I can't sign on

poppy12345

Totally agree with only ever hearing the bad stories. Yes, people do get found fit for work when they shouldn't have, this will always happen but lots of people are placed into a group successfully.


I was recently re-assessed for ESA and remained in the Support Group, where i've been for more than 6 years.

Alice_Holt

How to apply for the SDP premium on your ESA:
https://www.gov.uk/disability-premiums-income-support/eligibility
Note that:
"If you’re in a couple
You’ll get the higher amount of severe disability premium if both you and your partner are eligible.
You can get the lower amount if someone gets Carers Allowance or the carers element of Universal Credit for looking after only one of you"
https://www.gov.uk/disability-premiums-income-support/how-to-claim

Some information on the F2F assessment when it happens:
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/employment-and-support-allowance/help-with-your-esa-claim/esa-medical-assessment/

I would also suggest a benefits check and advice at your local advice centre / CAB. They may be able to review your form before you send it off if you contact them in good time.

I would suggest typing your answers to the form on additional sheets (head each section with the question number and write on the relevant box on the form - "See attached sheet"). This has several advantages:
a) easily edited and amended to get to a consistent version you are happy with;
b) legible and easily read by assessor / DWP;
c) You can get a more consistent picture;
d) More scope to explain the risks to your health (Regs 29 & 35) and relate these to activities such as coping with change, social engagement, and going out.

Attach the sheets (and any medical evidence) securely to the form, and put your name and NI on all attached documentations. Be sure to keep a copy of the ESA50 for your records.

SeaJ

Thank you very much Alice, and thank you very much everyone.

Alice_Holt

Just going back to your original post.

In the very, very unlikely event that your ESA stopped, because of your caring responsibilities to your wife who is in receipt of Daily Living PIP, you. would not be asked to look for work by the DWP.

I alluded to this in an earlier post (4). What would happen is that:
a) You and your wife would apply for Universal Credit (UC);
b) As you are both in receipt of Daily Living PIP - you would both be counted as having caring responsibilities, so would:
i) be placed in the No Work Requirements group - https://www.turn2us.org.uk/Benefit-guides/Universal-Credit/Claimant-Commitment-Conditionality; and
ii) both receive the additional carers element of £156 pm. https://www.turn2us.org.uk/Benefit-guides/Universal-Credit/Additional-Elements-of-Universal-Credit

Hope that helps to set your mind at rest.

SeaJ

None of us are officially carers though. We just help each other but we don't get anything as far as carer's allowance is concerned.

Alice_Holt

SeaJ wrote: »

None of us are officially carers though. We just help each other but we don't get anything as far as carer's allowance is concerned.

For UC it makes no difference if you are claiming CA or not.
The important part is that you are (both) claiming PIP.

Are you getting the Severe Disability Premium added to your ESA. If not do consider claiming it (see post 13)

SeaJ

I hadn't heard of Severe Disability Premium until a few weeks ago. But I think I don't qualify for reasons I can't remember. Either that or we are already getting it. I'll look into it though.

Thank you