Will I be definitely be able to get esa

[User604]

I've had sick pay for 28 weeks it's now come to an end. Will I definitely be entitled to esa as I've been getting sick pay long term? Will I have to give my notice in to get esa?

From what I understand you can claim ESA when your sick pay runs out even if you are still employed.

There is no definite about it. It's hard to answer as you literally give given no information.

ESA is awarded after an assessment. It's pure pot luck just like PIP as to whether you will get it.

Perhaps if you tell us why you think you would qualify we can give some pointers?

If you’ve been working and paid enough NI contributions then you should be able to apply for New Style ESA (formerly known as contribution based ESA) if you haven’t been paying NI then you’ll need to apply for Universal Credit. Either way you’ll need an assessment and if you pass that then they’ll award. With ESA you’re put in one of 2 groups the work related groups means that they think you’ll be back at work at some point, you’ll receive payments for 12 months after that it switches to income based which now means Universal Credit. If you’re put in the support group then that’s means longer term sick and you will continue receiving contribution based ESA as long as you keep passing the assessments and keep getting put in the support group. Universal credit also has 2 groups, you get no extra money for being in the work related group but have less commitments, with the support group you receive an extra element of universal credit so get more money.

Thank you for all replies. I would rather not say what my illness is in case one of my colleagues is on here. I always assumed as I had a sick note from my gp I couldn't be found fit to work.

I'm a GP - after the 6m it's not up to us, the DWP make their own assessment.

redstapler Thank you so my doctor can no longer give me sick notes for work? Or is that just where esa is concerned?

no, basically at about 6 months we get a letter saying that the person has been assessed and either they get ESA and we no longer need to give sick notes, or they are fit to work and we shouldn't issue another note for the same condition.

thank you that's interesting I've known people be off work sick for longer than six months.

yes, but being on ESA is still being off work sick, you just don't continue to get a med3 from the GP

Sadly not. I spent six years unable to work - never got a penny in ESA or DLA as it was then, now PIP. Very much depends on your condition, and on who assesses you.

I would rather not say what my illness is in case one of my colleagues is on here.

Fair enough.

A successful ESA claim can be very hard to achieve. Some people seem to sail through, others more genuine seem to struggle.

We tried to claim it when DH became disabled and had to give up work but they wouldn't entertain the idea. In fact they used the fact that he had been in employment against him. They are absolute shits. Contact your council and make an appointment with their welfare rights service; they will be able to help.

Contributions based ( new style) ESA is contributions based and can be claimed in your own right regardless of what a partner earns or what savings you have. Income related ESA has now become part of Universal credit. It is possible to get them both but new style ESA would be deducted from Universal credit pound for pound. You would need to have paid NI contributions during most of 2017-18 and 2016-17 tax years to claim new style ESA. There is a 13 week assessment period for esa where you are paid a basic assessment rate . If you pass a work capability assessment then it may go up depending what group they put you in.

I would also advise getting help with the ESA50/ UC50 work capability form as the more information you can give and send relevant medical information with, the better chance you stand .

I got a letter saying my payments from esa are £137 a week from the 10th of April but I have been getting £550 every two weeks before then and well after then I just got that letter a few days ago does anyone know if that's what the payment will be now.they said my payments were £131 since feburary.