ESA capability for work interview

[moomie]

Morning all, its a lovely fresh sunny day here in Yorkshire.

I got ill health retirement from the NHS this summer. My G.p said I needed to contact DHSS to ask about my state pension contributions because I am only 54. ( I have worked since 16 ). I did this and they said I need to claim ESA so they will be paid, new to bdnefits. The endless forms completed now next week I have to go to a face to face interview. My worry now is what if they say I have to apply for other jobs, I really couldnt manage a desk job of 18 hours a week. I am managing a whole lot better not having to work.

Do they stop paying my state pension contribution ?

They have been giving me a small monthly benefit which is very welcome and useful. I take it this will stop too if they say I am fit to work.

I find this all confusing so any information would be helpful. I am flaring at the moment so I suppose come at a good time. I also have a good report from the decision makers at NHS pensions who awarded me the tier 2 pension which I will take along.

Thank you

[Jewels94]

Good luck with your face to face. I am still waiting for the result of mine. I am also waiting for my ill health pension to be sorted out with local government. If they decide you are fit to work you will have to go on JSA to continue getting your NI credits paid but hope fully that won't happen. Are you getting PIP?

[moomie in reply to Jewels94]

Good luck with yours. My NHS pension has been a nightmare. My contract ended 31st July I got my first payment 20th Sept. The tax people have me paying more tax when I am only getting less than half my wage.

Yes I do get pip at the lower rate had that a year now. I was awarded it until 2021. In that interview I realised after I said I could do things which really I needed help with just do not like sounding negative. I am really confused with all this benefit thing. Not sure what Is a is either, I didn't expect to have to claim benefits and have this added stress.

Hope you are sucessful

[Jewels94 in reply to moomie]

Thanks. JSA is jobseekers but you really don't want the stress of going on that. You can go on the HMRC site to check wether you have paid enough contributions for your state pension. You should also contact them with regards to your tax code as it sounds like you've been put on basic rate. You will eventually get any tax back that you've overpaid.

gov.uk/log-in-register-hmrc...

[moomie in reply to Jewels94]

Thank you I will have a look. They did say I have not quite paid enough contributions yet. I did try ringing the tax office one lady said it was correct rang again and one said no wrong so adjusted it but still paying more. I am just leaving it know like you say I should get it back.

I know I just couldn't manage at work anymore. On 18.5 hours I was just going to work then nothing else so tired in pain bad tempered etc. Now yes I am flaring but I can manage it much better. Before this last flare I felt good could cook proper meals. All down to pacing.

Thanks for the info

[moomie in reply to Jewels94]

I went yesterday for my interview. What a lovely Lady she was I was surprised. She asked me why I wasn't getting pip on higher rate mobility and asked me to promise her I would apply. She said I had worked all my life and the benefits are for people like me to help when I need it. She has other evidence from Drs etc too. Fingers crossed I asked what would happen if I was asked to go for job interviews and she said don't worry about that it won't happen. She then booked and authorised me a taxi home. I had paid for one there. I don't want to get too optimistic but felt all went well. There is always that niggle at the back of my mind.

Today I rang NHS pensions and the Tax office and I think now this is sorted. Cannot believe the worry since July.

Thank you for all your advice.

Just need a positive outcome at the end of October at the hospital now to be able to start the new JAK s inhibitor drug. Xx

[Jules13 in reply to moomie]

I also applied for PIP 3 weeks ago but have heard nothing back. How long did it take to get a response from PIP?

[Jewels94 in reply to Jules13]

It took me a year to get my PIP sorted out but that was about 3 years ago. I think the turnaround is much quicker now.

[moomie in reply to Jules13]

I have just checked I got a text 4 days after my face to face to say I qualified. Good luck with it x

[Jewels94 in reply to moomie]

I’m so glad you had a good asessment. It’s just the waiting game now for the decision but yours definitely sounds positive. Still waiting for my decision letter although I think my Ill health pension is going through. I’ve received a letter saying I’ve been approved for tier 1 I’ll health retirement, the top rate in lgps. Apparently I’ve got until 23rd October to dispute it, which I won’t be doing, and then I’ll be dismissed. Fingers crossed we both get the outcomes we’re hoping for. Xx

[Jules13 in reply to Jewels94]

I work for myself so no chance of retirement until I'm 70. Only another 21 years!!! God knows how I will survive. X

Why does pip take so long?

[moomie in reply to Jules13]

Oh dear that is not good. Take care and good luck with PIP. I have never claimed benefits before xx

[Jules13 in reply to moomie]

Me neither!!!

[Jules13 in reply to moomie]

But why does pip take so long?

[moomie in reply to Jules13]

Not sure unless it is the area you live in. The waiting is awful x

[Jules13 in reply to moomie]

I thought it was the same as the ESA. oh no.

[moomie in reply to Jewels94]

I hope it all goes well for you with the NHS pension. It is an awful feeling isn't it. You feel like you are being thrown into the scrap heap. I was worried that if I did try to look at other options they would say nothing suitable . That was my main concern that I would be dismissed. Fingers crossed for you. It is a stressful wording time. Only this week I feel as though my tax and pension is sorted. That is since July. I think this along with trying to come off steroids has caused me to flare.

Best of luck with everything keep me posted xx

[Jewels94 in reply to moomie]

I got my letter through today confirming that my employment has been terminated as of today. I also got my pensions option through so I’ve just got to fill that in and take it and my documents to the pensions department and then wait for the payments to be sorted out. So that’s a relief with that. Still waiting for my esa result to come through though.

