Hi, my name is MrsBigHair78!

MrsBigHair78

hello everyone, I have joined the community in the hope that I can gain some support and advice. I am currently working, however, it is a physical job, I am a team leader in a supermarket. I am struggling more and more to do the job and the increase in pain and other symptoms is getting unbearable. I have a few health issues, but the main problems with work is chronic pain. I have degenerative discs in my lower spine, which are bulging on to my nerve. I also have an artificial disc in my neck which is now failing and bulging onto a nerve. I also have arthritis in multiple joints, hands, feet and now my hips as well.

My PIP is currently under review, since March 2024! I was one point off the enhanced when I was originally awarded it. Since then my situation has deteriorated and I need to reduce my hours. But if I do this I will need extra support financially. Not knowing when PIP will respond is frustrating and all the time I am working I am making my back and neck worse. I looked at the new esa support and I think possibly I may qualify for this as my disability is effecting my ability to work and k need to drop my hours. But I don’t know if I will need to drop my hours first and then claim it or if I have to be on the sick, I want to work still though, just it needs to be reduced hours. Sorry it is such a lengthy introduction

poppy123456

To claim New Style ESA and be entitled to payments you will need the correct NI contributions in tax years 2022/23/ 2023/24.

You would also need to be working less than 16 hours per week and earn no more than £183.50/week. Any more than that and you will not be able to claim it. If you claim SSP from an employer in the future you would also not be able to receive ESA at the same time. You would also need a fit note to be able to claim this.

You can look at claiming Universal Credit. As this is a means tested benefit whether there's any entitlement will depend on your circumstances. If you live with a partner you'll need to claim as a couple. If you have capital of more than £16,000 you're excluded from claiming.

You can use a benefits calculator to check entitlement. I'd also advise you to put in different figures to see what entitlement would be. You should put the earnings in that you currently receive, as well as any earning from a partner you may live with and then put earnings figures in as if you've dropped your hours.

https://www.entitledto.co.uk/benefits-calculator/

If it shows entitlement to UC you should report your health condition and provide a fit note. This would then start the work capability assessment off and you should be referred from day 29 of your claim.

If you claim both ESA and UC at the same time the ESA would be deducted in full from any UC entitlement.

Mary_Scope

A warm welcome to the community @MrsBigHair78

I can see that poppy123456 has given some excellent advice so I won't add anything more but please reach out if you have further questions or would like further support.

The online community are a friendly bunch who will try our best to support you!

Bluebell21

Hi @MrsBigHair78 Welcome to the Community from me too. I hope you enjoy your time on the forum. Any further questions just ask.

We are here to help and support you where we can. Have a look around and join in when you are ready.

Take care.