Have Pip is ESA as hard to claim?

Hi headabovethewater

You will only be able to apply for NS ESA if you have the correct NI contributions; www.gov.uk/guidance/new-style-employment-and-support-allowance

New Style ESA is a Contribution Based benefit and is not means tested with the exception of pension income which can reduce the amount that you receive.

The Income Related benefit that goes with NS ESA is Universal Credit.

You need to seek advice from your local Welfare Rights Organisation; advicelocal.uk

'New Style' Contributory ESA: How to Claim
 
How to claim New Style ESA
 
Online - see here: www.gov.uk/guidance/new-style-employment...wance-detailed-guide
Telephone - Claimants who are unable to claim online can ring the UC helpline* Telephone: 0800 328 5644 / Textphone: 0800 328 1344 to request a form to be sent to them by post. 

The telephone operator should send a message to the local Jobcentre asking staff to contact the claimant to organise their new claim appointment. However, if they have not been notified of an appointment within 1 week, they should ring the helpline without delay.

(*Even if the claimant does NOT want to claim UC at the same time – it is the UC dept who send out the NSESAF1 form – see below for problems they might encounter).

At Jobcentre – The form should be available to collect from the claimant’s local Jobcentre. When claimants ask for the NSESAF1 form, this should prompt the Jobcentre staff to arrange the new claim appointment whilst the claimant is there.
 
Claimants will need to provide a fit (sick) note from their doctor and, if they have been on Statutory Sick Pay, form SSP1 from their employer (although they should not delay in making their claim if they are waiting for the SSP1).
 
What happens at the new claim appointment?
At the new claim appointment, the NSESAF1 form will be checked by Jobcentre staff and the claimant will hand in their fit note and SSP1 form (if applicable).

If they are not a UC claimant, their ID will be verified and they will agree and sign a Claimant Commitment.

Gary

Hi headabovethewater

Because you have PIP it is not automatic that you will be awarded ESA, because they are looking at different things. PIP is about your mobility and functioning in your daily life, and ESA is about your ability to work. Yes, there is some overlap - but as with all things DWP it is not a given that once you get one, you will automatically get the other. I don't say that to frighten you - just to tell you that plenty of people have both PIP and ESA, and a large number have one or the other.

As for how humiliating and exhausting it's going to be. I would like to say that it shouldn't be humiliating, but explaining things to complete strangers can be. Is it exhausting? Yes - because every claimant worries about saying the right thing. All I can advise is to follow the guide and do one question at a time. It is large, but I prefer to think of it as comprehensive rather than massive and a lot of our members have benefited from the knowledge contained within.

BIS