[moomie in reply to Jewels94]

That I suppose is a relief and you are going to get your pension. It does take a time. If you go to take it in make sure you take some id like a passport. They have another form to fill in at your local office. That is then sent to the awards team who decide how much you will get. They are ok it was the pay master that are not so good. They should pay you within 30 days of your last working day. I am so pleased for you. Just hope you hear soon from your ESA decision and it is the right one. How long have you waited now ?. Anyway sit back and relax now you have earned it. I felt a weight had been lifted that I didn't have to struggle any more . You will find you can manage things a lot better now you can pace yourself xx

[Jewels94 in reply to moomie]

Hi, I had my assessment on 14th September. Phoned up this morning and it is still with the decision maker, so who knows how long it will take. Have you heard back from yours?

[moomie in reply to Jewels94]

Wow that's a long time to wait. No I have not had any word either. I saw my G.p on Monday and mentioned it while he was taking bloods. He said if they make you apply for jobs I will eat my hat !

Still we don't know how they do things. I am still pondering speaking to pip. The assessor I saw said I should and get a higher rate etc. I just worry and don't want hassle of forms interviews it's too stressful.

Good news with new meds though . Hospital have started me on the new JAKs inhibitors.

Good luck and fingers crossed for you xx

[Jewels94 in reply to moomie]

I know what you mean. I was only one point short of enhanced with my PIP and could see where I should habeen given another 2 points but decided not to bother appealing it. Hope you do well on the new meds xx

[moomie in reply to Jewels94]

I was exactly the same a year ago. That was before I took ill health retirement.

Thanks xx

[Jewels94 in reply to Jewels94]

Just thought I’d give you an update. Looks like I’ve been put into support group for ESA. No letter yet but money in bank. I’ve also received my pension lump sum so all good. Any news yet from your ESA assessment?

[moomie in reply to Jewels94]

I am really pleased for you. It must be such a relief.

I have not had any word yet. My G.p said I shouldn't worry too much about it. I am still elated to be offered the new drug. Only 10 days in and the stiffness in my hands in a morning is not lastingvas long.

Celebrate now put your feet up and enjoy your retirement xx

[Jewels94 in reply to moomie]

I’m really pleased your new drug is working so well.

[moomie in reply to Jewels94]

Thank you. Will let you know when I hear something. Did get my blue badge renewed this week so thAt is a God send xx

[weymouth321 in reply to moomie]

Is this the new Jak tablet ?

[moomie in reply to Jewels94]

Morning. Just to let you know I got extra money in the bank last week. We have been on holiday. Got back last and a letter waiting. Been put in the support group with extra money. So relieved. Cheered me up no end. Had a bad fall night before we went away. Just off to Dr again now. In a full length leg brace ? Fractured knee tibia xx

[Jewels94 in reply to moomie]

Well done, it is a relief isn’t it.Thanks for letting me know, I was thinking about you. I hope your knee gets better soon, take it easy xx

[moomie in reply to Jewels94]

Sure is . Thank you . G.p sent me straight to A&E. They want me seen in fracture clinic so back tomorrow. It's like being back at work lol. Xx

[Jules13]

I'm 49 and have just claimed for ESA, after not being able to work for over 5 weeks. I'm self employed so told them as soon as I could physically do my design work again, I would. Until then they have said I'm eligible for £77 a week. This is great but my weekly outgoings are about £350 a week. So I'm screwed basically. I will have to take out a credit card to survive if I don't work soon.

You can work up to 16 hours a week too and still claim ESA. However because my earnings are higher than minimum wage, as soon as I even do one days work, my ESA will stop.

The most crucial evidence you need to send ESA is a sick note from your doctor and support letters from friends or family. I know they have a massive impact on the decision making.

Good luck. Xx

[moomie in reply to Jules13]

It is hard when you try to be self sufficient. I do hope you get by. I did 38 years for NHS all I knew really . No problem with sick notes from G.p. I think my G.p had sent in information too plus the letter I got from the awards people at NHS pensions was very strong so hopefully will be ok.

I do hope you get some help. The Lady who did my assessment said these benefits are set out to help people who have worked all their lives and paid in then there to help them when they need support. Good luck to you xx

[Jules13 in reply to moomie]

That's what my family said when I was so ashamed to be collecting benefits of any kind. They said I had been hard working and self sufficient all my life so a bit of help when I need it is nothing to be ashamed of. I just know that certain other friends and family just think I'm lazy. Haven't got the stiff upper lip to just keep going. I think they think I'm weak. That's how I was brought up. Fall off a horse, get back on. Have a car crash, get back in the car. Knee surgery? Just work from home. So it's hard when I physically can't use my hand!

[moomie in reply to Jules13]

I know how you feel. You shouldn't feel weak, sounds like you have been and are a hard worker. Be kind to yourself or you will make yourself worse. People don't understand you are always going to get that. My elderly neighbour wanted me to carry her shopping in. I don't even take my own in but she said wait til youngest to my age ! I didn't refuse or anything but struggled and did it. You think of yourself and I hope you get the right result soon xx

[nomoreheels]

I can't help you, sorry moomie, just wanted to say I hope things work out for you & how handsome Keegan looks, didn't know he was a skateboarder! x

[moomie in reply to nomoreheels]

Thank you NMH. Keegan is dog of many talents :). It was a dog show to raise funds for rescue lahsos.

I didn't knowingly apply for ESA. Thought it was just so that I could get my NI stamp paid. Had so much to sort out since finishing work it's unbelievable. But think I am about sorted now. My main worry with this was they could say I have to apply for jobs. If I could I wouldn't have left my old job but we will see. Hope you and hubby are well xxx