- Posts: 51284
× Members
ESA transfer from SDA/IS topup
- Annubis
- Topic Author
10 years 2 months ago - 10 years 2 months ago #130989 by Annubis
ESA transfer from SDA/IS topup was created by Annubis
Hello, I have received a letter notifying a transfer to ESA, and a phone call, I am no awaiting the form. My Doctor of 20 years recently retired and he was very supportive of my issues.
Sadly, the GP who has overtaken is awful. He has no clue, does not know my whole conditions and simply does not listen. As an example, he has failed to examine my abdomen which is extremely bloated, I am currently surviving off Complan as I can not eat. Due to this I am changing GP - this was decided a week before the letter came, as this current medical condition needs diagnosing as it is making me very poorly, and I am struggling to hang on in there.
I am currently waiting to hear from my new GP of whether I will be accepted. The ESA 50 form is on its way. I am now in a panic. If they contact my new GP they may not get a suitable answer since the new GP will not "know" me, if I stay with the current GP his report will mean nothing and will hinder the application no doubt.
I do not want to ask my new GP about supporting my claim as I have not even seen them yet and it seems cheeky to do this on a first visit or two, which I would need to do given the current timescale.
My question is, given the current GP situation, would it be better for my husband to claim IS topup for us both with his CA instead of going the ESA route? Would this be seen as avoiding ESA by the DWP? I know the drawback to doing this is if ever my husband was to come off carers, for whatever reason, then I would need to apply for ESA anyway.
I am bedbound mostly, my daughter has even had to come home from Uni 3 months ago permanently to help with my care. However I am worried a botched GP report may cause issues. What is the best course of action at the moment? I was just thinking going the carers/IS route would take the GP pressure off and give tine for my new GP to get familiar with my needs, but would this be viewed negatively by the DWP? Thanks.
Sadly, the GP who has overtaken is awful. He has no clue, does not know my whole conditions and simply does not listen. As an example, he has failed to examine my abdomen which is extremely bloated, I am currently surviving off Complan as I can not eat. Due to this I am changing GP - this was decided a week before the letter came, as this current medical condition needs diagnosing as it is making me very poorly, and I am struggling to hang on in there.
I am currently waiting to hear from my new GP of whether I will be accepted. The ESA 50 form is on its way. I am now in a panic. If they contact my new GP they may not get a suitable answer since the new GP will not "know" me, if I stay with the current GP his report will mean nothing and will hinder the application no doubt.
I do not want to ask my new GP about supporting my claim as I have not even seen them yet and it seems cheeky to do this on a first visit or two, which I would need to do given the current timescale.
My question is, given the current GP situation, would it be better for my husband to claim IS topup for us both with his CA instead of going the ESA route? Would this be seen as avoiding ESA by the DWP? I know the drawback to doing this is if ever my husband was to come off carers, for whatever reason, then I would need to apply for ESA anyway.
I am bedbound mostly, my daughter has even had to come home from Uni 3 months ago permanently to help with my care. However I am worried a botched GP report may cause issues. What is the best course of action at the moment? I was just thinking going the carers/IS route would take the GP pressure off and give tine for my new GP to get familiar with my needs, but would this be viewed negatively by the DWP? Thanks.
Last edit: 10 years 2 months ago by . Reason: tick.
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- Gordon
- Offline
Less More
10 years 2 months ago #131003 by Gordon
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by Gordon on topic ESA transfer from SDA/IS topup
Annubis
Whilst going the IS route is an option you should consider carefully before using it.
First you need to get face to face advice from a qualified advisor to see how much you would receive with IS.
Secondly you need to be aware of future issues with this route. At some point Income Support claims will be transferred into the Universal Credit system this may not be to your long term advantage, an advisor can explain this to you.
Also, as you have not worked for some time, if you need to reclaim ESA then you will only be able to make a claim for Income Related ESA, as it stands, if successful, you will be transferred to Contribution Based ESA.
You will remain on SDA until a Decision is made on whether you will be transferred to ESA, so there is no urgency for you to make a decision on what benefit to claim yet.
It may be worth you getting a copy of your medical records from your current GP Practice this will offer you access to evidence you may be able to use in your claim. See
Requesting your medical records
Charging for medical records
Gordon
Whilst going the IS route is an option you should consider carefully before using it.
