ESA Contribution Based Changes

You may be right, DJMH15, because it's as clear as fudge. Some points, though:

1. Reassessment is not a new claim. It's an ongoing claim.

2. The is no purpose in the GP mentioning "new people claiming" if there were only "new people claiming".

3. The Government has not stated it plans to means-test PIP or the State Retirement Pension.

The current rate for ESA (support group) is £138.20. The new proposed benefit Unemployed Insurance will be the same rate. If I'm reading the GP correctly.

That is the current rate. Under the new benefit a claimant would be entitled to payment for two years only, irrespective of the liklihood of their ever working again. This is a viscious cut.

Has anyone pointed out that if the time limit is imposed on the replacement for esa after that expires you will not have NI paid, and therefore will not have had enough "paid in" to have a pension!

I support that would depend on a claimant's NI record.

The OP and others want to know how claimants with zero UC eligibility will survive financially after two years given that many are without realistic prospects of employment.

It is this question to which we require an answer.

This is all really really scary.

I would say it's more than lightly as someone suggested everything contuines as is until you'd be due for reassessment- which will be the pip assessment as they are removing the wca. Therefore unless you are deemed sick enough to receive DL you will probably loose the s upport on esa.

What is the time frame required to be sle to claim this new benefits? My employer sacked me may 24 due to long term sickness. Depending when this comes in I may loose the support group, DL. Even if I manage to keep mobility 300 p/m is not enough to live on. And I don't quality for anything else.

What happened to this governments pledge to end the use of foodbanks etc. I think at this rate every street will need one. And I have worked since I was 16. It's killing me not to be able to work and I feel so guilty but being realistic no employer would take me on. What am I supposed to do.

I know I'm not the only person in this boat.