Employment Support Allowance

Sally C

Hi everyone...

From October (2008) single parents who have a health condition or disability and whose children were aged 12 and over were moved from Income Support onto an Employment and Support Allowance (ESA). Unfortunately, the Government realised at the end of August 2009 that there was not legislation to let this change take place. If you are a single parent and you were moved onto Employment and Support Allowance you should be moved back onto Income Support. If you have not been advised of this then please discuss with your Jobcentre Plus Adviser.

Has this happened to anyone here on One Space?

I'll find out as much info on ESA as poss and keep you updated on the latest news... Til then, if anyone has any concerns about ESA, or wants to share experience, please post up!

Thanks,
Sally C :)

Posted on: October 15, 2009 - 4:47pm

hazeleyes

Hi Sally
I've only just come across this post! Must put Louise's glasses on :geek: If I was on disability, would I still be moved from Income Support to JSA? My switch over takes place next October as my son is now 7.
Thanks in advance.
Take care
Alison
x :)

Posted on: November 11, 2009 - 10:04am

Sally C

Hi Alison - thanks for your post. Well, I wish I could give you a perfect answer, but I'm afraid I don't know (!) as the policy is very unclear. The government are trying to sort out the legalities of moving single parents from IS onto ESA, but until we have an answer from them I can't help much! I will of course post any news up here to keep everyone as up-to-date as poss.

What I can say is what happens to you next year depends on:
the type of benefit you are currently on
how long you have been claiming it
what the government do regarding the legalities of the switching single parents from IS to ESA

So, for example, the policy currently states that if someone is claiming Incapacity Benefit (IB) which is based on NI record and has been claiming from before 27.10.08, then they will be able to stay on IB if they are deemed eligible still.

OR, if you are a single parent and claiming IS related incapacity with disability premium, you will stay on this (if still deemed eligible) IF THE POLICY DOESN’T CHANGE/GET RESOLVED.

BUT, if the original policy IS resolved by the government next year before the next wave of transfers (youngest child 7-10), then single parents on Income Support with disability premium will be required to move on to JSA or ESA.

I hope this makes some sort of sense? I’m afraid it’s a wait and see sort of thing… but as I said One Space will aim to keep everyone up-to-date with latest policy news.

If you have any questions about ESA itself and how it works, feel free to ask!

Here is a link to some general info on ESA which might be of use to you:
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/FinancialSupport/esa/DG_171894

Hope this helps.

Sally C :)

Posted on: November 12, 2009 - 12:43pm

harissa

I have an appointment at the job centre next week regarding the ending of my Income Support in Mid-March.

I am absolutely dreading it as I know I will have great difficulty hearing or understanding the advisors. I am hearing impaired and rely on 2 hearing aids. No problem coping in small rooms but I cannot hear much at all in large open plan offices. I have had to request a "talk room" in advance for past WFIs. Invariably these rooms have broken equipment and no heating. Having just phoned the job centre to book the talk room, they've advised me that the room does not have computer access which is vital for this particular interview. They've said they'll see how I get on it the main office. I KNOW I cannot cope in that space and told them so!!

My last WFI was in mid-December and it was so awful that I have been ill ever since with heart palpitations, dizziness and constant pain and wekness. This is how my body responds to stress when my thyroid medication has failed. I have been unable to get an appointment with my own GP until mid-Februay, though I did get an urgent appointment with another GP in the practice 2 days ago. That GP told me I have to see my own GP and to take painkillers!!! So there is no way I can get the crucial doctor's letter signing me off so I can apply for Employment Support Allowance in time.

At present, I know I am unfit for work. All the extra stress which has been piled on me in the past few months has taken its toll and sometimes I feel pretty suicidal. For example, I've just had to take my son to the police station, where he was given a restorative caution and fingerprinted and DNAed. The policeman's office contained an air freshener to which I was allergic and I have had burning skin and eyes, chest pain and breathing difficulties ever since. I always suffer worse allergic reactions around Xmas and after because of the flashing lights, extra noise and all the extra scented products and people in public places. It sounds so pathetic and makes me feel so frustrated as it is difficult for me to live a normal life, let alone work in those environments.

The idea of being put on JSA and having to pretend that I'm OK or lose income, makes me want to die and I fear I will simply crack up altogether at the Job Centre interview. I really don't know what to do.

Posted on: January 15, 2010 - 3:46pm

hazeleyes

Hi harissa
I know from previous posts that this is a real worry for you, and stress alone brings on so many of the symptoms. That is an awful long time to wait for your own GP!!! Can you not ring the surgery and ask that the dr calls you?
Take care
Alison
x :)

Posted on: January 15, 2010 - 6:09pm

Louise

Parenting specialist

My own solution to doctor's surgery problems has always been to write a personal letter to my own doctor and explain what I need and that I have been unable to get an appointment to do it thorugh the usual channels. This usually works a treat; you could put the letter through the door over the weekend so it would be there when they open on Monday.

As for the interview, how about writing on a card about your problems and carrying this card in with you and if it all gets too much then hand the card to the worker? It would also be a good idea to take someone with you to the interview for support.

Posted on: January 16, 2010 - 7:54am

harissa

I'm going to try to ring the GP, though since the local GP centre has changed their phone to an automated system it could be tricky. Also, I have difficulty hearing/understanding my own GP's voice over the phone as he is very softly spoken. I wrote to him before and dropped the letter in at reception only to find out later that he'd never received it.

Boy, did I cheer up this morning when I got to tick all the negative boxes on a national local GP survey which dropped though my letterbox!! Doing the survey made me realise that a lot of my frustration stems from feeling powerless and ignored, watching the best years of my life slip away and not being well enough to do the things I want to do or need to do before it is too late. Hmm, mid-life crisis!

