If this is your first visit, check out the community guide. You will have to Join us or Sign in before you can post.
Want to give us your opinion? Complete our annual survey.
Partner been told he is fit to work

My partner had a heart attack and a quad bypass in Dec 2013. He went back to work for a while but found it too heavy and due to shoulder and back pains was put on to ESA. He then had to attend an assessment and was told he was fit to work. He contacted unemployment only to be told that due to all his health restrictions they couldn't help him find a job, and because he is 63 and has already paid enough insurance stamp for his old age pension they would not even pay his stamp. They even advised him to try and get some light cash in hand work! We have tried tax credits, pip, council tax rebate and been rejected for all of them. I work full time but on minimum wage and am expected to keep both of us. We know of at least 2 other people in the same age group that are in the same position. We would welcome any advise as to where we could get some help, and be interested to know how many other people are in this "black hole" with us. He isn't on any government stats because he's not on sick, not unemployed not on pension or employed. Don't think they even know he exists any more. We find the situation very frustrating.
Replies
Good Evening & Welcome.
I’m so sorry that you find yourself in a right pickle.
Have you got a local CAB office????
You can also give our helpline a call & they would be more than happy in helping/supporting you.
Tel:
0808 800 3333
Email: [email protected]
Please please let me know if I can help/support you further?????I’m so sorry that the CAB wasn’t off any help!!!!!!
Have you tried our online “benefits calculator”
Please please let me know if I can help you with it ????
Welcome to the community, I am sorry to hear about your struggles.
It might be good for you to have a chat with the Scope helpline on 0808 800 3333.
@Debbie_Scope do you have any ideas?
Senior online community officer
When your partner received the fit for work decision, did he appeal the decision? If he didn't ask for a mandatory reconsideration or appeal to the tribunal, it might not be too late to appeal depending on when the decision was made. It's all very technical.
I need to get an idea of the time line involved. When did your partner go back to work, how long did he work for and when did he start his ESA claim?
When he was on ESA was he getting contributory ESA? How long passed between starting the claim and having the assessment.
I'm really sorry for all the questions. There will probably be more. If you don't want to share this information in public please send me a private message or email me at [email protected]
Best wishes
Debbie