Incapacity benefit

[Stig]

Hi all i am on incapacity benefit with an addition for age whatever that means i heard a rumour about being changed to ESA or something like that ...confused what will this mean perhaps a whole lot off being effed about by numpty civil servants whos only concern is who is brewing up next or if Tracy and Sharon are coming out this coming weekend

[Carneucopia]

The 'age addition' means that when you first claimed IB you were under a certain age, and therefore had a kind of 'bonus' added. (The idea being that the younger a person was when they became unfit for work, the longer they might be left struggling on benefits.)
What is happening now isn't a rumour I'm afraid. It is a fact that under new government policy IB has already been replaced by ESA - Employment Support Allowance. This change happened almost 2 years ago, but they are now getting round to moving people from the old IB over to ESA.
This change means that you can, at some time, expect to receive a form to complete, after which you will have to go for a medical (unless you suffer from one of the exempt conditions - they are listed in another current thread.)
If you remember any of the IB questionnaires - the new ESA one is along the same lines, but the questions are much more limiting with regard to your level of capability. It is always best to get help with the form, from CAB or similar.