Is ATOS medicla requried if on Pension credit?

[ANDYANDFLO]

I was on ESA and have now switched across to Pension credit, however prior to this I received a "Limited capability for work" questionaire which I have not completed as yet. They require it back by 8th July 2010.

Due to my existing and escalating medical condition it is unlikely I will be judged fit for work, but if on Pension credit are you still required to complete the form for the ATOS medical?

I would like to avoid the hassle and stress if possible.

 

Right I hope that I can help you with this one as I looked into it as an option I could take.

Pension Credit is basically a means tested benefit. For a single person a payment of £132.60pw is made and for a couple, £202.40. If all of your income is less, Pension Credit will top it up. There are other additions such as mortgage interest payments, payments if you have savings and disability premiums.

Now if you are claiming ESA, Pension Credit will take that into account when calculating your total weekly income. However if you stop claiming ESA, whatever you lose by way of payment for that benefit, Pension Credit will increase their payment by the same amount.

So in other words, you can never be any better off or indeed worse off.

What it does mean that you have no need to continue sending in sick notes, attend medicals or fill in the ESA50. Whatever you receive from ESA it will be taken off the Pension Credit payment. One thing in favour in claiming Pension Credit is that the amount is fixed for a period of time, and if your income does go up it will not affect the weekly payment until the review date - maybe in 6 months!

 

It is a personal choice if you want to claim ESA however (it may sound daft given my comments above!), as there are or maybe other options open to you depending on your particular circumstances.

 

Example: I receive £5.25 Pension Credit pw & £65.45 ESA pw whilst waiting for the Tribunal hearing as I failed the medical. If I stopped the ESA, my Pension Credit payment would go up to £70.70 pw.

 

The reason I am claiming ESA is because of the other conditional add on's that are not available with Pension Credit but are with ESA.

 

Hope that makes sense - it's really a personal thing and you have to weigh up all of your other options that might be of use to you now and in the future.

[ANDYANDFLO]

Andyandflo I chose the pension credit route as it is quiet stressful remembering to get sick notes every month plus the hassle of the ESA which I doubt if I will pass but knowing ATOS will fail. The disabilities lady at the Jobcentreplus recomended that ti may be the best option for me as one week I can work a whole week and the next week only one or two days or even none. Last year I maanged to hang onto a job for three months but eventually they had to let me go due to having to take days off for medicals, specialist appointments and being off ill.

To be fair to any employer, who would want to employ someone that has to have days off constantly and special arrangements have to be made to accommodate their disabilities.

Ideally I would like a self employed part time as and when job where I could work from home with occasionally visits to the workplace to update. At least that way the brain is kept active and may be able to earn a few bob to boot and it just get deducted at the review.

 

Hi, yes I know where you are coming from. I went off sick in March 2009 and resigned in December 2009. I was honest with my employer in that building up to March 09, I was in and out of work for at least a week every month. I could not see a time when I would be able to go back full time so we parted company. Prior to resigning, I claimed ESA in Oct 09, failed the medical in Mar 10 and now waiting for the appeal hearing. Of course it would be a lot less stressful if I cancelled the ESA claim, but like you I am hoping to do some self employed work if and when.

Where it helps me is that the disregard for Pension Credit is £10pw - earn anything over that it is reduced £ for £. By staying on ESA, and under the 'Permitted Work' rules, the disregard is a lot better.