IB TO ESA

Hi bro58

My husband did not have a medical.

When i received the letter i was totally confused because it said we were eligible for contribution and income related esa. I contacted them and asked them and there reply was that it was a standard letter and not to worry. I asked about the dates and they said it was the 13 week assessment what ever that means. Because i was asking so many questions he turned around and told me not to add more coal onto the fire what ever that means?
The whole process from start to finish as been so stressful, i don't know whether to leave the decision they made to put him into the WRAG or to appeal for the support but i feel there is more needy people than my husband who need to be put into the support group
My husband suffers with epilepsy, psychogenic seizures, depression and other underline health issues.

regards

Mrs Hurtyback wrote:

That is really helpful, thanks bro!

Hi MHB,

Feel free to use "The Greeting" if you wish.

It starts at "As it appears".

Of course, you can personalise, alter, add or subtract as you wish.

Cheers.

bro58

Hi bro58

Me again sorry. I am in receipt of CA so do i have to go through with the WFI's?
We are also in receipt of the carers premium i don't know if it is me or my hubby, so does that mean he doesn't have to go through with the WFI's? I did ask when i phoned but they didn't know. Sorry to be a pain, just need to get my head around all this.

regards

snugglesxxx65 wrote:

Hi bro58

My husband did not have a medical.

When i received the letter i was totally confused because it said we were eligible for contribution and income related esa. I contacted them and asked them and there reply was that it was a standard letter and not to worry. I asked about the dates and they said it was the 13 week assessment what ever that means. Because i was asking so many questions he turned around and told me not to add more coal onto the fire what ever that means?
The whole process from start to finish as been so stressful, i don't know whether to leave the decision they made to put him into the WRAG or to appeal for the support but i feel there is more needy people than my husband who need to be put into the support group
My husband suffers with epilepsy, psychogenic seizures, depression and other underline health issues.

regards

Hi s65,

It is entirely possible that your husband is entitled to both Contributary ESA, and Income Related ESA.

This would be similar to a claimant being paid the old Incapacity Benefit, with an Income Support top-up.

This could be due to the fact that the claimant was also in receipt of Middle or Higher Rate Care Component DLA, so is therefore entitled to "Premiums" in the form of IS with IB, or IR ESA with CB ESA.

There may be other reasons also.

If your husband is in receipt of Income Related ESA as well as CB ESA there is no 365 day limit on his entitlement to payment, therefore payments will remain in place as long as he is entitled to IR ESA.

With regards to the length of your husband's current WRAG award, the only way to find out is to request copy of the ESA85A, as he did not have a "Medical".

This will only be sent to you if you request it, and can be verbally requested over the phone.

I would strongly advise that you back up this verbal request in writing, keeping a copy.

You may also wish to request any other documentation used in coming to the WRAG decision, at the same time.

This may or may not include an ESA113, MED3, etc.

With regards to your husband gaining entry to the SG by appealing, have a read of the "Qualifying for the Support Group" link that I provided, and all the FAQ's in the "Appeals FAQ'S" link also provided.

If you still have doubts you may wish to seek face to face advice, see :

Where to get advice?

Hope this helps.

bro58

snugglesxxx65 wrote:

Hi bro58

Me again sorry. I am in receipt of CA so do i have to go through with the WFI's?
We are also in receipt of the carers premium i don't know if it is me or my hubby, so does that mean he doesn't have to go through with the WFI's? I did ask when i phoned but they didn't know. Sorry to be a pain, just need to get my head around all this.

regards

Hi s65,

As you will see from this extract :

Specifically with regard to Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), members of the Work Related Activity Group are required to attend WFIs, with the following exceptions;

•members of the Support Group

•lone parents with a child under 5

•ESA claimants who also receive Carers Allowance or the Carers Premium

From this link :

Work Focussed Interviews

ESA Claimants in receipt of Carers Allowance or The Carers Premium, are exempt from having to attend WFI's or WRA.

bro58

hi bro58

esa claimants that means my husband? CA is in my name because hubby on middle rate care, so he would not be exempt on that? Carers premium is that paid to me or my hubby, i don't know, if its my husband that would make him exempt?
Really sorry to sound thick.

regards