New Style ESA

ElleMae

I have a query which hopefully you can help me with. I have been on long term sick for 6 months and my SSP is about to run out. I will now go on half pay which will be approx £650 per month. I live alone and do not receive any other income. I have worked for my employer for 10 years. I have been told I can apply for New Style ESA. Is this true because when I spoke to the DWP today they said I will get no money as I have £650 income still coming in. 

poppy123456

Yes, you can claim New style ESA because your SSP is about to end. Your half pay from your employer will not affect your ESA. You will need your SSP1 form and a fit note to claim it. Payments won't start until SSP ends because both can't be paid at the same time.

Please also remember that when ringing any DWP department, you're speaking to someone from a call centre and not someone from DWP itself. The call centre staff have very little knowledge of benefits are sit there reading from a screen. Not really somewhere i'd advise you to call for any benefits advice.

You can claim online here. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/new-style-employment-and-support-allowance#how-to-apply

ElleMae

The lady I spoke to was from the ESA dept. I put the claim in online a couple of weeks ago and she rang me to let me know what happens next e.g. sending my SSP1 form and fit notes. She then said you won’t get any financial help as you’re still getting half pay. I didn’t argue with her although I thought she was wrong. Many thanks for clearing this up for me. 

poppy123456

You’re welcome. As it was someone from ESA itself then that’s even worse! -shakes head- 

Just so that you’re aware also, if you receive any holiday pay from your employer while you’re not working then this also doesn’t affect your ESA. 

ElleMae

Appreciate your advice.