Hi

With the help of this site and the WCA handbook, together with outside support, I got in to the Support Group without a medical.
This has made me feel as if a good force has pulled me away from the 'cliff-edge' that I felt I had been hainging off.
My friend phoned up to ask how long I would be in the SG and was told eighteen months, and that I would receive a letter in 12 months.

I have two questions please:

1. Why are they sending me a letter in 12 months if my reassessment is not due for 18 months.

2. I will be on contribution based ESA, and wish to know, would I be eligible for mortgage interest relief?

Many thanks

Dandelion

I cannot see any reason for the DWP to contact you after 12 months, a new ESA50 is usually issued about two months in advance of the re-assessment date, perhaps they thought you are subject to the 365 day limit, which you are not.

Mortgage Interest assistance is only available if you receive an Income Related benefit such as ESA(IR). You may be eligible for ESA(IR) as a top up to your existing ESA(CB) payments as you are, in principle, now eligible for the Enhanced Disability Premium. Your eligibility for ESA(IR) will depend on your household income, assets and savings and any hours that a partner works.

Asset rule for ESA(IR)

24 hour work rule for ESA(IR)

If you believe that you qualify, you should contact the DWP office that deals with your ESA and request an ESA3.

Gordon

I am very pleased you find the site so helpful. You will be sent your next form well in advance of when your current claim ends to give you plenty of time to fill it in and be sent for a medical if necessary. I am afraid I cannot answer your second question however another moderator may well be looking into that for you.

Hi Gordon and Puccalove

Sorry this reply is late, every time these forums are open, I kept forgetting to come in here and post.

Thank you very much for your replies.
I forgot I had posted this, as I have been suffering anxiety and when I get anxious my memory goes, even for important things.

I appreciate all the help you have given me, and am reassured regarding the 365day rule. I would like to ask some more questions if that is ok?

1) What do they mean by assets. I have been a homeowner since 2000.

2) I just read some posts on here from over a year back, regarding problems obtaining form ESA3, due to the DWP not stocking many. Is it still really awkward to obtain a form ESA3?

Many Thanks

Dandelion

As a general rule the house you live in, your primary residence to be exact, is not counted as an asset in regard to Income Related Benefits. For completeness, if you own a house but do not live in it or own other properties, then they will likely be treated as assets.

As far as I am aware there should be no problem in requesting an ESA3 now, other than the usual issues in getting the DWP do something that is to the claimants advantage

Gordon

What is a WCA handbook?