I left a message with the local RNID asking for advice re the job centre's lack of accommodation for hearing-impaired customers. As a member of a deaf forum, I learnt that my experience is common across the country.

My older son's Xmas job came to an end and he is now back to signing on. This year he's finding each signing on session, including waiting time, is around the 2 hours mark. My cousin's wife has also been made redundant recently and signs on at the same office. I gather that she is now on antidepressants and cries for hours after each trip there (so its not just me then). The last time she was kept waiting for 3 hours and was unable to collect her 2 young children from school. Her previous job managed to fit in OK with school hours but the fact that she is unable to fit her other life-demands around the jobcentre's attendance times has led the job centre to insinuate that she is unavailable for work. To think that a 2-parent family with the support of a granny is having a similarly stressful time has put things into stark perpective. I really suspect that women, both single and married mums, are being bullied into giving up their claims for jobseeker's allowance.

Posted on: January 16, 2010 - 12:37pm

hazeleyes

Hi Harissa
Like Louise I have also written to my Doctor. I don't give it to the receptionist, I actually put mine through the Doctor's door. Then I can be assured that she has received it. I don't trust any doctor's receptionists I have to say.
:)

Posted on: January 16, 2010 - 3:26pm

Louise

Parenting specialist

I agree, harissa, the situation is getting more desperate. I spent a lot of time at the local Job Centre last year with my friend. I went thinking well I know it will be difficult but these people are only doing their job. I have to say I was annoyed by their attitude, especially when they ask what you have applied for and you say, truthfully that there has been not a single suitable job to apply for.

Good luck with getting the GP letter organised

Posted on: January 17, 2010 - 10:21am

sparklinglime

Good luck from me too.

Posted on: January 17, 2010 - 4:51pm

harissa

Back from my GP appointment, with NO LETTER! GP didn't understand why the jobcentre needs one so he's told me to tell them to phone him. I feel the usual being given the run-around situation coming on. :o(

Posted on: January 27, 2010 - 6:27pm

sparklinglime

It makes you wonder what good it would be the Job Centre phoning a GP. I'd have thought that with patient confidentiallity that nothing could be discussed anyway...

I hope it's something that can be sorted easily harissa.

Posted on: January 28, 2010 - 12:37am

harissa

Had my job centre appointment this morning - with a nice advisor who remembered me from a few years back and knows how positive and motivated to get a job I used to be. She instantly recognised that all was not right and knew that I wasn't putting on the agony. That had been one of the biggest barriers as it is very hard to be believed if you have invisible disabilities.

She set in motion my claim for ESA, putting down "anxiety" as the reason, and explained that I simply need to get a plain Sick Note from the GP when my Income Support ends in March. I have to send this with my details in a pre-addressed envelope. At some point I will have to be assessed by the ESA people as well.

The curious thing was the building was very fumey and I began to feel quite ill there. This had happened last time too. In fact ALL newly renovated or redecorated buildings affects me. I think it is something to do with the glue or the backing material or flame retardant used in standard office carpeting these days. Apparently the job centre staff themselves are concerned about the smell, though it obviously doesn't affect them as severely as it affects me otherwise they would all be on sick leave.

Posted on: January 28, 2010 - 3:18pm

hazeleyes

Have to agree with Sparkling. Anyhow, even if the jobcentre does ring the GP, what happens if he/she is with a patient? The jobcentre will be told it's not convenient etc etc, so the whole thing is totally useless for you harissa.

How's your son doing now? Hope everything is settling down a bit for you

Take care

Alison

Posted on: January 28, 2010 - 3:21pm

Louise

Parenting specialist

Hi harissa

Glad you have managed to get a better outcome than anticipated from your appointment. The fumes sound horrible and I am surprised there aren't more complaints. At least now if someone is treating you decently then you might get somewhere, let's hope!!!!

Posted on: January 28, 2010 - 3:38pm

sparklinglime

I'm relieved that the meeting sounds a bit more hopeful harissa.

Posted on: January 29, 2010 - 2:20pm

harissa

Having a bit of a panic at the moment as my income support ends on 17th March and everything hinges on my GP writing a sicknote on the 15th.

From past bureaucratic cock-ups, I have a horrible feeling that we'll be left with no income for a period. If this were to happen, can anyone recommend a means of obtaining free food so at least I can keep my son fed? Also, how many months grace are utility companies obliged to give a customer who is incapable of paying a bill, before they cut off services and call in debt-collection agencies? Currently I am up to date with everything and have a good payment record which should go in my favour should everything go pear-shaped..

Posted on: March 6, 2010 - 4:50pm

Louise

Parenting specialist

I don't know the definitive answers to your questions, harissa. However, it is certainly worth saying that if you anticipate problems with payment for utilities then contact them promptly and explain. they are much more likely to be patient when they know the reasons, rather than having only silence from your end.

Re food, I don't know if it is the same in your area but here there is a very little known about Emergency Payment system. Sometimes people get cash from the benefits Agency and sometimes the social worker section of your council can give vouchers for supermarkets. If none of this is available, then the best people to approach are the Salvation Army as they do food parcels.

One comment I would like to make is to suggest that anyone with no rainy day money who would literally go hungry if there was a mess up re benefits would do well to look at opening an account with a local Credit Union and just putting away £1 when they can. You are then a member and can get a small loan in an emergency. See http://www.abcul.org/page/members.cfm

Posted on: March 6, 2010 - 4:59pm

Anna

Parenting specialist

Hi harissa

This sounds a bit worrying for you. If you Google 'Welfare Rights' and then the name of your area, you should be able to find a Benefits Enquiry telephone number or an email page where you should be able to get the information, support and answers that you are looking for.

Please get back to us Harissa and let us know if you get the answers you need from here.

Posted on: March 8, 2010 - 11:47am