ESA WRAG - FINISHING IN NOVEMBER, HELP

Hi, this is the first time I have been on here and hope for some advice. I had to give up work ten years ago due to severe agoraphobia/social phobial/depression etc. I was on Incapacity Benefit then last year went on ESA, I had to complete the medical form and got put into the WRAG last november without being seen by anybody . I have to attend the jobcentre every two months to see an advisor, who today told me my benefit will cease in November and I will be entitled to nothing??? I am unable to leave the house unless I have somebody with me and spend most of my time in the house alone as my partner works . How am I expected to work when I can't leave the house . I find it a total waste of time at the jobcentre, they ask what I have done where I have been etc and I say nothing and have been nowhere. Feel so low etc. They just tell me I have to make myself do things. I have had CBT, physciatric help etc but nothing helps I just have major panic attacks if i go out of the house alone. I don't want to be like this, do they not understand this. Anyway I could ramble on forever but won't!! Just wondered what should I do now, if I have been ill for the past ten years, why do they think I can suddenly recover by November??? Any help or advice would be gratefully recieved

Bettyboop68 wrote:

Hi, this is the first time I have been on here and hope for some advice. I had to give up work ten years ago due to severe agoraphobia/social phobial/depression etc. I was on Incapacity Benefit then last year went on ESA, I had to complete the medical form and got put into the WRAG last november without being seen by anybody . I have to attend the jobcentre every two months to see an advisor, who today told me my benefit will cease in November and I will be entitled to nothing??? I am unable to leave the house unless I have somebody with me and spend most of my time in the house alone as my partner works . How am I expected to work when I can't leave the house . I find it a total waste of time at the jobcentre, they ask what I have done where I have been etc and I say nothing and have been nowhere. Feel so low etc. They just tell me I have to make myself do things. I have had CBT, physciatric help etc but nothing helps I just have major panic attacks if i go out of the house alone. I don't want to be like this, do they not understand this. Anyway I could ramble on forever but won't!! Just wondered what should I do now, if I have been ill for the past ten years, why do they think I can suddenly recover by November??? Any help or advice would be gratefully recieved

Hi,

For the reason your benefit will stop please see:

12 Month Limit for ESA(CB)

If you think you may qualify for the Support Group please see:

Qualifying for the Support Group
Qualifying for the Support Group

The ESA guides in the members area give more details:

Qualifying for the Support Group
Qualifying for the Support Group


Pete

So does this mean if i don't get put into the support group they will just stop my benefit and i will get nothing??? surely this can't be done if i have a genuine illness, I have children and have no other income??

If you are single, with no other income and savings less than £16000 you should be transferred to income related ESA once your contributary benefit ends.

I have a partner, however, he had major surgery earlier this year and is no longer working, he is now on esa cb. I am so worried now, how we will cope. I appreciate your advice, don't know where else to turn to.

Bettyboop68 wrote:

So does this mean if i don't get put into the support group they will just stop my benefit and i will get nothing??? surely this can't be done if i have a genuine illness, I have children and have no other income??

Hi,

If you receive Contributory Based ESA in the WRAG, then benefit is limited to a maximum of 365 days - please see the link I posted in the earlier reply.

If you are put into the Contributory based Support Group then payments will continue as long as you remain in the Support Group.

If you have a working partner, you may not qualify for Income Related ESA - see:

24 hour work rule for ESA(IR)

also

Asset rule for ESA(IR)

The governments view is that if one has a working partner, once Contributory ESA WRAG expires then it is upto the working partner to support any partner/dependents.

Your partner may be able to qualify for such as Working Tax Credits but we do not give advice on tax Credits so are unable to say for certain.

Pete