Work and ESA issues getting me down

murff

I have been ill for some time, coping and trying to carry on with emphysema,  i have 20% lung capacity and have been told i have end stage emphysema COPD,  i am on oxygen 16 hours a day and have to use a mobile oxygen for when i walk at work, i was off sick last year for 7 months, i tried to claim contributory ESA but told there was no such thing anymore as i lived in a universal credit area , so i appied for that and after being told i was not entitled to benefits because my partner earns 'too' much i felt forced back to work i have been back now for 8 months and im getting vibes from my employer about my role as to whether i can continue and have a meeting with HR next week,  i get PIP,  and the higher aspect of mobility,  but i feel that if work finished me i would be struggling my partner does earn above average but we still have bills like everyone else , i have paid into the system since i have been 15/16 years old, when i actually went for  a meeting at the job centre the interviewer made me feel like i was trying to claim somthing i was not entitled to,  when i went for a lung function test the consultant asked me if i worked, (as i was in my uniform,  i am a nurse assistant), and i said yes  she told me i must be 'clearly mad in the head' my respiratory nurses also are   shocked that i work, but as i said iv been told that i am not entitled to anything ive worked all my life , for what, nothing only to be struggling on, and a miserable life, can someone help me and explain to me why i am not entitled to anything,   thanks in advance x

thespiceman

Hello @murff Pleased to meet you welcome.

Thank you for joining and sharing.

Sorry what has happened.

Have a look at our on line benefit checker .  Its a handy tool which should be able to give you some idea of what benefits you entitled to.

You can also find out more information about benefits on our website

Have you spoken to CAB they have a lot of knowledge and expertise on benefits.

They can and could do a benefit check. Something to consider.  Including anything else you need further advice and information.

We also have a lot of useful information about reasonable adjustments in the work place.  On our website.  Which you might find helpful.

We are a friendly, supportive community. Care and share. Please ask if we can advise on anything some one will know.

Pleasure to meet you.

Take care

@thespiceman

murff

Thank you 

Sam_Alumni

Hi @murff
@thespiceman has given some great thoughts here, do try the benefits calculator to see if you could be entitled to anything else.
We do hear from a lot of people that due to their partners wage, they feel trapped and it is really tough.

poppy123456

HI,

This is situation confuses most people when their area is a full Universal credit area. What you need to claim is New Style Contributions based ESA and not the old Contributions based ESA. Same benefit, different name with a different phone number to claim.

Having said this, as you're working then SSP is payable for 28 weeks before being able to claim New style Contributions based ESA. Once you've claimed the SSP then your employer will give you the SSP1 form, which you'll need to be able to claim the ESA. See both links for information.

https://www.gov.uk/statutory-sick-pay

Scroll down this link her to where is say "how to claim New Style ESA. Phone numbers included in the link.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/new-style-employment-and-support-allowance

murff

Oh thank you so much  that's the first time iv ever been told anything about it 

poppy123456

No problem. DWP have very little training for UC and new style contributions based ESA and so many people get confused by the difference and what to do to claim it.