ESA Support Group

Thank you for such a quick reply, bro58

I shall write then- would be nice if they could just tell you, everyone (or at least almost) would want to know when the next form is going to be landing on the mat.

Re the other date- thank you, I shall try not to worry as the date gets closer then!! Didn't think it could seriously be the length of award or see how they could be reducing money at that time, etc. but you never know! Seems strange that they should add it for no reason- they must get a lot of worried/confused phone calls...

I know this is off topic, but can I just ask if there is any potential catch/downside to changing from Contribution Based ESA to Income Related ESA? I think I shoud be eligible for IR but don't want to risk and complications like not being able to get back onto CB at a later date if circumstances change. Also, do they count DLA as income for IR claims as I'm hoping to find the energy to put in a claim for that in the not too distant future?

And, just so you know- I asked on my ESA50 form, as per your guides' advice, that they only contact me by letter as I find phone calls very difficult due to my fatigue and cognitve issues (I have severe M.E.) and left off my phone number, but they called anyway... and early in the morning when I made it clear my symptoms are even worse. So, as predicted, they ignored my request completely!

Thanks again for the great guides- would never have got this far without them!

Rae

Rae198 wrote:

Thank you for such a quick reply, bro58

I shall write then- would be nice if they could just tell you, everyone (or at least almost) would want to know when the next form is going to be landing on the mat.

Re the other date- thank you, I shall try not to worry as the date gets closer then!! Didn't think it could seriously be the length of award or see how they could be reducing money at that time, etc. but you never know! Seems strange that they should add it for no reason- they must get a lot of worried/confused phone calls...

I know this is off topic, but can I just ask if there is any potential catch/downside to changing from Contribution Based ESA to Income Related ESA? I think I shoud be eligible for IR but don't want to risk and complications like not being able to get back onto CB at a later date if circumstances change. Also, do they count DLA as income for IR claims as I'm hoping to find the energy to put in a claim for that in the not too distant future?

And, just so you know- I asked on my ESA50 form, as per your guides' advice, that they only contact me by letter as I find phone calls very difficult due to my fatigue and cognitve issues (I have severe M.E.) and left off my phone number, but they called anyway... and early in the morning when I made it clear my symptoms are even worse. So, as predicted, they ignored my request completely!

Thanks again for the great guides- would never have got this far without them!

Rae

Hi Rae,

It is not a choice whether you get IR ESA, or Contributory ESA.

It depends on your NI Credits history.

Some claimants may receive contributory ESA, with IR ESA also.

With regard to DLA, it is not counted as income with regards to any means tested benefit.

As long as you stay in the support group, you will not be subject to the proposed 12 month limit on Contributory ESA.

cheers

bro58

Hi Rae,

Re the phone call issue, the whole process can be done via written correspondance.

So if you don't feel up to answering the phone, don't.

The phone calls are for their convenience, not yours, so don't feel badgered into talking to them over the phone.

cheers

bro58

Thank you

Rae198 wrote:

Thank you

No problem at all Rae.

Oh, and I forgot to congratulate you on getting into the support group.

Once you have the documents that you have requested, hopefully you will be able to escape all this stress, and concentrate on dealing with your conditions.

I hope that your expected re-assessment date is as far away as possible.

Best wishes

bro58