From JSA to ESA am I eligible.

[Lilly_Monroe]

Best of luck and come back if need support.

Answer honestly and your on the right track, thats about it

 

Thank You, the help and support from people on here is a life line.

 

Lilly

[Lilly_Monroe]

Hi

 

At the moment I have just gone over from Income related JSA to ESA.

 

I was getting help with my mortgage interest payments on JSA (and this has been transferred over whilst claiming ESA) I believe this can continue for 104 weeks on JSA - is it the same time span if I stay on ESA.

 

Thanks

 

Lilly

[Lilly_Monroe]

Anyone please.

 

Lilly

[flumps1976]

There is currently no time limit on the help you can receive for your Mortgage Interest via a claim to IS , Income Related ESA or Pension Credit, only a claim for JSA is currently time limited.

[MIKEY DABODEE]

I dont work on mortgages but I would say yes you will get two years in total

 

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/On_a_low_income/DG_180321

[Lilly_Monroe]

Hi

 

My ESA so called medical will be coming up soon - and I expect to fail it (be prepared is my motto), and I will appeal.

 

What happens to my ESA payment if I fail, and go to appeal, will I have to revert back to JSA and keep signing on whilst I appeal.

 

Thanks

 

Lilly

[CharlieAdam]

From what i have learned, you must send in a gl24 appeal form with a doctors sick note asap after you are refused (if you are refused) and state you wish to recieve ESA at the basic rate pending appeal/tribunal. Thats where i am now.

[MARTIN3030]

Welcome to the site.

Please read some of the info in the stickies at the top of this forum.

[honeybee13]

Hello there.

 

I think CharlieAdam is right. If you appeal, you should receive the Assessment rate of ESA while the appeal is being looked at. As Martin said, the sticky about appeals and tribunals should help.

 

My best, HB

[Lilly_Monroe]

Thanks everyone.

 

Lilly

[Lilly_Monroe]

Hi

 

I have been on ESA for 12 weeks, I sent in the ESA form mid December, but so far have not heard a thing, are they waiting to see if I get issued with another certificate due at the end of this month or just busy?

 

I did not send any medical evidence as I do not have any, only my GP and councillors name, as well as descriptions on how my illness effects me, I was honest and did not make anything up.

Not sure what I will do if they fail me, and put me back on JSA, as I know I could not hold down a job (not at the moment anyway.)

 

Lilly

[hevvanoz]

Hi

I too am in same situation as you! I have been on ESA for 8 weeks and awaiting the next correspondence from them! Good Luck

[osdset]

Hi

 

I have been on ESA for 12 weeks, I sent in the ESA form mid December, but so far have not heard a thing, are they waiting to see if I get issued with another certificate due at the end of this month or just busy?

 

I did not send any medical evidence as I do not have any, only my GP and councillors name, as well as descriptions on how my illness effects me, I was honest and did not make anything up.

Not sure what I will do if they fail me, and put me back on JSA, as I know I could not hold down a job (not at the moment anyway.)

 

Lilly

Your assessment period is thirteen weeks, so you will not have heard anything yet, It was four months for me from submitting the form to getting the ATOS assessment.

[Feebee_71]

I would not worry as yet.

 

I have been on assessment rate ESA since last June and returned my ESA50 form to them at the beginning of September. I finally got a phone call last week with a date for my assessment appointment for the start of next month - though I may have to change the date as I have another appointment I've just been informed about that is the same day and, if I miss that, the next available one isn't until sometime in April!!

 

I have sent in medical certificates continuously - though they lost one in October and I only found out when my money didn't arrive (I got a duplicate from the GP and took it into the job centre the same day, they copied it and registered it as received on their system - the money arrived the following day) and my present one covers me until the middle of March.

 

In total, since submitting my form until the offered date of ATOS assessment, it's been 5 months!!

 

Feebee_71

[Lilly_Monroe]

Hi

 

I have been claiming ESA since Nov 7th sent ESA medical form in Dec 19th still waiting to be called for medical.

