Newbie 👋

hobbitzs

Just wanted to introduce myself..qualified recently Ill -health retired nurse Tier 1 with Long Covid/Severe anxiety depression/heart condition/Lung problems query fibromyalgia tests still ongoing, this has been going on since December 2019 😔 Thank you

Bluebell21

Hello @hobbitzs I hope you enjoy being part of the Community. Any questions please ask.

AKR

Morning to you @hobbitzs

Jimm_Scope

Welcome to the community @hobbitzs 😊

I'm sorry to hear how things have been down since 2019. You mention Ill Health Retirement, are you receiving any other benefits at all to help with costs?

Also, is the name a reference to Lord of the Rings or just a coincidence? 😁

hobbitzs

Thank you for your messages 😊

Jimm_Scope

It’s a name I have acquired because I’m ginger not very tall and also have hairy toes apparently lol 😂

I am on ESA income related as in paying enough NI over the years and PIP which is all new to me in all honesty…the Tier 1 has only just been awarded and in all honesty confused by it all..my memory has been affected badly and just being able to retain info is difficult/impossible most of the time 😓 in all honesty sounds ridiculous but I don’t really understand any of the above and feel silly for asking…can you or anyone else explain the Tier 1..I’m feeling really vulnerable and lost after 24 years of nursing…I don’t know if I will be able to work again due to my health problems and if I do manage it will it affect my esa/PIP etc

Apologises if I sound a miserable so and so but don’t feel I can talk to anyone as in family due to upsetting them 😔

poppy123456

To be clear if your ESA is based on your NI contributions then it will be either the old contributions based or New style ESA. If your claim started after end of December 2018 then it's almost certainly be New style ESA, which is a contributions based only benefit. Not Income Related.

When claiming New style ESA you will not have automatically entitlement to dental treatment eye tests of prescriptions.

I can't advise about your Tier 1 ill health but others maybe able to. In the meantime I found some information which may help.

https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/member-hub/applying-ill-health-pension-benefits#:~:text=Qualifying%20for%20a%20Tier%201,reduction%20for%20the%20early%20payment.

hobbitzs

Thank you Poppy123456

I only started claiming ESA in August 2023 so it’s the New Style one as you’ve suggested.

Thank you for the advise and the link 😊

poppy123456

You're welcome. I just didn't want you claiming for NHS treatment if you're not automatically entitled. So many people get confused in the difference between them.

Just some extra information incase you're not aware of this. Any pensions of up to £85/week are ignored for your ESA. For every £1/week over that amount your ESA reduces by 50p/week. If you receive a pension you must report the changes, even if your income from it is less than £85/week.

hobbitzs

Thank you kindly for this extra information :))

It is all very helpful & very much appreciated ;))