appointment at jobcenter to see what benefits ?

Hi my boyfriend is 60 on Friday. he learned yesterday, that the pension he had been living off since he was 55 when he could no longer work due to very badly damaged back, has suffered in the financial crash so cuts out at 60. He has worked abroad for most of his life.

He want to his local jobcenter today and they made an appointment for him at his local job centre plus for Friday ( day he is 60 ha ha ) to decide what benefits he is entitled to. What can he say at this meeting that will at least get him onto temporary ESA so he can fill in the form following your guidance. I am an old hand at this having been on ESA for some while.

Sorry this is so long winded

In order to start the claim for ESA one has only to fill in an ESA1 form giving basic details. this would give access to the assessment rate until a decision has been made (which would involve filling out the ESA50 form +/- a face2face assessment).

There are other requirements, such as NI contributions and/or financial situation that would determine whether ESA can be awarded in the first place.

Thank you. Any idea why he has to have a jobcenter meeting to assess which benefit he can claim for rather than simply be given the form to fill in?

I'm afraid not Fiona - but at least this will mean that you will know all the options.

thank you