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Lifetime DLA /ESA

Casadog16

does anyone know if those on lifetime DLA ESA are now also being assessed for PIP , I am dreading it.

in the meantime , are there any benefits which can help me with the mortgage of my house. Savings are running out fast and I am really worried I will loose the house and be out on the street.

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Comments

Topkitten

As far as I know there is little help with mortgages. Rather than wait until it is too late sell it and rent. Then, when the money runs out you can get more help. It wasn't how I was brought up but it's the only way atm.

TK

Matilda

@Casadog16

I suggest that you re-post in Ask a benefits advisor category.

CockneyRebel

Casadog16 said:

does anyone know if those on lifetime DLA ESA are now also being assessed for PIP , I am dreading it.

in the meantime , are there any benefits which can help me with the mortgage of my house. Savings are running out fast and I am really worried I will loose the house and be out on the street.

Depending on your age, everyone even if on lifetime DLA are being transfered to PIP.
Try putting your details into one of the online benefit calculators or get advice from a trained specialist Like CAB

stargazer

Hi I can tell you that my husband went through hell, and had to go to tribunal to win PIP. We are so gratefull it was granted , but while we were waiting we used nearly all of our savings, which were for emergencies, and when they granted the PIP it was with a big reduction financially than before when DLA.They backdated payment but we were out of pocket due to waiting ect by a lot. Not fair.

SOB

Hi
If you have a mortgage, then the DWP will cover the interest payment of the loan. But do look into this with CAB, they will help sort out a money payment plan.

Good luck & I hope life turns for the better.

CockneyRebel

SOB said:

Hi
If you have a mortgage, then the DWP will cover the interest payment of the loan. But do look into this with CAB, they will help sort out a money payment plan.

Good luck & I hope life turns for the better.

This is changing in April 2018 and will replace by a loan

SMI as a benefit is ending on 5 April 2018, and will be replaced by a loan. If you get SMI as a benefit, you’ll get a letter by February 2018 telling you about the loan and other options available to you.

CR

whistles

Yes my indefinite DLA has just been stopped/changed to PIP.

I didn't know ESA was lifetime? Where does it say this. Another question to add to my phone call list!

CockneyRebel

ESA is an open ended award, which means they can reveiw at any time or defer if they wish

CR

whistles

That's something new then?
I was never reviewed prior to this benefit.

SunshineLou

DLA works completely differently to PIP. That’s why they’ve changed it.
My son had an indefinite DLA award and turns 16 this year so will transfer to PIP.
The longest PIP award (which I myself get) is an ongoing award. That means a minimum term of 10 years but they always review people. Under that it’s a 10 year award and you can be reassessed at any time they choose.
The whole process is stressful and basically designed to give the minimum possible to save money.
It’s taken me 4 years, 3 assessments and an appeal to get an ongoing award. I’ve had to prove, time and time again, that the brain and spinal cord damage I have won’t get any better now.
Thankfully they now agree (thanks to my latest appeal....it never got to the Tribunal though).

Just be prepared with evidence for a battle!

whistles

It's not about getting better though.

It's about whether the condition will be present and how it effects your day to day functions. Saying that only those they are interested in! I get help with things they are not.

My condition is likely to be lifelong but it's fluctuating.
With how the world has developed products have been developed and evolved to assist me, meaning I can manage better than before.
Isn't that the same for everyone? Those here have access to the Internet, so I'm not the only one with access to online shopping that wasn't around before.
I'm waiting for a smart cooker that switches itself off.

SunshineLou

@whistles they don’t give you a long award if they feel you’ll improve. For the last 4 years I’ve only had 2 year awards.
This latest appeal of mine was different. They called me and told me they think it’s unlikley I’ll improve any further, which I agreed with.
Mine actually gone down hill in the last year. Thats why they gave me an ongoing award.
My day to day functioning fluctuates too but ‘most’ days I’m very limited in what I can do. Some days (maybe once a fortnight) I can achieve a bit more but that’s not counted. It’s the majority of the time that they want to know about.

Yeah, technology helps of course but having technology doesn’t mean you can do things on your own with no assistance.
Using aids and adaptations means you’re not able to do those things yourself!
Not independently.

whistles

Yes but they expect you to use them because it's less points.
Going back they didn't have aids included on the old forms. Too many people got care.
It's pretty disgusting if you think of it, because these aids don't grow on trees, not every council provides them.
I got told told you can do xyz. I don't know if they try out what they suggest first.

Matilda

If can't do things reliably even using aids then you will get some points.

They do expect you to use aids to try to help you do things. Of course if you say you can't do things, and don't use aids that might help you, then you will get fewer points.

SunshineLou

@Matilda you should get points if you need aids yes, the problem is they love to say to you.... “You’ve told us you can’t do.......”

.....”But we’ve decided that you can.....”

They basically make you out to be a liar, even when you have evidence to back you up. That’s exactly what kept happening to me. They’ve finally now accepted most of it. Some though? They still ‘disagree’ with

SunshineLou

@Casadog16 Sorry to hijack your post!

Here’s my take on your questions.
As far as I know ESA and DLA aren’t ever lifetime awards (anymore anyway). You used to be able to get an Indefinite award of DLA, but now PIP has replaced that for working age adults, the max is an Ongoing award. That’s a 10 year minimum and after that a reassessment at any given time.

Housing Benefit can help with mortgage payments but as far as I’m aware it’s only the interest they will pay.
Hope that helps?

Matilda

A friend of mine was on contributory ESA (don't know which category) and she said there was no end date to her ESA as long as she continued to pass her six-monthly medicals as unfit to work.

Mortgage interest is no longer paid for new claimants as a benefit. Instead, DWP pay mortgage interest as a loan (interest free, I think).

whistles

I've never had an ESA medical. I don't know what points I scored or why they auto placed in the support group. I dare not even ask for fear of triggering a domino effect!
It's agreed I cannot work.
Strangely I know we get told pip and esa have different criteria, but I am unfit to work, I'm not living either. You exist because of the restrictions.

SunshineLou

@whistles nor have I.
When I first applied I was paralysed in hospital and so got it automatically. The year after I had to have a review but only filled in the forms they sent me. The year after that I didn’t even get any forms. They asked my GP for a letter and I’ve heard nothing since.
That was 2 years ago.
I don’t want to call and ask questions either. Like you, I don’t want to rock the boat!
@Matilda, I don’t even have medicals for my ESA now, let alone every 6 months. I’ve actually never heard of anyone else that has that kind of review so often.
I guess your friend’s condition can change regularly then and they like to keep an eye out x

Angelfire

Casadog16 said:

does anyone know if those on lifetime DLA ESA are now also being assessed for PIP , I am dreading it.

in the meantime , are there any benefits which can help me with the mortgage of my house. Savings are running out fast and I am really worried I will loose the house and be out on the street.

I can advise on the first point only, I have been on lifetime DLA for the last 13 years, but still had to go through the PIP ordeal at the age of 68. Got awarded the standard rate for both. I have submitted my Mandatory Reconsideration and am awaiting the result. If that fails then I shall request the Appeal.