WRAG Interview result and ESA proposed new rules explanation

theresa4

Thank you to my pocket dwellers xx
Work related interview went ok, woman was nice.

She asked whaat my long term plan was for getting back to work, I said my long term plan is today. Tomorrow has a new plan and so on, in other words I cant plan future only day to day. Explained to her that this was upsetting and I am much happier taking one day at a time as if youre always striving for the light at the end of the tunnel but it keeps getting further away it makes you feel worse. If you strive for the day only that day can disappoint you, if you worked 6 months to get back into work only to be struck down back to square one it would make you feel much worse. Thats my take on it anyway.
Shes ringing me in December to see how Im getting on with my Work related activity of taking an interest in my hubby doing my old jobs and offering advice when possible. (what a joke) if I hadnt got a potential job to go back to I would have to study or do voluntary work to gain skills.

BAsically a waste of time effort, and my sis in laws time to escort me.

ESA contributions related:- if bill is passed it will not be given more than 12 months that includes any previous months before the bill.
For instance me
Worked for 23 years in high tax bracket paying immense amount of National insurance and Tax.
My husband has worked for 26 years same as me.

Get ill live on his wage, my dla and ESA.
New bill passes household income will be assessed and I will no longer qualify for any money. this regardless of the fact I have worked all my adult life prior to getting ill. This does not look at how we lived on two high incomes now to manage on one. we have a mortgage to pay and two kids still in further education, the business is not doing as well as itsconstruction and the recession hit us hard enough. Even on mu husbands lower income its still above their threshold for living but the mortgage is still high enough and all the bills especially now with colder weather Im terrified of putting the heating on. ESA isnt much but it still contributes, we had to learn to live on less and budget when I got ill now it seems we will have to do it again. I realise we are probably not the worst off with this decision but it is still going to be hard.

Theresa (off to sleep now Im exhausted)

kickyloo

Just wanted to say I'm in a similar place. It's scary & stressful. My husband earns a good wage (too much for income related ESA) but not enough to cover all our bills. The ESA just bridges the gap, it is essential to us.

There's no way I could hold down a job. I left a job I loved, was good at and well paid because they were about to sack me after being off sick for a year. But I know I'll never get awarded the support group. I don't know what to do. I feel stuck.

I think there are also many many others in a similar place. It's sad.

Nicky

traluvie

Am kind of in same boat..I am appealing against my ESA as they say i a fit for work..I have worked all my life so get it at the moment while partner is working, as ytou say that little bit helps...

What you said in your meeting was spot on... exactly how i would of explained it..

I don't really know what else to say.. hope it goes smoothly and sending ypou hugs (((((X)))))

theresa4

Thankyou NIcky and Tracy

I had to go to bed for a bit the pain is bordeering on unbearable today and I feel really sick. Still I manageed to stay fairly composed throughout the interview only sobbed once and soon stopped that off. I think its despicable the way this government is treating us. Did you know when youre child reaches 16 even if they are still attending school full time a Levels they are not classed as your dependants :shock: :shock: Its disgraceful how can they justify that. I was so angry about that in the interview my kids are not something to turf out at 16 they are still dependant on me especially if they want to continue education. Whats even more annoying is the legal school age has been changed to 18 ( i think its in the year after my kids ) so how can they consider them non dependant then? its a government led initiative you would think government departments would know this and allow for it

Sorry for the rant. My younger two kids are having it harder as we dont have the same income anymore due to my disability and they have to care for me as well.

traluvie

Theresa i didn't know that..
My eldest is 14 just starting her GCSE'S and is having to stay at school till 18.. so she will be classed as non dependant at 16?? that shocking.. she will be still at home in my care till she leaves school, doing all i can to support her..She is a great help to me and so is my 9 yr old son..They are the reason i try to keep smiling everyday..

Hope you feel a bit better soon luvie..(((((X)))))

elainebadknee

Theresa

It sounds like today went pretty well in as much as I mean she explained things very clearly but have no doubt you should not be in the wrag in first place...The study they talk about is LearnDirect who i went to and found it very basic and, well I didnt learn anything, other people may be able to, who knows? Voluntary may be okay but heck if you and your husband have worked all your life it doesnt seem right does it when you need help of the tiny amount ESA provides...
It sounds as if basically its going to be means tested, the household income? People such as yourself who have put into the state should not be treated like this...

Not sure what else to say...

Elainex

theresa4 wrote:

Thank you to my pocket dwellers xx
Work related interview went ok, woman was nice.

She asked whaat my long term plan was for getting back to work, I said my long term plan is today. Tomorrow has a new plan and so on, in other words I cant plan future only day to day. Explained to her that this was upsetting and I am much happier taking one day at a time as if youre always striving for the light at the end of the tunnel but it keeps getting further away it makes you feel worse. If you strive for the day only that day can disappoint you, if you worked 6 months to get back into work only to be struck down back to square one it would make you feel much worse. Thats my take on it anyway.
Shes ringing me in December to see how Im getting on with my Work related activity of taking an interest in my hubby doing my old jobs and offering advice when possible. (what a joke) if I hadnt got a potential job to go back to I would have to study or do voluntary work to gain skills.

BAsically a waste of time effort, and my sis in laws time to escort me.

ESA contributions related:- if bill is passed it will not be given more than 12 months that includes any previous months before the bill.
For instance me
Worked for 23 years in high tax bracket paying immense amount of National insurance and Tax.
My husband has worked for 26 years same as me.

Get ill live on his wage, my dla and ESA.
New bill passes household income will be assessed and I will no longer qualify for any money. this regardless of the fact I have worked all my adult life prior to getting ill. This does not look at how we lived on two high incomes now to manage on one. we have a mortgage to pay and two kids still in further education, the business is not doing as well as itsconstruction and the recession hit us hard enough. Even on mu husbands lower income its still above their threshold for living but the mortgage is still high enough and all the bills especially now with colder weather Im terrified of putting the heating on. ESA isnt much but it still contributes, we had to learn to live on less and budget when I got ill now it seems we will have to do it again. I realise we are probably not the worst off with this decision but it is still going to be hard.

Theresa (off to sleep now Im exhausted)

cacyhi

Oh Theresa, sorry to hear about your stressful day.
Its always about the money, isnt it?
It s not like getting an illness is a lifestyle choice is it?

My husband was made redundant just before my op so while he's been caring for me he hasnt been working - although I am getting paid at the moment, I worry if "recovery" doesnt go to plan, then what happens? He wasnt able to take a job he was offered a few weeks ago coz it meant working away ( which he has always done in the past) but Im not able to get around at all just yet and still have one youngster at home.

I think what you said about "taking it one day at a time" is great otherwise it would all become so overwhelming.