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Original poster

Does anybody understand ESA

36 replies

Charltonstrek · 08/06/2025 16:08

Please I don't want this to turn into a benefit bashing thread but I've been struggling with my mental health and some physical issues I've always worked I'm coming up to 55 but since my old workplace closed down mental and physical health has further gone downhill and I don't know what to do even though I've been working part-time I'm still overwhelmed.
I applied for esa and expected to be assessed to see if I would be accepted for it and I was also aware I can only earn up to £195 a week if I recieve it. I have been earning more than this but not coping and I haven't been able to open up to managers that I don't want too many shifts so I've ended up accepting more work than I'm capable of.
Anyway I waited and waited for a phone call off the dwp to arrange an assessment and instead I got a letter stating I've earned over the threshold to get a payment.
I'm very confused where they just gonna pay me without an assessment.

OP posts:
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Thequeenofwishfulthinking · 08/06/2025 22:01

Id advise anyone to claim ESA if eligible even though its deducted £ for £ from UC. You can use your eligability letter towards evidence for any future PIP claim.
New style ESA uses a points scheme not dissimilar to PIP on assessment . If you have to stop work or go off sick and are in.the support group requiring you not to work and/or look for work you are eligible for extra money.
I would work hie many hours you are able to genuinely manage due to health then get a first note from your GP confirming this then apply for both UC and ESA (again.)
On UC uou get quote a bit of extra money of uou assessed as not fit to work and/or look for work.
Go.on a benefits calculator online or visit Citizens advice for any more info or more specifics about what you could potentially claim.

AnotherEmma · 08/06/2025 21:15

Have you actually spoken to your GP?
Surely if you're not well you need diagnosis and treatment - you will also need your GP to give you 'fit notes' confirming you are not able to work (or only able to work very limited hours).
You're employed at the moment (even if it's shift work, variable hours etc) so you should be able to go on sick leave and get sick pay, SSP as a minimum.
You might be able to claim Universal Credit to top up your income, since you are not able to work full time, and especially if you go onto SSP. Do you rent or own your home? For advice about whether you can get UC, contact Help to Claim: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/universal-credit/claiming/contact-us-about-universal-credit/
To be honest I think you should forget about ESA for now. Financially speaking it makes more sense to go on sick leave and SSP to begin with. SSP is paid for up to 28 weeks and you can claim ESA in advance of SSP ending.

As for PIP, you could try this self test to see if you are likely to qualify: https://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/personal-independence-payment-pip/pip-self-test

Contact us about a Universal Credit application

Get help making a new claim for Universal Credit, from the making the application through to getting your first correct payment.

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/universal-credit/claiming/contact-us-about-universal-credit/

Glitchymn1 · 08/06/2025 20:52

Charltonstrek · 08/06/2025 16:34

How do i get it I tried once and they refused said I was okay on the phone etc

Show quote history

Appeal, might be too late.
Not asking you to explain here, but do you have a diagnosis, medication, prescription, how the illness affects you and whatever you need but do not receive. In explicit detail. Explicit - can’t stress that enough. They’re long forms, you have to repeat over and over again.

You can claim PIP and still work (just pointing that out as many people think you can’t).

MonsterasEverywhere · 08/06/2025 20:39

I think it sounds like you need a referral to Talking Therapies. Ask your GP about this or see if you can self refer. This would be a good step forward. A lot of Talking Therapies also have connections to job coaches which they can then refer you onto which can help you find more suitable work.

Wishing you the best of luck.

minnienono · 08/06/2025 18:03

Please get proper advice as I’m pretty sure you can’t work and claim esa except in very specific circumstances.

feelingbleh · 08/06/2025 18:01

Charltonstrek · 08/06/2025 16:50

Despite medication and past appointments with my gp etc nothings improving

Have you had any talking therapies. You can self refer

TwoBlueFish · 08/06/2025 17:56

I would get signed off sick at least for a couple of weeks, give yourself some breathing room. talk to citizens advice or maybe Mind. Talk to your employer if you can. Can you financially afford to drop your hours?

Original poster
Charltonstrek · 08/06/2025 16:50

Despite medication and past appointments with my gp etc nothings improving

OP posts:
Original poster
Charltonstrek · 08/06/2025 16:48

I'm so unsettled do I keep struggling through and try to maintain 3 or 4 days a week and stay off benefits or not can somebody advise what they think I should do here.

