Help Please :( - very worried and stuck

Hi

I am really worried as my DLA is due for renewal/swapped over to the new benefit and I have also had a letter about my income support being moved to the new benefit.

It's really getting me down and have no idea where to start - I am expecting a telephone call over the next two weeks and am dreading it.

I'd be really grateful if someone could please help me and set me on the right path - losing my benefits would make it impossible for us to survive as there is no way I could work.

Thank you.

Nicola

niki_s_uk wrote: Hi

I am really worried as my DLA is due for renewal/swapped over to the new benefit and I have also had a letter about my income support being moved to the new benefit.

It's really getting me down and have no idea where to start - I am expecting a telephone call over the next two weeks and am dreading it.

I'd be really grateful if someone could please help me and set me on the right path - losing my benefits would make it impossible for us to survive as there is no way I could work.

Thank you.

Nicola

Hi nsuk,

Are you sure that your DLA renewal is being assessed under PIP criteria, as claimants whose fixed term DLA awards run out before the 24 February 2014, should be assessed under DLA criteria, and that only comes into force after October this year.

Can I also assume that you have received a letter telling you that your IS is being transferred over to ESA ?

Once you have answered the above, we can crack on.

bro58

Hi Bro58

Thank you for your reply.

I have received new forms to be re-assessed and they look very much like the initial forms - I just assumed it would be to the new benefit as I didn't know that there was to be a cut off date and my renewal is the beginning of October.

The Incapacity Benefit is definitely being moved to the new ESA and that is what I am expecting a telephone call about over the next fortnight - but have no idea what to expect etc.

I currently receive middle rate care and higher rate mobility of DLA.

I hope that helps?

Thanks
Nic

Sorry Bro58 I made a mistake on the inital posting - I am currently in Incapacity Benefit not Income Support - I was employed up until Jul 2010 when I was dismissed on capability grounds.

niki_s_uk wrote: Hi Bro58

Thank you for your reply.

I have received new forms to be re-assessed and they look very much like the initial forms - I just assumed it would be to the new benefit as I didn't know that there was to be a cut off date and my renewal is the beginning of October.

The Incapacity Benefit is definitely being moved to the new ESA and that is what I am expecting a telephone call about over the next fortnight - but have no idea what to expect etc.

I currently receive middle rate care and higher rate mobility of DLA.

I hope that helps?

Thanks
Nic

O.K. nsuk,

Welcome to Benefits and Work

Therefore, your DLA renewal will be assessed under DLA criteria once more.

There is a guide entitled "DLA Changes and Renewals

Disability Living Allowance Renewal Claims"

On this page :

DLA Guides

Which should help.

You should also refer to the guides on the top two links under the haeding "DLA renewals from 10 June 20132 on the same page to help with filling in your form.

You should also have a read through our : DLA FAQ’s

Now for the ESA :

All recipients are being transferred over from IB, IS or SDA this has been going on since March 2011, and due to be completed by Spring 2014.

All of the above will have to be assessed under The ESA Work Capability Assessment. (WCA)

Have a read through this document :

"Being transferred from incapacity benefit to employment and support allowance. A 22 page guide to the transfer process."

At the top of this page :

ESA Claims Guides

As you will see you first receive a letter, then a phone call, (which you don't have to take) then the ESA50 Questionnaire.

If you have received the ESA50 Questionnaire, then you must fill it in and return it to ATOS by the deadline given.

You may wish to consider :

Using The PDF Version Of The ESA50 Questionnaire

Whilst referring to the ESA Claims Guides under the heading :

"New ESA50 form"

On the same page as above :

ESA Claims Guides

See also :

How long do I have to complete the ESA50?

ESA50 too big for the envelope

&

Sending Documents to the DWP or ATOS

It may also help, if you read through our :

IB, IS, SDA, Migration to ESA FAQ’s

And our :

ESA FAQ’s

It may seem a lot to take in, so you might wish to Favourite/Bookmark this page, so that you can revisit it easily.

You can then pose any further queries, as and when they crop up by replying to the topic.

bro58

Hi Bro58

Thank you very much for your help - I have lots of reading to do, just hope it sinks in.

Nic