First you need to get face to face advice from a qualified advisor to see how much you would receive with IS.
Secondly you need to be aware of future issues with this route. At some point Income Support claims will be transferred into the Universal Credit system this may not be to your long term advantage, an advisor can explain this to you.
Also, as you have not worked for some time, if you need to reclaim ESA then you will only be able to make a claim for Income Related ESA, as it stands, if successful, you will be transferred to Contribution Based ESA.
You will remain on SDA until a Decision is made on whether you will be transferred to ESA, so there is no urgency for you to make a decision on what benefit to claim yet.
It may be worth you getting a copy of your medical records from your current GP Practice this will offer you access to evidence you may be able to use in your claim. See
Requesting your medical records
Charging for medical records
Gordon
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
The following user(s) said Thank You: Annubis
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- Annubis
- Topic Author
10 years 2 months ago #131028 by Annubis
Replied by Annubis on topic ESA transfer from SDA/IS topup
Thank you Gordon. Jusy one question, won't ESA be transferred to UC eventually? My husband claiming IS topup will have no effect on amount received, it would be the same.
I have plenty of appointment letters but will apply for medical records, though, if changing GP, would I need to await to get in the new GP practice? I am hoping the new GP contacts me this week so the changeover will be soon.
Thanks.
I have plenty of appointment letters but will apply for medical records, though, if changing GP, would I need to await to get in the new GP practice? I am hoping the new GP contacts me this week so the changeover will be soon.
Thanks.
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- Gordon
- Offline
Less More
- Posts: 51284
10 years 2 months ago #131033 by Gordon
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by Gordon on topic ESA transfer from SDA/IS topup
Annubis
You should not assume that IS will pay the same as ESA(IR), there are definitely circumstances where you would receive more on ESA, although this would be dependant on your personal circumstances at the time, that is why I advise you get face to face advise from someone who can calculate what you might receive.
Income Related ESA will at some time, under current plans, be absorbed into Universal Credit as will Income Support. Contribution Based ESA will remain as a separate benefit. We are some considerable way off of this actually happening.
I would make the request now for the records, if you intend to do it, as transferring GP's may mean that they are unavailable for some considerable time.
Gordon
You should not assume that IS will pay the same as ESA(IR), there are definitely circumstances where you would receive more on ESA, although this would be dependant on your personal circumstances at the time, that is why I advise you get face to face advise from someone who can calculate what you might receive.
Income Related ESA will at some time, under current plans, be absorbed into Universal Credit as will Income Support. Contribution Based ESA will remain as a separate benefit. We are some considerable way off of this actually happening.
I would make the request now for the records, if you intend to do it, as transferring GP's may mean that they are unavailable for some considerable time.
Gordon
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
The following user(s) said Thank You: Annubis
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- Annubis
- Topic Author
10 years 2 months ago #131063 by Annubis
Replied by Annubis on topic ESA transfer from SDA/IS topup
Hi Gordon, I wasn't assuming, I had already inquired about rates.
Contribution ESA may make us worse off, since dentist and prescriptions would need to be paid for. As I get a lot of prescription items and have regular dental visits this could be very costly.
Thanks for your time.
Contribution ESA may make us worse off, since dentist and prescriptions would need to be paid for. As I get a lot of prescription items and have regular dental visits this could be very costly.
Thanks for your time.
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- Gordon
- Offline
Less More
- Posts: 51284
10 years 2 months ago #131075 by Gordon
Yes, but you may be entitled to an ESA(IR) top-up to your ESA(CB), which is why I made the comment.
Gordon
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by Gordon on topic ESA transfer from SDA/IS topup
Annubis wrote: Hi Gordon, I wasn't assuming, I had already inquired about rates.
Contribution ESA may make us worse off, since dentist and prescriptions would need to be paid for. As I get a lot of prescription items and have regular dental visits this could be very costly.
Thanks for your time.
Yes, but you may be entitled to an ESA(IR) top-up to your ESA(CB), which is why I made the comment.
Gordon
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
The following user(s) said Thank You: Jennifer Gray, Annubis
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
Moderators: , Gordon, Gary, BIS, Catherine, Wendy, Kelly, greekqueen, peter, Katherine, Super User, Chris, David