DWP have agreed with appeal

[Offcut]

At Last! Just got confirmation I have support ESA and being back dated 25 weeks and to make me feel so much better they state I am entitled to the Xmas Bonus all those things I can spend £10.00 on over Xmas? Oh yes Gas, Electric, Rates, Mortgage, Debts,Petrol and what's left I can buy food!

[rick1]

I am so pleased for you Offcut enjoy you deserve it.

[nannywyre]

nice one hun you innjoy it

[Hidden]

congratulations offcut, you should also automatically qualify for the cold weather payment. gov.uk/cold-weather-payment

[Offcut in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for the heads up. I cannot see what the appeal process is it can not be that simple can it?

[Offcut in reply to Hidden]

Now that I have the support ESA do I still need to get sick notes?

[Bronch1noGO in reply to Offcut]

Nope you are finally sick note free - Congrats

[cuddles64 in reply to Offcut]

Nope but apparently you can or may still be called by Atos for another medical after you have been on a year I believe, just to see if you are getting any better (DWP requirements) lol. But I am hoping this is not true because I am in the support group of ESA and I am almost a year done and I have definitely not got any better and nor will I. Well done, you can finally relax. Enjoy what you deserve hun. xx

[Offcut in reply to cuddles64]

I finally got around to call DWP and was told I will have to fill in all the forms again later next year, as they have put a 12 month review on me! But the guy did say that may not mean another visit to ATOS.

I bet there will be a section on there asking if you opened the envelope on your own " Fit For Work"

[Fabgran in reply to Offcut]

Hello offcut 😊 I do like what you said about you bet there be a new section on there asking if you open the envelope on your own then "fit for work" 😂😂😂😂

[appyalison]

Well done of cut, enjoy the peace of mind. Alison

[swallow]

Great news, so pleased..x

[Mizzymac]

That's great news offcut Finally it over and done with no more worry about the appeal . Angie

[Hidden]

Hurray! Glad to hear you got your payment. One less thing to worry about

[mattcass]

Hi Offcut, We are so glad for you gives you a bit breathing space. Matt/Fran

[cofdrop-UK]

Result - brilliant news.

love cx

[peege]

Great news offcut, dont spend it all at once! Seriously, good for you. Hopefully you can relax a bit now. peeg

[SusieQs]

Nice one. I bet that`s taken a bit of the weight off your shoulders. x

[Offcut]

Trouble now with all the stress I have gone into AF

[Hidden in reply to Offcut]

relief! I hope that life now will become easier for you, offcut.

[vittorio]

- Now don't spend your Xmas Bonus all on sweeties - like mummy used to say !!! - good on yer ! - nice to hear a bit of GOOD news from one of these dreadful Government departments ......

[katieoxo60]

that's good news ,enjoy, hopefully there will be less stress for you now, plus a few passport benefits like reduced health charges on low income grounds. But that requires another form being filled in does that sound familiar (smiles) best of luck with ESA

[Offcut in reply to katieoxo60]

What do you mean reduced health charges? free scripts?

[katieoxo60 in reply to Offcut]

prescriptions,dental treatment and sight tests are only free usually for those on income support or pension credit unless you make a claim on low income grounds on an HC1 form or is ESA payment classed as income related?

[rozzieb in reply to katieoxo60]

There are 2 types of ESA - only one is income related. Form HC1 is only one part of the NHS low income scheme - for example you also need HC5 for travel costs to hospital (and you need receipts such as petrol, bus or taxi and parking tickets)

[katieoxo60 in reply to rozzieb]

Thanks for the extra info on NHS low income forms, realize you need receipts to claim back costs to travel to hospital, even when your retired you have to do this unless your receiving pension credit.It's like trying to get through a maze all the varied regs

[cuddles64 in reply to katieoxo60]

There are 2 type of ESA, one is income related and the other is contributions based for those who have paid in enough contributions. No you will get free prescriptions, eyes test and dentist check ups are free also, as far as I am aware.

[katieoxo60 in reply to cuddles64]

prescriptions are free for pensioners,so are eye tests, dental exams are not free or treatment and glasses are not free either, as far as I am aware only those on income support or pension credit get these health services free or those who claim who have very low incomes no matter from what source that income is from even ESA to claim this you have to fill in an HCI

[jiffy]

I'm in the process of packing up work as just physically can't do it anymore I feel so useless, have an appointment with CAB about getting PIP but as I have never claimed benefits before really don't know where or what to do and how do I get signed off work perminatly have been getting sick notes now for the last 3 months

Congratulations to you for getting your ESA

[binlid in reply to jiffy]

let work medicaly retire you hun willmake it easier forclaim

[jiffy in reply to binlid]

thanks how does this happen how long do I have to be off before they will do this

[rozzieb in reply to jiffy]

It's up to your employer how long before they retire you on medical grounds but if you resign you may not get benefits you would otherwise qualify for - so hang in there! Often employers make this decision after a year of you've not returned to work but there aren't hard and fast rules about this. If your statutory sick pay's run out (28 weeks) then make sure you're getting ESA (based on your NI contributions for 365 days if your NI record is long enough - usually going back 2 years)

[jiffy in reply to rozzieb]

Thanks for that Rozzieb, they had said about me resigning through ill health but at least now I can say no

[cuddles64 in reply to jiffy]

You need to write a letter of resignation to your employer stating on the grounds of reason for handing your notice in and then also get your consultant or GP who regularly deals with you to sign a confirmation note disclosing of any sickness and ill health issues that effect your ability to work.

[kimmy59]

Well done so pleased for you.

Kim xxx

[KingoftheCocktails]

Keep at it ,go for all those benefits that are out there. BLF might be able to help advise you on any benefit entitlements .Phone [phone] mon-fri-9am 5pm

KOTC

Your daily humour tonic

[mcnally]

Dont know if this will help but I was medically retired from work 2 years ago, I get dissability and income based esa. Because I dont get round on my own much and need help to get to the doctors my GP gave me a form that stated I could get free prescriptions.I sent it off and within a couple of weeks I recieved an exemption card . X

[Offcut]

To top it off I now have a tax demand for £588 from when i was working a few years back

[naturelover in reply to Offcut]

Oh oh, sorry just read about your tax demand.....that is not so good!

[naturelover]

So very pleased for you. My son is going to his appeal soon, he has mental health probs which I know is nothing to do with folk on this site, but he is a deserving cause as well. These people should by now realise genuine cases. No-one wants to be ill but it helps when the government realises you need help. Good luck to you.