 

Do not expect to pass as my illness is depression along with some other problems - and how hard is this to prove, when people with cancer are being passed fit.

 

Although I shall appeal, because I simply know as does my GP and Councillor that I am not fit to work.

 

Couple of questions - how long before I get called for the medical

Should I pass - does my money get back dated from the day I started to claim, or to the end of the 13th week.

If I fail do I stay on the £67 a week whilst I appeal.

 

Any advice would be great.

 

Lily

[lee100]

Hi

 

I have been claiming ESA since Nov 7th sent ESA medical form in Dec 19th still waiting to be called for medical.

 

Do not expect to pass as my illness is depression along with some other problems - and how hard is this to prove, when people with cancer are being passed fit.

 

Although I shall appeal, because I simply know as does my GP and Councillor that I am not fit to work.

 

Couple of questions - how long before I get called for the medical - My medical was about two months after I sent the ESA50 form in.

 

Should I pass - does my money get back dated from the day I started to claim, or to the end of the 13th week. - Unsure. Someone will confirm this shortly.

 

If I fail do I stay on the £67 a week whilst I appeal. - Yes. You will still receive the £67 per week 'Assessment Rate' of ESA, while you appeal.

 

Any advice would be great.

 

Lily

 

Hi,

 

My answers are in bold.

 

Having been through the appeal process once before (am going through a second appeal as we speak), my best advice to you would be to expect to 'fail' the medical and focus on your appeal / gathering supporting evidence.

 

See Honeybee's helpful appeal advice thread here -

 

http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?251737-Appealing-or-going-to-a-Tribunal-Some-useful-information(3-Viewing)-nbsp

 

Hope this helps.

 

[Lilly_Monroe]

Hi,

 

My answers are in bold.

 

Having been through the appeal process once before (am going through a second appeal as we speak), my best advice to you would be to expect to 'fail' the medical and focus on your appeal / gathering supporting evidence.

 

See Honeybee's helpful appeal advice thread here -

 

http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?251737-Appealing-or-going-to-a-Tribunal-Some-useful-information(3-Viewing)-nbsp

 

Hope this helps.

 

 

 

Great help - thank you very much.

Yes, I am expecting to fail.

 

Lily

[lee100]

Apparently (I read on here), the DWP are clamping down on mental health issues (just what mentally ill people need).

 

ie - They will want to see at the Appeal stage, that you are proactively seeking / receiving treatment, be that therapy or something similar.

 

Focus on asking your GP / Therapist / specialists for a supporting letter, which states your condition / medication / treatment.

 

With representation (Ask for this NOW, from your local CAB / CLS), between 60 and 70% of people are winning their ESA Appeals.

 

All the best.

[lee100]

Great help - thank you very much.

Yes, I am expecting to fail.

 

Lily

 

You're welcome.

 

Don't let them stress you out. I appreciate that this is easier said than done!

 

It's all a waiting game, and we all have to play them at their own 'game' sadly, while trying to focus on getting well.

 

Good Luck.

[Lilly_Monroe]

Apparently (I read on here), the DWP are clamping down on mental health issues (just what mentally ill people need).

 

ie - They will want to see at the Appeal stage, that you are proactively seeking / receiving treatment, be that therapy or something similar.

 

Focus on asking your GP / Therapist / specialists for a supporting letter, which states your condition / medication / treatment.

 

With representation (Ask for this NOW, from your local CAB / CLS), between 60 and 70% of people are winning their ESA Appeals.

 

All the best.

 

 

I am receiving Counselling but it is not going well, they are talking of moving me over to a pshychtiarist (sp)!!

 

I have no one to help with the appeal if I manage to follow the help on here is it possible to go it alone.

I struggle to talk to strangers about my illness anyway.

 

Yes, I am worried sick the scare stories of what is being expected of people is beyond belief.

 

Lily

[lee100]

I am receiving Counselling but it is not going well, they are talking of moving me over to a pshychtiarist (sp)!!

 

I have no one to help with the appeal if I manage to follow the help on here is it possible to go it alone.

