ESA for persons shielding

Scotch_Bonnet_

Good day to you all. I received my shielding letter some time back and applied for ESA as instructed. I have not had a response to my application, has anyone been successful in receiving ESA due to shielding?

poppy12345

Scotch_Bonnet_ said:

Good day to you all. I received my shielding letter some time back and applied for ESA as instructed. I have not had a response to my application, has anyone been successful in receiving ESA due to shielding?

The only ESA that's possible to claim now is New style ESA which will depend on your NI contributions in tax years April 2018 to March 2020. When did you apply?

Are you claiming Universal Credit? In another thread here https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6217381/gdpr-and-dwp/p2

it mentions you "may" not be entitled to it, did you successfully claim it? If you did then claiming New style ESA will not make you financially better off because the ESA is deducted in full from any UC entitlement.

Spoonie_Turtle

If you have had no payments and no letters, you should chase them up.  If you were not eligible for whatever reason they should have sent you a letter to tell you they can't pay you, I'd have thought.

Scotch_Bonnet_

Thank you for your response. I am not receiving UC, and I am on the shielding list. The guidelines I read said if you are shielding you could apply for ESA, so I was wondering if anyone was successful with their application. The benefits system is new to me, having never used It before, and I find it a little confusing.

poppy12345

Yes that's correct BUT as it's New style ESA then claiming it successfully will depend on your NI contributions in the previous 2 tax years. Have you previously worked at all in those 2 years? If you haven't paid the correct amount then you won't be able to claim it. When exactly did you claim it?

Is there any reason why you haven't claimed UC or is this because of savings/capital?

tboo

Best chase them up as claiming for shielding is ending soon.

From 1 April you will no longer be eligible for Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) or Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) on the basis of being advised to shield.

frogga

that is interesting tboo.  I just posted on another page (the jobs one) about SSP ending and making a claim today for ESA.  What a palaver it all was!! So you say as of 1st April Mr Frog wont be entitled anyway? His Sick note runs to 20th June. I guess he wont be entitled to anything then? Good job I'm rolling in dosh, oh, no hold on...

calcotti

frogga said:

that is interesting tboo.  I just posted on another page (the jobs one) about SSP ending and making a claim today for ESA.  What a palaver it all was!! So you say as of 1st April Mr Frog wont be entitled anyway? His Sick note runs to 20th June. I guess he wont be entitled to anything then? Good job I'm rolling in dosh, oh, no hold on...

If he has a Fit Note for a medical reason then they can claim ESA. It is only COVID shielding that is ending so claims cannot be made on the basis of being someone advised to shield (such people didn’t need a Fit Note).

frogga

Well thank you Calcotti, I was unaware of that? The Sick Note says 'risk of infection, under hospital care'. I have put in the claim for him so it would be handy to be awarded a little bit of help, but it isn't the end of the world if we are not entitled.

xxxxxxxx

You may find that sick note is rejected because it is not a medical condition.    

Scotch_Bonnet_

To be honest, I think even the DWP themselves are confused. I have a text they received my documents on the 18th February, when I spoke to them on march 26th she said Im not on the system, so they haven't received my documents, and then said I should speak to the UC people as I can't make a new claim for ESA. I tried to tell her I have my letter than I have to shield and so made the application on that basis. She didn't want to know.