Having been on incapacity benefit for several years I was concerned that I wouldn't meet the new criteria for the ESA and would be 'failed' at my recent medical. I'm pleased that they have decided that I do qualify. I knew I didn't have a severe enough condition to be put in the support group so this result is the best I could have hoped for and I'm relieved I don't have to go through the stress of an appeal. The guides on this site have been invaluable in helping with my claim so thank you and also a big thanks to the people who run this forum as it's also helped a lot. I am a bit concerned that I'll be pressured into inappropriate or unhelpful 'condition managing' or retraining but I will research the law and other people's experiences on here. I do want to return to work in the future, I just don't know when I will be able to and I know only certain jobs and hours will be appropriate with my illness.

ShootingStar wrote:

Having been on incapacity benefit for several years I was concerned that I wouldn't meet the new criteria for the ESA and would be 'failed' at my recent medical. I'm pleased that they have decided that I do qualify. I knew I didn't have a severe enough condition to be put in the support group so this result is the best I could have hoped for and I'm relieved I don't have to go through the stress of an appeal. The guides on this site have been invaluable in helping with my claim so thank you and also a big thanks to the people who run this forum as it's also helped a lot. I am a bit concerned that I'll be pressured into inappropriate or unhelpful 'condition managing' or retraining but I will research the law and other people's experiences on here. I do want to return to work in the future, I just don't know when I will be able to and I know only certain jobs and hours will be appropriate with my illness.

Hi SS,

Thanks for letting us know.

As you were in receipt of Incapacity Benefit, that means that you should be transferred to Contributary ESA ( in the WRAG).

Just to make sure that you are aware of the following, if you are in receipt of Contributary ESA in the WRAG :

12 Month Limit for ESA(CB) Updated 10/03/12

12 Month Limit for ESA(CB) – Implementation New

See also :

Work Focussed Interviews

&

Work Programme

bro58

Thanks Bro, I say I was on incapacity benefit but I was actually on income support due to incapacity as I didn't have enough NI contributions to qualify for incapacity benefit itself. Therefore as far as I know I'm on income based ESA and therefore not subjected to the time limit. Again it seems those who have paid more into the system are being penalised which is unfair.

ShootingStar wrote:

Thanks Bro, I say I was on incapacity benefit but I was actually on income support due to incapacity as I didn't have enough NI contributions to qualify for incapacity benefit itself. Therefore as far as I know I'm on income based ESA and therefore not subjected to the time limit. Again it seems those who have paid more into the system are being penalised which is unfair.

O.K. SS.

In that case, if your savings, assets, personal circumstances, etc, haven't changed, then indeed you would be transferred to IR ESA.

There is no 365 day time limit for receipt of IR ESA.

Cheers.

bro58