I struggle to talk to strangers about my illness anyway.

 

Yes, I am worried sick the scare stories of what is being expected of people is beyond belief.

 

Lily

 

Hi,

 

Sorry to read that your Counselling isn't going so well. As you are undoubtedly already aware, often these things are tougher before they get easier.

 

It is certainly possible to go it alone with the appeal, but I would advise asking the CAB for some help. That's what they are there for!

 

They will take the pressure off. They can help with preparing your appeal, and may even attend the hearing with you.

 

I know where you're coming from, regarding talking to strangers, but the CAB are there to help you.

 

The lady helping with my appeal at the CAB is lovely. She's a 'Community Legal Service Welfare Rights Advisor'. She will also attend my hearing with me, and I'm sure if you ask them, you'll be able to get some help too.

 

Not only will they take a load off, your chances of winning your appeal will increase from about 20% (going alone), to around 70% (with representation)!

 

[honeybee13]

Hello Lily.

 

I had/have mental problems and I can tell you that the best thing that happened to me was being sent to a psychiatrist at the local NHS Mental Health team. When people were giving me a hard time about being absolutely fine when I wasn't, she fought tooth and nail for me.

 

There was also team social workers who were very good too.

 

Yes, you can do it alone, but if you can get support from the CAB or Welfare Rights your job will be easier. If not, there's help here as you know. When I had my appeal and tribunal, I hadn't found CAG or the CAB or Welfare Rights. My OH was a great help and wrote the submission that is now the forum template for a tribunal, and we won .

 

HB x

[Lilly_Monroe]

Hello Lily.

 

I had/have mental problems and I can tell you that the best thing that happened to me was being sent to a psychiatrist at the local NHS Mental Health team. When people were giving me a hard time about being absolutely fine when I wasn't, she fought tooth and nail for me.

 

There was also team social workers who were very good too.

 

Yes, you can do it alone, but if you can get support from the CAB or Welfare Rights your job will be easier. If not, there's help here as you know. When I had my appeal and tribunal, I hadn't found CAG or the CAB or Welfare Rights. My OH was a great help and wrote the submission that is now the forum template for a tribunal, and we won .

 

HB x

 

Thanks HB I feel a bit better after that.

At the moment I am receiving cognitive therapy, but it is not working (sadly my issues go back donkeys years) whilst I was married I managed to keep them buried - but all the stress from losing my partner, my mum, my business in all 2 years have just taken its toll and I feel mentally and physically dead - also being 55 on JSA (as I was) was soul destroying, as no one wanted to offer me a job - I never even got replies from the countless applications = even my job centre wanted to pass me on to another area, as I was a blot on their books.

All goes to make you feel really good about yourself.

 

I have found a welfare rights in my area as well as a law centre which offers free help and specialises in benefits so, I will wait to first get the medical, and then go from there.

I think the CAB are absolutely stretched it is so hard to even get to see them - mind you the WR place only takes calls once a week between 2 and 4!

 

Anyway I shall try my best - as there is no other option open to me.

 

Thanks

Lily

[honeybee13]

Hello again.

 

CBT doesn't work for everybody, it made me worse. Just keep plodding on the way you are, one day at a time. It sounds as if you have quite a lot of help one way and another.

 

HB x

[Lilly_Monroe]

Hello again.

 

CBT doesn't work for everybody, it made me worse. Just keep plodding on the way you are, one day at a time. It sounds as if you have quite a lot of help one way and another.

 

HB x

 

Funny that HB - one day at a time has become my motto.

I am glad you said CBT does not work for everyone - I thought it was me.

I have problems writing down my day to day events (because often there aren't any) - I don't want to keep a diary also I have got passed that stage of achieving something and feeling good - these days I feel zilch.

I don't look at the positives as positives, they are just things that get done.

 

So I use all of my cups instead of washing the same one time and time again - I know I should not, but I do.

 

All in all I wonder how I got to 55 because at the moment breathing is a struggle.

 

Lily