ESA and the benefits reform bill

theresa4

Hi
Wondered if anyone knows whats happening with this as Im getting increasingly worried. At the minute my ESA (contribution based) is my money to spend on what I like generally it goes into the family budget but its my decision.If the reforms are passed I will have to ask my hubby for any money I need or want!! and as times are hard at the minute its unlikely he will be able togive me anything. Not only does that strip me of my independance and dignity but also puts a strain on our relationship. Its unlikely we will meet their threshold for poverty but his income is very variable as its our own business. We have an enormous mortgage but did have a property with a little equity which we are in the process of selling (It was our pension plan :x). After paying off some debts there will be little left but Im not sure if they take this into account either??? Its all questions with no answers.
My ESA advisor at the benefits office said I need to appeal t go into the support group (my review is due in July) Ive been off work for 3 years now SSP then ESA. Their idea that I should be back in work after 12 months is a joke. I would love to be back in work but even typing this short piece hurts and Im taking my time doing it. Some days I think yes I could work I do more and then several days/weeks I suffer for my extra activity. I fall, have toilet accidents, get infections easily and regularly. I dont sleep well and often need a nap midday through exhaustion. Even good days I have pain, just copable pain. How on earth am I going to manage and with no money for the good days where I might go meet a friend for a coffee or manage a couple of hours with my granddaughter. (and boy do I pay for these little things the days following...) my social life is going to be zero I might as well not be here do they realise this is the impact of their decisions or are they wanting us to just give up and dissapear?...
sorry wasntmeant to be a rant ot whine IM just so concerned at how this is going to impact me my relationship :x and others..

Theresa

theresa4

and what do you know Ive just had a phonecall to tell me if my partner works full time Im not entitled to claim income related ESA and my benefit will stop from 30th April this year. Thats just great made my day Im no longer worthy of any money regardless of the fact Ive worked all my life til RA.
A very upset and devalued Theresa

traluvie

I like you am worried..
My partner works full time, so i will probably loose mine too and we struggle now after me loosing my job, this will just make things even harder..
Not the best news..((()))

CJHunter

This is a scary situation for many of us to be in. Is there anyway we could do a joint campaign with A.C backing to get our point accross??

theresa4

Same here traluvie

Clare it wouldnt do any good I followed some of the parliament news and read the debates they werent interested in how it affected us realy despite people trying to raise issues such as those of us who had been on ESA contricubution based for over 12 months with no luck or hope of getting work as really cant work. the answer was those who are really too ill to work will be in support group which is unnafected. we can hardly get into the support group when youre lucky to get into contribution based at present look at all the appeals!!

Am feeling very down today and pretty worthless my future looks bleak enough without worrying about even further financial difficulty.

Theresa

RichT

I am in the same boat These reforms are with out doubt going to cause many of us some severe problems as you say, I am off sick at the moment and I am still unsure whether I will be able to go back to work, my wife also works 30hrs a week and I was told by a CAB advisor on Monday that the ESA (cont) only lasts a year and then I will not be entitled to anything :shock: these are certainly worrying and stressful times for anyone unfortunate to be disabled :?

dee2010

Hi all I had a phone.call to saying I will loss my ESA in April too. The problem for me is I have a 700 pound mortgage and normal bills that come with living and we just about live as my partner has to help care for me and my son. I am on crutches and can't do a lot at all. We struggle with covering bills, food and clothes ect.....
In April because my partner only works 22 hours a week we will loss working tax credits about £50 a wk then ESA which is nearly £600 a month.

I'm not trying to be rude Theresa but yes you may loss your social life but I may loss my house and any independent I have so my partner can work more to cover bills.
Yes its my disstion to buy a house but I was doing it so I had something for retirement but now I don't know if I will have it by the summer.

U know everyone will be effected and I'm sorry.

theresa4

Davina
My mortgge is 1200 a month and I have 4 kids so am aware how hard it is to survive too and we still risk losing our home too mif it wasnt mortgaged to the hilt the bank would have already taken it for the business debts.
As for losing my social life I cant say a coffee with a friedn is truly social but more a lifeline |I already feel like topping myself especially days like today when Im in so much pain I cant walk or dress myself and am drugges on pain relief I have little life as such and feel whats the point so please dont think Im being rude when I say that comment you made was quite hurtful an unnessacessary you could have made youre point about how it affects you withput directing it at me!

Theresa

dee2010

ok thersa didn't mean to hurt your feelings just the way you said about your social life and just coping after the esa stops to me seamed like you was just saying at 1 point you won't have 1.

i am sorry

i just don't understand why the gov are doing this, i have been crying all day knowing i am going to have such a hard time of it, (not that most of us haven't already)!!!! and have to move ect...
i didn't mean to upset anyone just wanted to put my point across
x

valval

please try to remember that when in pain what we write might not be what we ment we need to help each other and suport each other all we can val

tkachev

The only thing I can say Theresa is for you to take a small salary from the business to maximise your untaxed income. I expect your husband takes a salary so maybe he can cut his a bit so the business still has the same amount taken out overall. This is just an idea because I know how awful it is not to have any money in a relationship. Do you still get child benefit for any of your children?

I have been keeping an eye on the benefit situation and so any people are in a similar predicament. It is heartbreaking.

Elizabeth x

tkachev

I have had a look online. If your appeal is successful for support group your payments will resume. You continue to get esa at assessment rate while the appeal is being looked at. If this fails your option is to go on JSA but of course you would probably be considered as too unwell to actively look for work.

Would you qualify for Working tax credits?

Elizabeth x

barbara12

Hi theresa
Sorry I cant help with any advice, but I just want you to know we are always here for you, its awful how you have to worry like this, I hope it all works out ok.xx

penfactor

Hi Teresa
I'm just sending ((hugs))) and I am in similar situation. I also worked all my life until I was forced to leave work about the same time as you so I am just waiting for that phone call too. I agree that it is probably not going to be possible for us to be put into the support group.
My partner is working full time time at the moment & my lovely son is just trying to help me get set up with something internet based but this will take ages to make any real money. I too, am terrified of losing that little bit of independence. My condition, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome with early onset osteo arthritis means my body is deteriorating gradually & I can no longer go out on my own at all in case my knee dislocates.
All I can say is we are all here for each other & understand what each of us is going through
Gentle (((hugs))) & also to all others in same position
Pennie XXX