IF ESA IS STOPPED NEXT YEAR - WHAT NEXT!

It would seem that if it is passed in its current form, there will be a lot of people acquainting themsleves with Support Group criteria and many appeals with that Group in mind.

However there is still hope, it isnt all over yet

XFACTOR wrote:

It would seem that if it is passed in its current form, there will be a lot of people acquainting themsleves with Support Group criteria and many appeals with that Group in mind.

However there is still hope, it isnt all over yet

I have seen on here and other forums people asking questions in a way that its as if they are trying to work out if they can get in the support group... and are looking for people to say of course you will you will easily get in

I have

Gordon wrote:

mike1983 wrote:

so everyone claiming ESA will get stopped after 12 months or in april next year

Everyone receiving Contribution Based ESA who have been in the WRAG for 12 months will lose their eligibility for ESA(CB), but will remain eligible to receive Income Related ESA, subject to a means test involving assets, income, and partners working hours.

Anyone already receiving ESA(IR) or in the Support Group will not be affected.

Gordon

What so all of us on IB benefit, when we claim ESA if we get put in wrag we either have to claim JSA or just starve cos we have no money, i have yet to recive my for and im worried that i wont be put in support group for mental health issues like autism,depression,epilepsy, if this is wrong please explain in simple terms

janis42 wrote:

Can anyone advise please - if husband's ESA is stopped next April if Bill goes through Parliament does that mean he will get absolutely nothing for being ill and not able to work through damage caused by a stroke? He will not get income based ESA as I work more than 24 hours a week(not at a high salary I may add) and obviously he is not fit for work so cannot apply for JSA (and even then again because I work more than 24 hours I understand he would not get this either). I will be toiling to maintain the two of us on what I earn taking into account the bills etc that have to be paid. I am furious - my husband has paid NI for over 40 years now and never been signed off sick until two years ago when he was retired through ill health. He cannot even claim pension credit (he is now just turned 60) because I will be a bit above the income "allowed" by Government for the two of us to live on. I cannot even begin to tell you what I would like to do with all Tories!

i dnt think this bill will go through due to human rights cos it just means heres money for a year now get out of your house and sleep on the road. it will do more harm than good i think

mike1983 wrote:

Gordon wrote:

mike1983 wrote:

so everyone claiming ESA will get stopped after 12 months or in april next year

Everyone receiving Contribution Based ESA who have been in the WRAG for 12 months will lose their eligibility for ESA(CB), but will remain eligible to receive Income Related ESA, subject to a means test involving assets, income, and partners working hours.

Anyone already receiving ESA(IR) or in the Support Group will not be affected.

Gordon

What so all of us on IB benefit, when we claim ESA if we get put in wrag we either have to claim JSA or just starve cos we have no money, i have yet to recive my for and im worried that i wont be put in support group for mental health issues like autism,depression,epilepsy, if this is wrong please explain in simple terms

Hi,

it is difficult to put it any simpler as ESA can be so complex, not least complicated by the proposals in the Welfare Reform Bill 2011.

However, as proposed, if one claims Contributory ESA (i.e. based on ones N.I.Contribution record) and is placed in the Work Related Activity Group, after being paid the benefit for one year, no further payments will be made.

Claimants who have no other income or savings may then qualify for Income Related ESA (i.e. means tested ESA) and will continue to receive payments of that benefit instead.

Those who do have some form of other income, such as from a working partner, or pension etc, or have savings may not qualify for Income Related ESA so cannot claim this benefit.

The above applies to those placed in the Work Related Activity Group. Those put into the Support Group are not affected.


However, even if not actually getting paid any benefit when the one year of Contributory ESA in the WRAG has expires, it is worth keeping the claim open (without payment) in order that:

1. Ones National Insurance Credits are maintained (which helps contribute towards ones State Pension) and

2. It would permit one to claim Contributory ESA in the Support Group if ones illness deteriorates at some point in the future (and at that time qualify for the Support Group).

I don't think it is possible to explain it any simpler.

Pete