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annyella48
annyella48 Online Community Member Posts: 3 Listener
in Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
hi there
i have been on ESA for over 20 yrs.. i was involved in a car crash 28 years ago dislocate my neck and spent 3 months in hospital, i now suffer from chronic back pain, i don't have full use of my neck, i have fluid in my knees so every now and then if I'm walking my knee would give way and i end up falling down,
this has happened on a number of occasions.
i went for my medical examination 2 months ago and i have just received a letter stating that i had not passed my medical and i should start looking for work..
my situation remains the same, if anything WORSE.. as my panic attack is starting back...
what can i do, i don't have a clue, i don't even have the confidence to speak on the phone..

Comments

  • Dotty123
    Dotty123 Online Community Member Posts: 491 Empowering
    Same happened to me can’t use my hands you do mandatory reconsideration go vitamins advice they help you you won’t get any money now then if mr fails go to tribunal the team and followers will help you don’t give up you can get nil income form for rent paid good luck 
  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,463 Championing
    Hi,

    If you've been found fit for work your ESA will now stop. As Dotty says your first step is to request the Mandatory Reconsideration and you have 1 month from the date of the decision to request this.

    You should put the request in writing stating which group you think you should be in and your reasons why. Send any evidence you have with the letter. You won't be paid any ESA while you wait for the MR decision. If the MR decision remains the same and most do then it's Tribunal after that. If you don't claim universal credit in the meantime then once the Tribunal accept your appeal you can go back onto assessment rate for ESA but you'll need sick notes from your GP backdated to the date you were found fit for work.

    It could be several weeks before you'll receive any money. If you claim housing benefit and council tax reduction these will automatically stop. You need to contact your local council and claim for nil income and then they will continue.
  • Dotty123
    Dotty123 Online Community Member Posts: 491 Empowering
    I did good yes got rent sorted and DHP paid I’m learning x
  • annyella48
    annyella48 Online Community Member Posts: 3 Listener
    Sorry, 
    Not sure what you mean by 'claim for nil income'???
    I'm new to all this...
  • Dotty123
    Dotty123 Online Community Member Posts: 491 Empowering
    Go to council ask for nil income form they’ll pay your rent for you they do food bank for you to 
  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,463 Championing
    annyella48 said:
    Sorry, 
    Not sure what you mean by 'claim for nil income'???
    I'm new to all this...
    Because your ESA stopped then your housing benefit will also automatically stop because DWP will contact your local council. The nil income form will allow you to continue to receive your housing benefit while you wait for the MR decision.
  • annyella48
    annyella48 Online Community Member Posts: 3 Listener
    Ok, so where do I get the nil income form from. 
    Do I call up the council?
    Sorry I'm just so confused.
  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,463 Championing
    Speak to your local council and tell them you've been found fit for work and need to continue claiming housing benefit through nil income. This is presuming you were claiming Income related ESA and don't live with a partner that works.
  • Dotty123
    Dotty123 Online Community Member Posts: 491 Empowering
    If they don’t have nil income form you can get discrete art housing premium same as nil income go get it from council fill in ASAP 
  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,463 Championing
    Dotty123 said:
    If they don’t have nil income form you can get discrete art housing premium same as nil income go get it from council fill in ASAP 
    I'm not sure what a discrete art housing premium is.

    However, all local councils have nil income forms and this can be filled in when someone's been found fit for work, if they don't live with a partner that works.

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