Employment Support Allowance
Types of ESA
The 2 types of ESA are:
- contribution-based ESA – usually you get this if you’ve got enoughNational Insurance contributions
- income-related ESA – usually you get this on its own or on top of contribution-based ESA, if you’re on a low income
Contribution-based ESA
Contribution-based ESA lasts 1 year if you’re in the work-related activity group. You may be able to re-apply at least 12 weeks after your contribution-based ESA ends. You may qualify again depending on:
- National Insurance contributions you paid in different tax years
- whether your health deteriorates and you’re placed in the support group
There’s no time limit on how long you can claim contribution-basedESA if you’re in the support group.
Income-related ESA
You may qualify for income-related ESA if you no longer qualify for contribution-based ESA.
How much you get depends on your circumstances. There’s no time limit on income-related ESA.Benefits sanctions
Your ESA can be reduced if you don’t go to interviews or do work-related activity as agreed with your adviser. The reduction can continue for up to 4 weeks.
You’ll get a ‘sanction letter’. Tell your ESA adviser if you have a good reason for missing the interview.
You’ll get another letter if the decision is made to give you a sanction. Your benefit will only be affected once a decision has been made.
If you get a sanction you:
- can ask for the decision to be looked at again
- can also ask for a ‘hardship payment’ - contact Jobcentre Plus
There is a strong argument to say that this is a research to test the public reaction as well as a cost cutting process
Does the tax payer feel that a disabled or ill person require the funding?
I have written on several occasion that the monthly ONS stats do not incluse these figures clearly or indeed the Universal Credit
For more info on Employment Support Allowance check out Benefits2work.com members page
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