ESA or PIp

Hi all I have not posted on here before so I'm hoping someone will be able to impart their vast knowledge of the system to me. Long story/short version..... I have CFS/ME and Fibromyalgia as well as depression and arthritis. I had to take ill health retirement from my much loved job and am now officially unemployed , first time since 16 years. I went onto SSP last September and was then awarded contributions based ESa until this coming September. I rang the benfits agency to find out what happens then and apparently I am waiting in line to be sent for an appointment? Will this be to see if I am to be placed in a support group or work based group? Also should I claim PIP I presume this is instead of ESA and is one better to claim than the other? I was awarded Ill health retirement from my job on health grounds and was given a Tier 2 which basically means I would struggle to maintain any employment of 'Like Duration' elsewhere.

I keep looking at the PIP stuff and really don't know where to start or should I wait to see what happens when I'm called for interview? Bit ;lost with it all so thank you for your advice.
Jo

cc wrote: Hi all I have not posted on here before so I'm hoping someone will be able to impart their vast knowledge of the system to me. Long story/short version..... I have CFS/ME and Fibromyalgia as well as depression and arthritis. I had to take ill health retirement from my much loved job and am now officially unemployed , first time since 16 years. I went onto SSP last September and was then awarded contributions based ESa until this coming September. I rang the benfits agency to find out what happens then and apparently I am waiting in line to be sent for an appointment? Will this be to see if I am to be placed in a support group or work based group? Also should I claim PIP I presume this is instead of ESA and is one better to claim than the other? I was awarded Ill health retirement from my job on health grounds and was given a Tier 2 which basically means I would struggle to maintain any employment of 'Like Duration' elsewhere.

I keep looking at the PIP stuff and really don't know where to start or should I wait to see what happens when I'm called for interview? Bit ;lost with it all so thank you for your advice.
Jo

Hi cc,

I have read your previous post : Here, and Gordon's response to that query.

It seems from today's post that you were not in the WRAG of ESA in receipt of Contribution Based (CB) ESA as Gordon assumed, but were still in The Assessment Phase.

His advice still stands with regards to being financially assessed for payment of Income Related (IR) ESA when you have exhausted your 365 days entitlement to payment of CB ESA whilst not in The Support Group. (SG)

When you are eventually assessed, if placed into The WRAG, the extra WRA Component addition should be back dated to the start of week 14 of your claim.

It would be paid as arrears until the date that you exhausted your 365 days entitlement.

If you were not entitled to payment of IR ESA, you would receive no further payment of CB ESA after the end date of the 365 day period.

This decision would be open to appeal, and you would receive NI Credits only towards your State Pension once payments of CB ESA ceased.

If you are placed into The SG when assessed, again the SG Component addition would be backdated to the start of week 14 of your claim, and you would receive arrears from that date.

As there is no 365 days limit for receipt of CB ESA whilst in The SG, payments of CB ESA would continue for as long as you remained in The SG :

See : 12 Month Limit for ESA(CB)

From our : ESA FAQ’s

Have you thought of contacting The DWP or The Centre for Health and Disability Assessments (CHDA) (Maximus) who took over the ESA WCA Contract from ATOS on 02/03/15, to see whether you can expedite an assessment ?

The Assessment Phase is only "supposed" to last 13 weeks.

However, we have heard from several members who have waited over 12 months.

You may also wish to peruse our : ESA Claims Guides to gain a better understanding of how the assessment process works.

ESA and PIP are two totally separate "Benefits" with totally separate qualifying criteria.

Many people apply for and receive both, so being in receipt of ESA does not preclude a PIP Award as well.

ESA tests your "capability" for work hence the ESA assessment is known as The Works Capability Assessment. (WCA)

PIP assesses how your disability affects you with respect to Care/Daily Living and limitations with Walking (Moving Around) and mental health issues which may limit your ability to "Go Out". (Going Out)

PIP Awards can even be made to claimants who work full time.

There is therefore nothing to stop you making a claim for PIP !

See : PIP Self Test

&

PIP Claims Guide. (2nd Link on page)

Please reply to this topic if you have any further queries.

bro58