Cost of living payment

michno8

If you have 2 qualifying years of work prior to becoming Ill  you claim contribution based ESA which is the same rate of pay as income related ESA . Why are you then not entitled to the cost of living payout and help with  he Prescriptions , dentist etc . If one has a mortgage those payments have to be paid using the benefit money which leaves nothing to live on . Only option is to sell and quick . If there is any equity you are not entitled to be rehomed by the council so have to go private which is difficult to find a landlord willing to accept benefits . If you have worked hard all your life and then become Ill  it seems that you are penalised and end up being worse off than those that have never worked .

tomtom256

Because the eligibility criteria is only those on the benefits listed are eligible for it.

calcotti

michno8 said:

If you have 2 qualifying years of work prior to becoming Ill  you claim contribution based ESA which is the same rate of pay as income related ESA . 

Nobody can make a new claim for income based ESA. It ha been replaced by UC.

poppy12345

Contributions based/New style ESA are both not means tested so savings/capital, living with a partner that works and pensions up to £85 per week are all ignored. It's not the same rate as Income Related ESA if you're in the Support Group.

If it's New style ESA you're claiming have you checked entitlement to Universal Credit? If you live with a partner you claim as a couple and both your circumstances will be taken into consideration.

If it's the old contributions based then you maybe entitled to the Income Related top up but this will totally depend on your circumstances.