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TwoBlueFish · 08/06/2025 16:45

The online application is the first step where they do initial checks to see if you meet the basic eligibility to even be considered. If you do then they’ll send out a form which you complete to say how your condition effects you and provide evidence, after that you will probably be called for an assessment which can be in person or over the phone. It’s a long process.

Original poster
Charltonstrek · 08/06/2025 16:45

I would also like some support in finding a workplace I can cope with or be supported eased in etc

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LongLiveTheLego · 08/06/2025 16:44

You have to earn under £195 at the point of putting in a claim for ESA. So they will not assess you unless your earnings drop.

Original poster
Charltonstrek · 08/06/2025 16:44

TwoBlueFish · 08/06/2025 16:42

Because you failed at the first step because you’re not earning under the limit.

So I need to just stay on 2 days a week now then and put in a new claim?

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LongLiveTheLego · 08/06/2025 16:43

Glitchymn1 · 08/06/2025 16:33

Could you claim PIP?

Everyone will migrate to UC.

Show quote history

No not with New Style ESA they won’t.

TwoBlueFish · 08/06/2025 16:42

Because you failed at the first step because you’re not earning under the limit.

Original poster
Charltonstrek · 08/06/2025 16:42

I know about the 2 groups etc just thought they would call me in to find out more about me

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Original poster
Charltonstrek · 08/06/2025 16:41

TwoBlueFish · 08/06/2025 16:39

After the ESA assessment, if you qualify, then you’ll be put in one of 2 groups. The first group is Support Group this is for those people who DWP think are not going to be unlikely to work again due to the severity of their condition, and they can continue to receive ESA long term. The other group is Work Related Group, this is for people who DWP can get back into work and you’ll have job coaching skills and other help, this group can only claim for 1 year.

if you’re in the Work Related Group and you get to the end of the year then you could try and claim UC.

You can also looking into claiming PIP, which is a completely separate benefit, isn’t means tested and is for people with a disability who struggle with daily living.

Edited

So why didn't they assess to find out reasons for claim and my intentions etc

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TwoBlueFish · 08/06/2025 16:39

After the ESA assessment, if you qualify, then you’ll be put in one of 2 groups. The first group is Support Group this is for those people who DWP think are not going to be unlikely to work again due to the severity of their condition, and they can continue to receive ESA long term. The other group is Work Related Group, this is for people who DWP can get back into work and you’ll have job coaching skills and other help, this group can only claim for 1 year.

if you’re in the Work Related Group and you get to the end of the year then you could try and claim UC.

You can also looking into claiming PIP, which is a completely separate benefit, isn’t means tested and is for people with a disability who struggle with daily living.

Original poster
Charltonstrek · 08/06/2025 16:36

I don't understand what'd wrong with me I feel numb at time with overwhelming fatigue can't interact properly or follow people's conversations.

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Original poster
Charltonstrek · 08/06/2025 16:34

Glitchymn1 · 08/06/2025 16:33

Could you claim PIP?

Everyone will migrate to UC.

Show quote history

How do i get it I tried once and they refused said I was okay on the phone etc

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Glitchymn1 · 08/06/2025 16:33

Charltonstrek · 08/06/2025 16:31

However not sure it's worth it as what happens after the years up my mental health is unlikely to have improved

Could you claim PIP?

Everyone will migrate to UC.

Original poster
Charltonstrek · 08/06/2025 16:32

TwoBlueFish · 08/06/2025 16:31

ideally you’d get your fit note that says you would benefit from reduced hours and then take that to your employer who would make adjustments. If they won’t and you get sick pay then take some sick leave and see how you feel in a few weeks. Citizens Advice can help you with what you can apply for.

If im brave enough to turn down the hours I can get away with 2 shifts a week. I'm casual anyway.

OP posts:
Original poster
Charltonstrek · 08/06/2025 16:31

However not sure it's worth it as what happens after the years up my mental health is unlikely to have improved

OP posts:
TwoBlueFish · 08/06/2025 16:31

ideally you’d get your fit note that says you would benefit from reduced hours and then take that to your employer who would make adjustments. If they won’t and you get sick pay then take some sick leave and see how you feel in a few weeks. Citizens Advice can help you with what you can apply for.