ESA new rules from April???

woodbon

I think I must have been living on another planet. Looking through the DwP site this afternoon about ESA as I have a medical on Wednesday, I realised that ESA is ending for all but the most severe cases, who go into the support group. I'm in the other group, so as from April, as I read it ESA will stop. Unless I get well enough to work or worse. I do have a small work pension, as work retired me sick and refused even retraining, or secretarial, which I'm trained for and my employers where the council.

What the heck are we supposed to do? I would love to go back to work, but my GP said I'm not to as I've tried before and got worse. Today I did a small amouint of housework and my neck and shoulder became so bad, I couldn't let my husband touch me and had to lie down for an hour with extra pain meds. I've worked all my life like most people, surely I diserve something I'd love to go to work, anything really, I've loads of ideas that I would like to do with the people I worked with but unless someone finds out I've got something they can cure, they won't have me.
Sorry to rant on but its a shock. Love Sue xxx

elainebadknee

Sue

I got sent a letter saying this bill is going through parliament and if this is put in place before April 2012 then if have been on contribution based ESA for a year, it stops from the date you first claimed it. It however says you may be eligible for income related ESA or other benefits....
Im hoping to have my knee replacement next year ealry on then when recovered, of course i want a job, just hope can find one, at moment its out of question as, well i cant think of anyone who would accomodate me, slow, unable to do lots of tasks i used to in previous jobs (filing, replacing ink cartriges in photocopiers, printers) run up n down stairs)...Then who would employ me...JOb centre staff last time i saw them in february for work advice and support (ha) said i could work somewhere, someone would employ me - its hard enough for anyone to get a job nowadays so me limited is not going to bode well...
Anyway, maybe my letter was early, you should get one too...And youre not ranting and even though you have small pension as you say and your gp has said you would get worse, well its scary aint it?

elainex

woodbon wrote:

I think I must have been living on another planet. Looking through the DwP site this afternoon about ESA as I have a medical on Wednesday, I realised that ESA is ending for all but the most severe cases, who go into the support group. I'm in the other group, so as from April, as I read it ESA will stop. Unless I get well enough to work or worse. I do have a small work pension, as work retired me sick and refused even retraining, or secretarial, which I'm trained for and my employers where the council.

What the heck are we supposed to do? I would love to go back to work, but my GP said I'm not to as I've tried before and got worse. Today I did a small amouint of housework and my neck and shoulder became so bad, I couldn't let my husband touch me and had to lie down for an hour with extra pain meds. I've worked all my life like most people, surely I diserve something I'd love to go to work, anything really, I've loads of ideas that I would like to do with the people I worked with but unless someone finds out I've got something they can cure, they won't have me.
Sorry to rant on but its a shock. Love Sue xxx

CJHunter

Hi Sue, I recieved the same letter from dwp, saying if you have been on cont based esa for a year it will stop in April if bill is passed. (why send the letter if it wasnt gonna be passed!?!)
Something about income support if fitted criteria.
They penalize u for working and becoming sick in this country, but if you never work....,well thats a can I shouldnt open!!
Sorry cant bring any happier news.
C.xx

skezier

Hi Sue,

they are very confident aren't they? I guess the bill will go through i don't know.....

i wish things were easier cus it seems wrong that so many are going to be clobbered just for a few that 'worked the system' and to abolish it all together seems to me to be taking people struggling with ill health and shoving them into the poverty trap....

i hope so much the bill fails but i don;t think it will less there is a revolt....

you hang in there and hope it will be ok for you on wednesday. be in your pocket flower. Cris xx

CJHunter

Hi Sue, soery to sound so down on whole ESA thing, just think it stinks.
Will be in yr pocket Wed too.

Take care
C xx

valval

to be honest it so they can claw back as much money as they can as we are borrowing money to send to those who need it abroad and we are paying interest on it so need to pay it off and those on sick are an easy target they can not leave you with nothing to live off but they will make you jump through hoops to get what little they will give. val

bertyboy

hi Sue i saw a guy at the job centre on wed i ask him about it and his thoughts were that if the bill came in it would effect the new esa claimers first not so much the long term ones and he was a really nice bloke , i know he has no real idea but he did say the disabillity orgs will be in uproar xx

theresa4

From what I read on the dwp website it says those on contribution based ESA will not be taken off but those whomhave not contributed will unless in support group. It's classed as fairer system so those who have paid in still get it. I think that's why younger claimants are likely to have problems. It's not fair either way noone asks to become disabled and too ill to work regardless of age (well normal people anyway not the liars who probably will still get something as they know the system). I haven't had a letter...yet... And just got my new ESA award.
I could be wrong Im a bit doped up on DHC again for pain so maybe take no notice.

Theresa x

woodbon

HI The language is so complicated, all DwP speak! I'll have another look today and maybe see if someone I know has an answer. Love Sue xxx

woodbon

I've read the letter again and the bill is at committee stage. How long it takes to go through that I don't know, but they will keep us informed. I've not been through the proper process when I first got my ESA. The person who was supposed to interview me only turned up twice and then said I was 'not well enough to be offerred any help'! He seemed to be very unsure about what he should be doing.
Luckily as their are 2 of us we could manage, just about, but would need to be very careful. This must be a very worrying time for people who have to rely on it. I know we have to be able to get the economy back in shape, but it seems cynical picking on one of the weakest groups - the sick. Love Sue xxx

theresa4

HI Sue
got my letter this morning and now I understand what you mean its not as clear as the website at all. We may or not get ESA after april it seems its so complicated its ridicuous. What it doesnt say is whether we move on to jobseekers after the year or not\? how confusing. I cant work wish I could but I cant. Neither could I attend the jobcentre every two weeks to sign on some weeks I cant leave the house due to joints, bowel or both!

I know it hasnt gone through yet but it is so worrying thanks government again for picking on easy targets.
My sis in law said today oh I know how you feel I go on jobseekers next year as my youngest is over 5!!!!!!!!!

I know she didnt end up a single mum by choice her hubby was a git but it is hardlycomparable withthe struggles we will go through she really has no idea.

Theresa