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New Style ESA or UC ?
- MaryJo
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1 year 10 months ago #277318 by MaryJo
New Style ESA or UC ? was created by MaryJo
Sorry if this is not in the right place. In a bit of a panic. My daughter (single) has been off work for 5 months and is about to go down to half pay. She was recently sectioned (still is) due to an attempt on her life and I'm concerned about who to contact re her entitlement to benefits when her income drops. She has never claimed benefits despite being diagnosed with ADHD 10 years ago and more recently bipolar. She is also now being assessed for autism at the hospital. We now know she has run up tens of thousands in debts (due to her inability to manage money) in the last year after buying her first home and the only solution is likely to be bankruptcy or IVA. I need quick, accurate advice on benefits ahead of her discharge but the various agencies I've made tentative enquiries to are confusing and I'm not sure they understand the complexity of the situation plus there are waiting lists everywhere. My own experience of long term ill health was I had CB ESA when I went down to half pay. Should we look at UC or New Style ESA? Is there a choice? When she's discharged we will also be trying for PIP although her mental state is so fragile I don't know how she can get through the process. She also has a 14 year old child who the wider family are supporting
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- Gary
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1 year 10 months ago #277340 by Gary
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by Gary on topic New Style ESA or UC ?
Hi MaryJo
I can feel your frustration through your writing.
We can not give you advice as we do not have all the facts, as your daughter has been sectioned the hospital should have a mental health worker who will help them apply for PIP, a family member was recently sectioned and the hospital mental health worker applied for them.
You will need to find out when your daughters work sick pay and when it finishes, providing she has worked in the last 2/3 years then she would be eligible to claim New Style ESA and or UC depending on her circumstances.
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 can get both NS ESA and UC but NS ESA will be taken into account for UC. I would advise you to seek help from your local Welfare Rights Organisation who will be able to take your daughters circumstances into consideration; you can find your local Welfare Rights Organisation to help you with advice by clicking on the link below and putting in your post code, it will then come up with a MAP with a list of agencies. advicelocal.uk
Gary
I can feel your frustration through your writing.
We can not give you advice as we do not have all the facts, as your daughter has been sectioned the hospital should have a mental health worker who will help them apply for PIP, a family member was recently sectioned and the hospital mental health worker applied for them.
You will need to find out when your daughters work sick pay and when it finishes, providing she has worked in the last 2/3 years then she would be eligible to claim New Style ESA and or UC depending on her circumstances.
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 can get both NS ESA and UC but NS ESA will be taken into account for UC. I would advise you to seek help from your local Welfare Rights Organisation who will be able to take your daughters circumstances into consideration; you can find your local Welfare Rights Organisation to help you with advice by clicking on the link below and putting in your post code, it will then come up with a MAP with a list of agencies. advicelocal.uk
Gary
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
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