Starting to panic about contribution ESA payments.

[elliegirl]

Hi, after reading different posts about ESA I am totally confused. I am currently claiming Contribution ESA (from Dec 2011) when I was medically retired from work. I rang the Jobcentre explained that I was not longer receiving wages and they told me I would get ESA if I provided medical certs. This I have been doing every 13 weeks, for as my doctor describes as Stress Related Symptoms. They have said that I have stress related IBS which means that I can be struck down with diarrhea anytime when I get panicked, stressed or upset, this will happen daily with no warning. I also suffer with depression and anxiety attacks. I have just read that this payment only last for 365 days. I have not been sent for a medical, asked to fill any assessments forms in, nothing apart from answering the initial questions over the phone when enquiring if I was entitled to anything. I am concerned also that my diagnosis has only been made from gp. I am waiting for an appointment with the mental health team so I really don't have any supporting evidence that I saw posted on another thread to start keeping. Does this seem right to you that I have been given this money for so long without any assessment and if not what should I do.

[davewhit]

depending on your postion ie partner working savings ect ect after Contribution ESA ends you MIGHT get income related ESA that depends on as I said partners income rule of thumb working more than 24 hrs a week NO IR ESA


who makes diagnosis does not matter its the things that you can and cant manage when assessed that get you esa some people dont have any idea why they are ill and get ESA

[Lighttouch]

The situation is that if you are in the WRAG contribution based ESA which is only paid for 12 months. After that time you don’t stop being eligible for ESA but transfer onto means tested ESA. For many people this will mean an end to payments if they have a working partner, private pension or savings. The government decides on a sum that you need to live on – if you have more than that amount of money coming into the household they will not pay means tested benefits. This includes Income Support.

If you cannot get (IR) ESA you can still be credited with National Insurance credits towards your State Pension. In my case I didn't apply as I already had over 30 years NI contributions.

[elliegirl]

Thanks for the replies. What I don't understand is that I am still in the assessment phase after 30 weeks. I have not been put into any group, not been sent a questionnaire, not been sent anything. My husband claims IB. We are appealing about not getting Dla for him. I just don't want to recieve a letter the 20 Dec which is what I have worked out the 365 day to saying payments have stopped.

[davewhit]

Thanks for the replies. What I don't understand is that I am still in the assessment phase after 30 weeks. I have not been put into any group, not been sent a questionnaire, not been sent anything. My husband claims IB. We are appealing about not getting Dla for him. I just don't want to recieve a letter the 20 Dec which is what I have worked out the 365 day to saying payments have stopped.

it its possible to not get in any group while awaiting your medical it means the payments will stop as its esa CB and would re start and be back dated if when you do get your award its support group

[elliegirl]

It is normal to be in the assessment phase for 34 weeks (just counted). Is there anything I should be doing, ie ringing them and querying this? Its ok saying that it can be stopped after 365 days and when got put into a group will get money backdated but what am I supposed to do for money while waiting for it to be sorted. Its especially worrying as this will happen around the Christmas week and don't know if there will be anyone to talk to.

[davewhit]

It is normal to be in the assessment phase for 34 weeks (just counted). Is there anything I should be doing, ie ringing them and querying this? Its ok saying that it can be stopped after 365 days and when got put into a group will get money backdated but what am I supposed to do for money while waiting for it to be sorted. Its especially worrying as this will happen around the Christmas week and don't know if there will be anyone to talk to.

as more and more people are moved from IB to esa and people appeal not getting what they want and some people when moved are reviewed after six months everythings taking a lot longer the time is supposed to be 13 weeks for assessment

[Carneucopia]

It is normal to be in the assessment phase for 34 weeks (just counted). Is there anything I should be doing, ie ringing them and querying this? Its ok saying that it can be stopped after 365 days and when got put into a group will get money backdated but what am I supposed to do for money while waiting for it to be sorted. Its especially worrying as this will happen around the Christmas week and don't know if there will be anyone to talk to.

It is probably safer not to rock the boat to be honest, and to expect the ESA to stop after 52 weeks. If you DO get called for the medical in the meantime you would need to be put in the Support Group for your contribution based ESA to continue beyond 12 months, and very few people get into that group. I know it's stressful - you could well still be called for assessment before December and end up with an appeal earlier.
What would be useful would be for you to get a benefit check done in advance, based on your husbands income and any other income, but not counting your ESA. At least that would show what you MIGHT be faced with later, and help you decide how to proceed.