearing on the claim whatsoever.


https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/employment-and-support-allowance/before-you-apply-for-esa/eligiblility-for-esa/


Many times you have mentioned your health, long term condition and the problems it causes - was that not the primary reason for leaving both your job and London. There must be CAB or other advisers who can steer you in the correct direction.

There is a live chat part on there, so I will try that and let you know .:)

another_casualty

Ok ..spoke to advisor via the chat function . I will look into the. Links that were sent again. 2 ways of looking at this : if you have more than £16,000 in savings it affects your claim.
On the disability side of things , you have to see a doctor , then fill out the form etc . I assume the same scenario.
However, I may talk to doctor in may and see what gives. The way I currently feel is to ask her for a six month sicknote and ease my way into employment after that .
So there you have it

harz99

According to the links the £16k savings only comes into play for the Income based version of ESA not the contribution based version which effectively replaced the old contribution based JSA.

Are you sure which bit the advisor thought you were talking about?

Not a fan of doing this sort of thing on line, much better face to face.

Don't see any point in leaving following this up until May, youve got the time now before work starts on the flat etc.

lessonlearned

Harz has it right.

Your savings will not affect your claim.

Contribution based ESA is calculated purely on whether or not you have paid enough into the State kitty. Savings are irrelevant.

AC please remember they only become payable from the day you claim, not the day you finished work. They cannot be back dated.

They are also time sensitive In that they are based on your contributions in a financial year, and I think the previous year. I doubt that contributions on years further back are counted. I could be wrong, however I'm pretty sure that you can't "bank" your contributions for future years.....(not like pensions).

Please be careful that by delaying you are not losing out. And please speak to the organ grinder and not the monkey. I agree with Harz preferably face to face.

A little bit despondent today.

It would have been my husband's 60th birthday today and he would have been retiring. It would have been a time for joyous celebrations.

I feel so sad today. Both he and I have missed on what should have been our glorious autumn years. My parents had a 30 year retirement, as did his. He didn't even make it.

AC. I appreciate your condition gets you down at times but with care it can be managed. With the right diet, exercise, rest, weight loss etc you can live a very good life.

I know you might not always think so because when we feel ill it is easy to see only the bleak picture but in many ways you really are a very lucky man.

another_casualty

Thanks harz/ LL

I will visit the local cab next week , and let you know the outcome for sure . I was given a reference no. Which will help.
I did explain it exactly as you said harz , re emphasised the fact .
We' ll see .
LL, sorry you are having such a miserable day . Unfortunately , you will have a few reminders of all the great times you had . Xmas etc.
However, you are made of strong stuff, and nothing gets you down for long .
I had a look back at some of the earlier posts on this thread ( up to July last year ) .
It emphasises how much has been done , more or less from may last year
It seems now that , the new flat purchase is imminent . Don't want to jinx anything but it seems too smooth iyswim.
I'm from the old school of working constantly , and seeing how far I can go. As mentioned , I never signed on(except when I got made redundant back in 2006 from my fave job ). This myasthenia only happened in mid 2014. I've come to terms with it , and it could be a lot lot worse. The break is needed . I knew that 6 months was needed , as I was going off the rails . I am indeed very lucky,.
I've always tried to keep my feet on the ground . Sometimes the feet have been like lead , or cement . I have to move on from uncertainty and get on with it

candygirl

Sending massive hugs to LL today :A xx
AC get a claim in for ESA now, as there's no way you're fit to be looking for work yet, is there? You have paid into the system for years, so don't feel guilty. Also the CAB n Welfare Rights have people who can help you with the form filling

Karonher

Just to echo what LL and Harz have said. When I was unemployed in 2011 I got 6 months contribution based JSA. After that, they took into account savings, but at the beginning it was fine.

They said I was eligible for the 6 months payments as I had paid tax for more than the previous 2 years.

copperjar

Hi AC. Hope all is well with you, sounds like you are more confident and happy that the flat is right for you. Glad things went well when you viewed again. I would echo what other people have said about both taking your time and watching those pennies! Someone told me to live in a new house for a few months before making any big changes which has been excellent advice. Things I thought we would want to change we haven't, and the things I said could wait have now been prioritised. The main thing is to stick to your budget and not get too carried away. Remember the bigger picture - new life, new you, debt and stress free!

I know you said your condition can make decorating difficult but again, you don't need to do everything at once. Would you believe it if I told you I've joined a 5 week painting and decorating night class at my local college! First session was last night - I loved it! I've previously slapped paint on walls but want to get it right in this new lovely house of ours. And I met some lovely people too. Already looking for another course to do afterwards!

Anyway, keep your head, try not too get to carried away spending but enjoy the excitement of your new house! You sound so positive and happy - really is such a difference from when you first started your thread.

another_casualty

Hi copperjar
Thanks for the kind words and support .
Glad you're enjoying the course . Eventually, I'll be doing something similar , and I'll probably know when the time is right to do so.

You are right .i have to tread carefully spending wise etc .
If I do get that flat, I will,paint it myself . The colour is awful and is painted amateurly. The bathroom is manky . The kitchen is ok at best .
Yes, I am a lot happier for sure . I don't miss the London cesspit .
There is still a way to go , but looking at this time last year I do wonder how I got this far .
Glad you're enjoying your new place also.
In a way we're similar. New. Place , new ideas etc .
Keep it together

another_casualty

I was just gonna go out , trying to avoid the intervals of rain and then my neighbour knocked on the door and ask if I could collect a parcel for him. No problem . It could be here within the next hour or so .
Just hoping that I can still avoid the rain .
My raincoat is in storage , although I did look in m&s and their selection was not very good.

So,I received the letter from the gas engineer , and he found the
'Glow worm flexicom 30cx boiler to be to manufactures instructions and conforms to gas safety regulations .' There was me thinking it was a 'valiant ' boiler. Oh well, £37 for reassurance providing I keep,window closed .
Just had a brief look at some of the documentation my solicitor sent me today via email. Will go over it fully over the weekend.

So the property asking price was gonna be £190,000 but seller was advised to market it at £170,000 due to work needed etc.
The seller had issues with the neighbour above parking cars outside the property and her parking space on occasions. Sounds to me like weekend visitors etc. The seller also complained to the opposite flat for parking their cars outside the entrance .
She has had complaints about smoking inside and outside the communal areas. My guess, is that is from the tenants she let the property out to.
There is a sinking fund . Not sure how that works .
Apparently ,threre was a failed attempt to buy the freehold at some stage but the documents are lost .
It looks like it's a good job the electrics are being done / have been done this week . 'Unsatisfactory ' was showing on reports .
There was insect problems in the past , probably woodworm. I have to study that.
Went to bed very late last night . Woke up , thinking someone was banging on the door . Was feeling ropey this morning but am okay now.