Anyone know about ESA??

[rockinmum]

Hiya,

So I am due to have our 2nd child in December and as I haven't worked since 2008 I am not entitled to SMP or MA. I heard and read on the internet that I may be entitled to the new Employment and Support Allowance which has taken over from Incapacity Benefit. However, after talking to the lovely (!) people at the benefits helpline and basically being told, you're pregnant not dying so why would we give you money, I am not so sure anymore.

Does anyone know how it works as even my local jobcentre don't seem sure.

Could really do with the money, and the website says that if you are pregnant and paid NI in the last three years you are entitled.

Help..........

I get ESA and have to provide medical notes to say that I'm unfit for work.
I am pg, but I didnt think that just being pg is reason enough to claim as you would be considered fit for work if you are well.

Well you see this website

here says that they take your Mat B1 as evidence of incapacity for work from 6 weeks before baby is due to 14 days after.

My jobcentre are crap anyway so I think I might print this off and take it in with me at some point. Just don't want to leave it til last minute. I'm not out to get money for nothing, I have paid NI and would be working if there was any form of childcare where we are. Just want what I am entitled to from this country for once instead of it going to someone else instead.

Thanks for the info. It hadn't occurred to me that I might be eligible for ESA.

I actually have a chronic condition anyway and had to give up work when I came off my medications to get pregnant this time. If it wasn't for my chronic condition, I'd still be in work and eligible for SMP, but I needed to be on my medications to hold down a job and that meant I couldn't keep a pregnancy (2 miscarriages in 6 months last year).

Why don't you try putting your details into this? It will tell you what you're entitled to, although not always how much you would get. It's a good starting point anyway.

Also, you should get all the information you need at a Citizens' Advice Bureau. Just take as much information about your financial/family situation as you can for the best advice.

Pregnancy isnt actually classed as an incapacity so they wouldnt accept a sick note saying that, if you can get your doctor to state another reason then you would be in with a chance depending on contributions youve paid as they go off the previous tax years, either way you should get your national insurance credits paid for you.x

Just been browsing this thread as I've tried to submit an application for ESA today.

I've just come out of hospital after 10 weeks,and my GP has provided a note for six months, backdated to the start of my hospital admission, so I'm basically signed off as 'unfit for work' from May until November.

On the websites I've been reading it talks about medical assessments within 13 weeks. Do you still have to do those if the GP has written that you're not fit for work for 6 nonths? I've spent ages reading the websites but I don't understand. Does the GP make one decision and then the DWP gets another doctor to check that?

I know I won't receive any money as was self-employed and haven't paid sufficient NI contributions so best case scenario is NI credits

Sorry for being so thick - blame the hospital-addled brain! Any help much appreciated!
x