Hi
Just wondering if any of you successfully claimed for ESA?.
I’ve not worked for a couple of months, and whilst I am aiming to gradually start work next week, I’m self employed so have had no money coming in.
The ESA booklet looks quite intimidating and whilst it says if you’ve been diagnosed with cancer you don’t have to complete all the questions it doesn’t specify which questions or all questions. The questions are things like can you put a coat on a coat hook.
You also have a telephone interview.
I’ve heard it’s quite stressful and I’m not sure is it worth it, if it feels like an interrogation and if you can touch your head it means you’re fit to work…
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I have and it’s pretty straightforward. The form was easy enough and my phone call was with a very friendly lady. She said I would have follow up calls but I never have. You can also continue to claim as you start back to work as long as you aren’t earning over a certain amount which is super helpful. Don’t be intimidated by it, it’s not much but it helps x
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Citizens Advice bureau (CAB) can help with advice and completion of the application - some areas have a Macmillan CAB which specialises in advice for anyone with a cancer diagnosis. They’ll also be able to advise if eligible for any additional support.
(I worked for CAB in a previous life and this was was my area of expertise)
Good luck getting the help you need x
Hi @tuttifrutti
I’m not sure what the difference is but when I was diagnosed I applied for universal credit. They gave me a form for the hospital to fill out to confirm the diagnosis. Then they gave me the limited capacity to work element as well. I am only able to work part time so they top up my wages which is such a relief. Also when I need time off for surgery and can’t work the UC goes up whilst off.
MacMillan CAB helped with what I could apply for.
Not sure if this info is of any benefit to you but thought I would let you know in case.
Hope you manage to get something sorted financially though.
Hi re ESA. Just before my diagnosis i left work for my own mental health ( 20yrs NHS frontline - I’d just had enough of the new management expectations). I was diagnosed with BC after 6weeks of leaving. My hairdresser told me i should apply as i had no income by this point. I applied and it was very straight forward. Rsceived a phone call from a llovely lady at the job centre. She took further details as i had been given more info etc. Within 2 weeks i had been accepted onto the work capability group and paid with backpay, this was September. By November I received a letter saying I had been placed in the higher group and was therefore not capable of work. Apparently they had contacted the GP and BC Nurse for further info. I had to ring in December as there was aan overpayment, which couldnt work out. This is an indefinite award as Cancer comes under Disability Act. If you have paid your NIC stamp whether employed or self employed do look at this. Even if your sick pay is coming to an end, they will help. Its the new style ESA.