Re: This sick government
 

I'm confused ,he had a lower benefit stopped but qualifies for a higher benefit with more money (£100 more per month more) ,what's the problem .Unless of course the Mail is embellishing the facts here .

Also he was on ESA which has been stopped, so he must have been looking for work because ESA is for people who are assessed as capable of work isn't it ?

does someone on these benefits want to clear up this confusion please

Re: This sick government
 

There are two sorts of ESA (contributions and non contributions)

It's like me with incapacity benefit - I still get that (as I am contributions) whatever amount Natalie gets paid.

on ESA however contributions based ESA is time limited.

So what I'm saying is I get the equivalent of contributions ESA if I'm looking for work or I'm not (but I am).

Re: This sick government
 

Cheers Dilli ,that's as clear as mud .;)

what's this bloke on then and what's the benefit he qualifies for with more money ?

Re: This sick government
 

This also explains it... http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/englan..._allowance.pdf

But I doubt if anyone can understand it all first off. Must be designed to be confusing.

---------- Post added at 18:46 ---------- Previous post was at 18:45 ----------

DLA (Disability Living Allowance) is a seperate benefit altogether, which will soon change to PIP.

So those that are deemed too sick to work, could get DLA and ESA under the Support Group criteria, both are not means tested.

Re: This sick government
 

Yup my DLA went up about £50 a week when I was registered blind - but I gave up the extra (mobility component) to get a car under the motability scheme.

As for clear as mud, you should try and understand it all if you claim it ;).

Re: This sick government
 

So he qualifies for DLA which will give him an extra £100 per month whether he works or not or at least he does according to the mail

Re: This sick government
 

You can continue to get DLA if you work - yup.

Also DLA is not counted as income when applying for things like rent / tax benefit.

Re: This sick government
 

So am i right in thinking he is better off on DLA ?

Re: This sick government
 

You would be better off on them both. Without qualifying for ESA, he would have to look for work. He would end up on JSA (Job Seekers Allowance). That is means tested. But what chance has someone like that is ever going to be employed.

Also not qualifying for ESA 'could' result in losing all or some of your DLA.

Re: This sick government
 

So he would still have to look for work on DLA ? the only real difference is he is £100 better off or am i totally mis understanding the system

Re: This sick government
 

You don't need to look for work when claiming DLA.

Re: This sick government
 

Yes, he'll be classed as fit enough to work. If he's on DLA now, then that could be looked into and could lose a lot more.

You could qualify for ESA but still not qualify for DLA. Both are seperate benefits that you have to meet a strict criteria for both.

As Dilli says, you don't have to look for work on DLA as that is totally seperate to ESA as that is based on work capabilities.

Re: This sick government
 

I must admit I'm thinking something isn't adding up somewhere.

It's like the blind bloke who got 'tasered' - It just doesn't add up to me.

Still what would I know :)

Re: This sick government
 

I think it depends on what he put on his ESA50 form. If he didn't give any evidence or didn't bother to fill in all the questions, then he would be called to be assessed. As he turned up to the assessment unaided, then to say he is fit enough because he turned up is a bit suspect.

I agree that something doesn't add up on this story.

Re: This sick government
 

What makes me laugh, I remember back in 2009 Labour were talking about doing this, so it isn't something that just the Coalition have done. They have simply carried on with the idea.

If it catches those out who don't deserve to have disability benefit then good. I do feel sorry for those who will be in genuine need of it but will not be eligible for it. A neighbour told me when I was diagnosed with diabetes that I should claim disability for it, but as I can manage to do things myself without any aid then I don't see why I should claim for it.