ESA Advice

GardenShedTrinkets

Hi,


Need some advice over claiming ESA.



Here's a long story short; employment is due to end soon due to ill health, have been suffering with anxiety and OCD which has been so severe my psychologist has informed employer I'm disabled under the Equalities Act 2010. Work and myself coming to settlement agreement over termination - as much as I can legally say - but I'm happy with this so don't need advice as have a very good lawyer.


My plan is to take some extra time to recover and get some more therapy to cope with my mental health issues, before finding new employment. I've worked for the last twenty years and over 2 with current employer, mortgage free, no children, living with partner who works full time.


Would I be correct in thinking I can claim contribution based ESA? If so, do I need a fit note from the GP and if I do how long do I get 'signed off' for? And, finally I'd get the lower amount not the one for being assigned a group?



Thanks in advance.

Alice_Holt

GardenShedTrinkets wrote: »

Hi,
Would I be correct in thinking I can claim contribution based ESA? If so, do I need a fit note from the GP and if I do how long do I get 'signed off' for? And, finally I'd get the lower amount not the one for being assigned a group?

Yes, or if in an UC area it's called "New Style ESA".
https://ucpostcode.entitledto.co.uk/ucdate

Google gov.uk for the application process.
You will need to supply medical certificates during the assessment period.

Here are the NI contribution requirements:
https://www.entitledto.co.uk/help/employment-and-support-allowance-contribution-based

If in a UC area you will need to be persistent as many UC call handlers are poorly trained:
https://www.benefitadvice.org/new-style-esa.html

Have you considered PIP?
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/pip/

GardenShedTrinkets

Thanks for the reply, i's been delayed to due to ill health.


Few more questions;


I'm in a full UC area and been informed can only apply for new style ESA via the telephone; is this correct as I've spent literally days and hours on the phone trying to make this call? Even phoned at 8 am this morning and after an hour on hold I gave up.



Also, circumstances have changed slightly so wouldn't mind some input. Partner left work due to ill health a week after this post - guess the stress of dealing with me finally caught up, bless her - my termination was 31/07/18. Would it be correct to apply for ESA in her name with back dated start date from 20/07/18 (her termination date), and then add me at the later date?



I might have found a new role - less stress - and could be starting in a couple of weeks, will ESA be paid up to that point?


You mention PIP in your previous post; I've had a look but unsure if it's possible to claim as it seems geared for physical illness and people that require assistance. My mental health disabilities mean that I can do most things without assistance but on bad days cannot even get out of bed to look after myself or worse I'll spend multiple hours washing, preparing and planning a trip to the shops. How would I convey that for the form?


Thanks again. I'm new to all this, and slowly accepting that my mental illness won't go away like a cold, but is something I'll have to live with and adjust accordingly.

calcotti

Because new style ESA is a contribution based benefit it is claimed as an individual. If you both meet the National insurance requirements you can both claim but they are separate claims. Claims do have to be started by phone, they then send you a form to complete and return.

For income based benefits including help with rent you would claim Universal Credit.

You should get paid the ESA for the period you were out of work. You can still be paid ESA if you are working less than 16 hours and earning less than £125.50/week.

PIP is for mental health issues too, although it can be harder to demonstrate the impact illness has on you. You need to think about how you are on the majority of days. If you are OK most of the time you will not qualify, if you have difficulties on most days you may qualify.

If you are on a low income you may also qualify for Council Tax Reduction from your local authority.

TELLIT01

Most questions have been answered but the length of the medical certificate from the GP is their decision. On ESA a maximum certificate period of 3 months at a time was accepted until a claimant had been on ESA for 6 months.