ESA

[Tavaress]

Hello, I am waiting for possible ill health retirement and my work pay completely ends next month. I have worked since I was sixteen and I can claim my Government pension in just over three years.
For the first time in my life I have had to claim sick ( ESA ) and at first they said it was £77 which I didn't think was much. I then got a letter saying because I have a pension of £650 a month before tax my ESA has been lowered to £46.
The lady in The Job Centre said I would be on this type of ESA for nine months and because I am waiting for three operations she said I would continue on another ESA.
The good news is that I am getting my NI credits towards my pension while I am waiting for the operations but having worked for the best part of fifty years I really thought I would of received more than £46 after all those years of paying in.
I also believe I can't get help with Council tax and the dentist etc because this is The New Style contribution based benefit and I know some people will say I am lucky to have a pension which I am but I did pay into it for all those years.

hi there
i am in almost the exact situation as you.
Retire in 3 yrs small private pension and have worked all yrs since 1976.
Also expecting ihr v soon from RM.
I have had to lesrn to survive on the 77,
It is low for all the work weve put in and only lasts for 1 yr.

What about PIP? or is it AA after pension age

Thanks frasery and Orange. When I spoke to the lady at the job centre she didn't really tell me anything but a form came yesterday which looks like it might be for PIP. You have to be in a coma by the looks to qualify but I will just see what happens.
The sad fact is if I didn't have my other pension I would have to live on £77 a week, that's for all the bills and food etc. No wonder why some are going to food banks and this could be someone who has worked for the best part of fifty years

By the way frasery, if your pension is around £1000 a month, you will lose most if not all of your ESA . You might be able to claim PIP though.

There are some online guides to claiming PIP.

It isn't just if you can't do the activities but about doing them in a reasonable time, consistently, safely etc so have a think around this and there may even be guides for your specific condition as well to help.