Retirement and ESA

[Kayos234]

Hi

I have been on long term sick leave and my employer has requested I consider ill health retirement from my Local Government job. Since being on half pay, I have been informed that I qualify for CB ESA and awaiting a medical assessment for the support group. I am unsure if I will qualify for Teir 1, 2 or 3 at this point, could someone advise me if I will still get the ESA payments? also, will my pension count if I qualify for the support group?

I am new to the benefit system having worked all my life

Thank you

[Hidden]

Hi hun, I retired on ill health grounds last year age 61, depends how old you are for your company pension, some allow retirement at 55 others don't, when you get ESA you need to ask about regular payments towards your gov. pension (there are 2 groups of ESA and I am in contribution based) my pension is topped up via my ESA to ensure I have full gov pension in 2020. Your work pension will be frozen if they don't allow you to redeem it, as for Tier 1.2.3 you might have to put up a fight for that, get as much paperwork backing from your medics, physios g.p to back up your need to retire and ask them to emphasise you will not be able to return to working. Don't forget to ask for your holiday pay from employers when you are told you can retire..

[bluebell99]

Hello and a warm welcome to our friendly fibro forum where you can get advice, help, understanding and support. Our mother site fmauk.org is a wealth of information including guides and links.

Medical retirement can be a bit of a minefield so get as much advice as possible.

You could ring the DWP and ask them, you do not have to give your name. Also try Citizens Advice.

You may also be able to claim PIP if your care or mobility is causing you problems, this is not means tested so will not be counted as income.

I am a little confused by Tiers 1.2.3 is this connected to ESA payments?

gov.uk/employment-support-a...

This link may help to explain.

Kay

[TheAuthor]

Hi Kayos234

I sincerely hope that you are feeling as well as you possibly can be today? Welcome to the forum and it is wonderful to make your acquaintance. I do not personally have any experience of ESA myself but I want to sincerely wish you all the best of luck and please take care of yourself my friend.

All my hopes and dreams for you

Ken

[LottieD]

I am going through the exact same thing at the moment. I came off work in Aug. 2015. I have had no pay since Aug 2016. Got turned down for esa after face 2 face and appealed. Got turned down for ill health retirement, local government pension,even when their independent doctors put me forward for early ill health retirement! I have now been awarded pip standard rate but still no esa. This benefit system is a minefield. Like you I have worked all my life. I am now going to try and make an appointment with age concern they were brilliant at helping me fill in the forms for pip. I hope they can help me with everything else. I have now appealed for my pension again and have been told it may take two months. Be ready for a fight! Good luck and let me know how you get on xx