Employment & Support Allowance (Contribution Based)

[tomthecat]

Hi

 

I please need some advice if possible.

 

Last Saturday I received a letter from the Jobcentreplus stating my Employment & Support Allowance Contribution Based (ESA - C) has been stopped due to the 365 day limit. I started receiving this benefit last December after switching from Incapacity Benefit.

 

My query is this.

 

This is the first time I have heard this benefit has been stopped. Is there some kind of notice period? I haven't received ANY notification that the benefit is going to stop, it has simply stopped! It couldn't have happened at a worse time as the kid's are going back to school next week, all my Direct Debits are due and we need food shopping. I am having to sell an old car I had on the drive which I was keeping for when I return to work just to survive the next couple of weeks.

 

After speaking with the Jobcentre they said they would send form ESA 3? No indication as to what this is. Is it a reassessment form does anyone know? Do I need any Dr's certificates or anything like that? What a mess.

 

Also my wife is thinking of claiming Carer's Allowance for my Father. Does anyone know if Carer's Allowance will affect my Claim for ESA Income related?

 

Thanks.

 

Tom

[honeybee13]

Hello and welcome to CAG.

 

I'm not one of the forum experts, but I think this could be connected with income-based ESA and I have a feeling that it's paid for 365 days now before you're switched over. You could check that on the directgov website.

 

But I agree they shouldn't have just left you. I expect the guys will have helpful comments for you, but it might be worth another call to JCP when you have a bit more information.

 

My best, HB

[honeybee13]

Here's a quote from Directgov.

 

The government has limited the period for which contribution-based Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) can be paid in some circumstances. These changes came into effect on 1 May 2012. Claimants who have already received 365 days of contribution-based ESA saw their entitlement end on 30 April 2012.

What are the changes?

 

Welfare Reform Act

 

These changes are part of the Welfare Reform Act and started on 1 May 2012

 

 

The changes will:

 

• limit the amount of time people in the Work-Related Activity Group (ie those not in the Support Group) can receive contribution-based Employment Support Allowance to 365 days, and
  
• remove the special contribution condition and prevent any new claims for ESA on grounds of youth.
  

And this:

What do I need to do?

 

If you are receiving contribution-based Employment and Support Allowance and your benefit is time-limited you may be able to get income-related Employment Support Allowance. This will depend on your income and savings. The DWP will tell you how to be assessed for this when it contacts you to tell you that your benefit is ending. If you qualify for this it will be paid as soon as your contribution-based benefit ends.

Depending on your circumstances you may be entitled to other benefits. For benefit advice, please follow the link below to use the online benefits adviser service.

 

 

• Benefits adviser service
  

I don't know if that's any help to you.

HB

[tomthecat]

Hi honeybee13

 

Thanks for the information. It all helps. It seems to be a case where I can change to ESA Income related. It's so darn frustrating that they can just stop all income without any notice lol. If I had known maybe I could have applied for the other benefit earlier.

 

Anyway I appreciate your time and effort in helping me. Also I noticed on their website that if my wife were to work more than 24 hours I am unable to claim ESA Income related. Do you or anybody else know if she were to claim Carer's Allowance would that count as working or working the 24hrs needed to disqualify my claim for ESA Income Related? Dam, benefits are soooo confusing! All being good very early next year I will be back in work again, thank goodness.

 

Regards

 

Tom

[abc123def]

If someone claims carers allowance that makes them eligible to claim income support - if that helps

[honeybee13]

Good point, abc.

 

You could also try this benefits calculator as well as the DWP link.

 

http://www.turn2us.org.uk/benefits_search.aspx

 

Information is your friend...

 

HB

[estellyn]

If your wife was to receive carer's allowance, they would reduce the Income based ESA by the amount of the carer's allowance, and then add an additional amount called a carer's premium onto your ESA - so you end up with a net gain.

[tomthecat]

Ok great.

 

Thanks for all the information it is much appreciated.

 

I did have an answer that may also help on this forum. My question about whether Carer's Allowance will count as the 24 hours work my wife can do whilst claiming ESA (Income Related) is no. You can Claim Carer's Allowance and it doesn't effect the 24 hour rule.

 

As the last poster said though there's an upside and downside but the upside seems better!

 

Thanks again.

 

Tom

[abc123def]

She just needs to be caring for 35 hours. All income when working needs to be declared to the DWP no matter how many hours she works. It will affect how much she receives in ESA.

[MIKEY DABODEE]

If you claim ESA IB and your wifes claims CA and she does some partime work, true she can earn up to £100 and still claim the CA,

 

but as abc123def has said her earnings from that part time work will be taken in pound for pound against your ESA after a twenty pound disregard has been applied.

So eg your wife earns £80 then £60 would be deducted from your ESA..

 

CA is grounds for I.S but the same rules apply in relation to part time earnings

 

 

(abc123def love you avatar makes me smile everytime I see it)

[abc123def]

(abc123def love you avatar makes me smile everytime I see it)

 

aw ta; had my hair done specially

[MIKEY DABODEE]

tis funny