What benefits can I claim?

[Kallmay]

Dear Amber I am on sick leave since May 2012 and I am receiving ESA contribution based since July 2013. What will happen to my ESA benefit when I resign from work? Will it be stopped?......What other benefits can I apply?.....I am still waiting for my PIP claim. Thank you.

[Amber]

Resigning shouldn't affect your C-ESA. If your partner is working full time it is unlikely you are entitled to much more than C-ESA, PIP and possibly a small amount of HB/CTB assuming there are no children.

[Kallmay]

ESA said that they will only pay me for a year as long as I am submitting medical certificate, what will happen after that?.......my husband is working full time and we don't have children.

[Amber]

Unfortunately, with C-ESA, unless you're in the 'support group' your C-ESA claim will cease after 12 months and only continue if you're entitled to IR-ESA which is means tested. As your partner is working full time, IR-ESA is unlikely. You should consider appealing your ESA group and seeing if you meet the requirements for the support group, consider specialist support.

[Kallmay]

Thank you so much Amber.

[Amber]

You have one month to appeal a decision since that has passed you should seek a review and see if you can meet the criteria for the support group. Contact a welfare rights caseworker.

[Kallmay]

My ESA-C will be finished in April 2014. How to apply for ESA support group? Shall I apply when my ESA-C finished?

[Amber]

You are currently in the work related activity group, you need to see whether you meet the necessary descriptors to be in the support group (see Appendix 2). If so, you need to see about a review and being moved over, seek advice from your local cab. If you do not move over and your husband continues to work, you'll lose entitlement to ESA.

[Kallmay]

Thank you so much for educating me about this ESA. I received an ESA50 form last August 2013....I filled it up and submitted on the same month but no result until now. Do you think the result will tell me if I'm accepted in a support group?

[Amber]

Yes, if you are not put in the support group or you are refused you should appeal within one month. You may find that you are refused ESA, if you go for a medical, which is likely, make sure you explain how you meet the descriptors I linked above. Make sure the medical practitioner understands this.

[Kallmay]

I will update you when I receive the result. Don't get tired of helping us please it means a lot. Thank you very much.

[Kallmay]

Hello Amber I just want to ask since I'm receiving ESA contribution based, am I free for nhs prescription? Because the pharmacist did not ask me to pay when I said I am on ESA benefit. I'm worried that I should pay but I did not pay. Thank you.

[Amber]

You are not in an exempt category as you are receiving C-ESA rather than IR(Income Related)-ESA thus should not have got free prescriptions. However, you may be able to get free prescriptions once you are awarded tax credits or if you apply for a low income scheme certificate.

[Kallmay]

Shall I go and return my payment to the pharmacy? I am afraid that there will be an effect when I apply naturalisation.

[Amber]

If they still have the script you can.

[Kallmay]

Thank you.

[Kallmay]

Hello I need an advice please...my ESA contribution based will refinished in April 2014 and no result yet from ESA50...what shall I do in April 2014 if still no result from ESA50 can I renew My ESA contribution based? Please help thank you.

[Amber]

C-ESA only continues after 12 months if you are put in the support group.

[Kallmay]

Thank you.

[Kallmay]

Hello Amber please advise...I am planning to resign from my work next week and I received a letter today that I put on ESA support group. Do you think there will be an effect in my ESA benefit when I resign from work? Thanks.

[Amber]

No and congratulations on getting in the support group.

[Kallmay]

Thank you...another questions...How long is Support Group? its not written in my award how long will I be in the support group. Do I need to continue submitting sicknotes to DWP?

[Amber]

You should no longer have to submit medical certificates. Your award will be until they next decide to review that can be anywhere from 3 months - 3 years.

[Kallmay]

I'm still waiting for my PIP claim...do you think I will still be granted for PIP eventhough I am already awarded ESA Support Group?

[Amber]

Yes you can apply for both you should be expecting an enhanced rate PIP if you've been put in the support group. You should write to PIP and explain you've been put in the support group due to high care and mobility needs it should support your case. You must ask for a reconsideration if you're not happy with the PIP award.