Claiming esa

[hopetorun]

I have been trying to claim ESA what a night mare. Before i started i rang the information line to check whT type i need to be claiming. Just the normal esa. So off we go. Rang the number i was given and spent hal f an hour on the phone anzwering the questions only to be told at the end this was wrong. This went on for 4 days being passed from pillar to post. I went to the job centrre npw finally have an appiontment for the 13th of feb

[mrsmummy]

Do ring the BLF helpline and have a word with Biddy, their benefits advisor, beforehand. It may make things a little easier. 03000 030555.

[hopetorun in reply to mrsmummy]

Oh many thanks will do

[hypercat54]

Hi just to give you a guide. If you are fit to work and looking for work you claim JSA. if you are not fit to work and are sick you claim ESA. I am not sure whether they do it all on the phone now or whether they just send the form out. You would need a doctors sick/fit note within 7 days of claiming to keep your claim live.

If you have been working the last few tax years and paid National Insurance Contributions then you would claim Contribution based ESA. If you haven't been working you would claim income based. Whether or not you would get income based depends on whether you have a partner who is working and/or claiming benefit and if there is other income coming into the household. Also if your savings are £6,000 or above. You might not qualify if this is the case.

I used to work for the DWP. x

[Christabella153]

CAB excellent with help can you make an appointment to see them? If not go online sorry that everything is a minefield at the moment thought I had to go on PIP but thank God they left me on DLA phew. Hope everything is sorted soon XC

[Phil40]

Go on line and do some research before you fill out any forms or answer questions and you will find advice on how you need to answer any questions to best describe your condition.

Regards