ESA, lost job, total confusion, please help

[Jeffers123]

Hi there,

I have recently lost my job as my health has been going downhill for sometime.

I am being tested for and it seems likely I have, Chronic Fatigue.

 

The GP has advised that I work one day max per week,

I have been to the jobcentre and spoken several times to Benefit Advisors on the phone and they eventually decided I need to apply for ESA cont based,

 

this has been turned down as I was only in my job a year and a half and the years they use to calculate contributions I was off work caring for my Mum.

Had I claimed next Jan it would have been different.

 

My husband has a long term mental illness and received cont based ESA (just swapping to PIP) they’re moving him to the work based group although everyone knows he is way to ill to work and his GP has written a letter to that effect.

 

Benefits have told me I need to be added to my husband’s ESA but it will need to be changed to income based,

does anyone know if this is a bad move for us?

I.e what will the difference be not just financially but in other ways?

 

I will be earning around £40-£90 per week,

does anyone know if there’s a maximum amount I can earn ?

Any advice is very much appreciated.

 

Oh, I meant to say,

my son claims Carers Allowance for my husband.

Apologies for typos- I’ve mislaid my specs!

Many thanks

[honeybee13]

Hello there.

 

Hopefully people will be along over the course of the day with advice for you.

 

One thing you could try is to input your details [anonymously] into a benefits calculator. This is a good one, there are others.

 

https://www.entitledto.co.uk/

 

HB

[Jeffers123]

Thank you I will try it again and see what it comes up. Interestingly a lady that used to run the local ESA dept said that people will soon be moved onto JSA instead of ESA if they are able to do even one hour’s work a week (In a specific group) but that it’s not widely known yet. . Hear so much conflicting stuff!!

[Jeffers123]

Well I’m even more confused now as the calculator says I’m entitled to income based ESA of 94.85 per week, I was told I have to go onto my husband’s claim (he would need to go from cont based to income based and claim as a couple.

[reallymadwoman]

I believe your husband can continue to claim contributory-based ESA as well as income based, the income based will just deduct the contributory amount. I believe also that income-based benefits have to be claimed as a couple, you can't claim as an individual.

[Jeffers123]

Thank you, I did ask that but they said no, hoboism is looking inviting

[Jeffers123]

I can’t seem to find anything out. Maybe I should just apply for JSA and then apply for contribution based ESA next January?