Important Changes To Employment And Support Allowance

[TrueBlueTerrier]

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From 30 April people who are able to get back into the workplace will get Contribution-based Employment and Support Allowance (ESA (C)) for a maximum of 12 months. This change will affect people in what is known as the Work Related Activity Group.

The change will mean that from 30 April if someone has received ESA (C) for more than 365 days their benefit will stop. The Department has contacted all of the claimants who will be affected by this ahead of the implementation.

Claimants who have no access to money or support will be able to claim Income Related ESA. People who already been assesed for Income Related ESA will automatically have their benefit adjusted and for those who have not been assessed for Income Related ESA will be asked if they want to make a claim.

People in the Support Group and those receiving income related ESA are unaffected by this measure.

A Department for work and Pensions spokesperson said:

“The Welfare Reform Bill set out that ESA for people who could work was never intended to be a long term benefit. A time-limit of one year recognised that some people need extra help to enter the workplace and for those with no other financial support in the household there will be Income Related ESA which can be claimed after the one year limit.”

[TeeferTiger]

I know, I got the letter on Saturday I only got the letter on Thursday telling me I'd won my appeal and that I was being placed into the WRAG and will be given support etc. 2 days later they write to me saying that because I'd had the benefit for 365 days, it'll finish on 30th April. 2 months of being on it I was still employed and 9 months of being on that benefit were at the lower rate because they made me appeal my assessment!

I've now had to appeal to be put into the support group instead and then detailed everything that was wrong in the original assessment seeing as they didn't give me chance to do so at the tribunal.

[mazza111]

It only really affects those who have no underlying entitlement to the income based ESA. It's a bit a swizz really. Everyone used to be entitled to Incapacity Benefit, whether they had a partner or not. Now if you have a partner, their income is taken into account which means less people get the benefit. Is it any wonder that a lot of parents claim to be single when this is happening?

[Straight4ward]

Teefer, is Income Related ESA likely to be less than Contribution-based Employment and Support Allowance (ESA (C)?

[mazza111]

It's a little less, £5.60/week. It's the couples thing that's going to screw everyone over

[TeeferTiger]

I'm married and because hubster works more than 24 hours, I wouldn't be entitled to Income Related ESA

I'd LOVE to be able to work, but I'm not well enough! Who, in their right minds, would take on someone who can't say from morning to afternoon whether they'd be able to work or not, will look like they're off their head/confused/forgetful/can't hear a lot of the time, when there are so many healthy people out and about?

So, I try to stick with voluntary work and studying to stop me going insane sitting at home alone, but I can't even manage all that. At least I don't have to feel like dirt if I tell someone at college or Marie Curie that I can't make it in due to not being able to get out of bed without feeling like someone has an ice pick in the side of my head!

[mazza111]

I hear you hon, I'm the same. Can sit at my pc for about an hour before I need to go and stretch everything out again to stop me seizing up. But I'll stick with it for a year for the sake of a fiver a week, no doubt I'll be worse by next year

[TeeferTiger]

I hear you hon, I'm the same. Can sit at my pc for about an hour before I need to go and stretch everything out again to stop me seizing up. But I'll stick with it for a year for the sake of a fiver a week, no doubt I'll be worse by next year

I'm only on the computer so much because I don't go out/don't feel safe to and I'm bored of lieing down in a dark room!

[mazza111]

I wasn't criticising. Just meant I couldn't get an office job like ATOS say because I can't sit down too long Wish I could to get me out the house and away from pc monitor

[TeeferTiger]

I wasn't criticising. Just meant I couldn't get an office job like ATOS say because I can't sit down too long Wish I could to get me out the house and away from pc monitor

I didn't think you were criticising? x