Claiming PIP or ESA for heart condition

Birdy12

I'm enquiring on behalf of a relative who has recently been diagnosed with a heart condition. Been told by doctors to completely rest, no physical chores at all. Relative is mid thirties, self employed, (manual work) and has partner (working full time) & 2 school age children.

Obviously, relative cannot work at present; hasn't been able to do so for the last couple of months. As they are self employed, doesn't qualify for any form of sick pay.

Despite partner working, they are missing the extra wage. Can relative put a claim in for PIP or ESA? I've checked the criteria for PIP and don't believe relative would qualify as they can still do things for themselves. Is ESA an alternative?

Thanks, B

Diary

Birdy12 wrote: »

I'm enquiring on behalf of a relative who has recently been diagnosed with a heart condition. Been told by doctors to completely rest, no physical chores at all. Relative is mid thirties, self employed, (manual work) and has partner (working full time) & 2 school age children.

Obviously, relative cannot work at present; hasn't been able to do so for the last couple of months. As they are self employed, doesn't qualify for any form of sick pay.

Despite partner working, they are missing the extra wage. Can relative put a claim in for PIP or ESA? I've checked the criteria for PIP and don't believe relative would qualify as they can still do things for themselves. Is ESA an alternative?
T
Thanks, B

ESA isn't an alternative to PIP, both PIP and ESA can be claimed together.

Alice_Holt

I would suggest your relative visits his local CAB for advice.

Are they claiming Tax Credits as a couple?

TELLIT01

If they can get a medical certificate, now called fit note, from their GP they can put in a claim for Contributions based ESA. Entitlement will depend on their National Insurance history in the 2 qualifying years. They have nothing to lose by applying.

FBaby

A 'heart condition' on its own means nothing. You can have a very small hole in the heart which would be qualified as a heart condition, but wouldn't stop anyone from living an activity lifestyle. Many have them and don't even know it.

What heart condition do they have? Is this something permanent, something they will require surgery for, something that will mean a less physically active lifestyle but not forcibly stopping all activities?

Whether they can get ESA and/or PIP will depend on all the above and more.

kingfisherblue

Birdy12 wrote: »

I'm enquiring on behalf of a relative who has recently been diagnosed with a heart condition. Been told by doctors to completely rest, no physical chores at all. Relative is mid thirties, self employed, (manual work) and has partner (working full time) & 2 school age children.

Obviously, relative cannot work at present; hasn't been able to do so for the last couple of months. As they are self employed, doesn't qualify for any form of sick pay.

Despite partner working, they are missing the extra wage. Can relative put a claim in for PIP or ESA? I've checked the criteria for PIP and don't believe relative would qualify as they can still do things for themselves. Is ESA an alternative?

Thanks, B

ESA might be a possibility. There are two types, contributions and income based. A brief explanation here:

https://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/employment-and-support-allowance/esa-glossary/1488-what-is-contribution-based-employment-and-support-allowance-esa

Long term, your relative may be able to return to work but possibly in a different job if manual work is no longer suitable.

TELLIT01

FBaby wrote: »

A 'heart condition' on its own means nothing.

True, but the OP has already stated that the potential claimant has been told by doctors that they must currently have complete rest. That doesn't sound like something trivial. It's on that basis that claiming ESA has been put forward as a potential option. If their GP provides the 'fit note' there is no requirement for further information at that stage.