Changing from IB to ESA

[Bev250264]

Hi all

 

Can someone please help me? I've been on IB for about 10 years. I've got chronic RA and osteoporosis and have undergone 5 hip replacements. I recently received the Limited Capability for Work Questionnaire and today received their decision. they've transferred me onto ESA and placed me in the WRAG. What does this mean exactly?

 

I'd dearly love to go back to work but don't see it as an option anytime soon due to the fluctuating nature of my illness. My medical team agree with me.

 

What should I do? Should I appeal the decision?

 

If yes, what sort of things should I put in the letter?

 

Thanks

 

B x

[Nystagmite]

It means that a return to work in the future might be possible for you. They (at some point) will be helping you take steps into preparing you for work.

[Bev250264]

But will it ultimately affect my benefits? I've had a scary conversation with someone who's told me that I'll only get ESA for 365 days and then it'll stop. Surely that's not right....

[Nystagmite]

Contributions based ESA for people in WRAG will stop after 365 days.

[MIKEY DABODEE]

But after that you may be entitled to ESA IB if you satisfy the conditions of entitledment.

[Bev250264]

Hi Mikey, so what is that exactly? My specialist nurse at the hospital is not happy as he doesn't think I'm well enough to work and it would have a detrimental effect on my condition. We filled in the questionnaire and he was sure that the answers we gave were more than enough to indicate my physical frailties. If I lost my IB after 12 months and I wasn't working (I have a degenerative disease so it can and will only get worse) it would have a real impact on our income.

 

What should I do? Any ideas?

[Nystagmite]

You can appeal; but you must meet the criteria for the support group to appeal. So, you can't appeal on the basis that your consultant believes you're unfit for work.

[Bev250264]

OK, sorry to sound so vague but I'm new to all this. My consultant got me onto IB in the first place so don't know really how all this works. So how would I find out if I meet the criteria. As I said I've already filled out the limited capability for work questionnaire and I've asked for them to send me a written copy of their decision. Is that as much as I can do at the moment? One other thing. Are they likely to take my motability car away as well?

[Nystagmite]

http://www.dls.org.uk/advice/factsheet/welfare_benefits/employment%20support%20allowance/Employment%20Support%20Allowance%20-After%2028th%20March%202011.pdf Page 13 and below. It's the schedule 3 thing you need to look at.

[Bev250264]

thanks