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Understandably, if you have to stop work because of your illness this can be a very stressful time. Financial worries can add to other concerns about your health and wellbeing.
Depending on your circumstances you may be entitled to the following benefits:
Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) replaces incapacity benefit and income support paid to those who are unable to work because of illness. As from October 2008, all new claimants have been assessed under the rules of this new benefit. Existing claimants will remain on the old benefits until they are assessed and then migrated to ESA; the Government has said that this will happen in 2009. ESA consist of the following elements:
When you claim ESA you will be paid a basic allowance and you enter a 13 week ‘assessment stage.’ During this period you will undergo a work capability assessment, which will determine whether you join the support group or the work-related activity group.
If following the work capability assessment you are placed in the support group, you will not have to undertake work related activities unless you want to do so as a volunteer. If on the other hand, you are placed in the work related activity group, you will need to meet work-related conditions. If you fail to meet these conditions, your ESA may be paid at a lower rate.
If you pay rent you may be able to get Housing Benefit. Please note that for tenants who are renting privately this is called Housing Allowance. This benefit depends on your income and on your capital.
If you have a mortgage and you get Income related ESA, you may be able to get help with your mortgage interest payments.
If you pay council tax you may be able to get Council Tax Benefit: it depends on your income and on your capital.
As you can see there are a variety of welfare benefits that you might be eligible for. If all this seems confusing don't worry: THT Direct has a team of trained advisors to help you find out what you are entitled to and how to get it.
The information contained within these pages is written for people resident in, or affected by, the laws of England and Wales only and is correct in January 2009. If you're resident in Scotland please contact THT Direct who'll put you in touch with a specialist in Scottish legislation.
This information does not constitute legal advice. If you have a legal problem you should call THT Direct to talk to an appropriately trained adviser before making a decision about what to do next. In the event that you need specialist assistance we will to to put you in contact with a specialist adviser in your area.
While every care has been taken in the compilation and construction of these pages, Terrence Higgins Trust (THT) will not be held liable for any loss, damage or other inconvenience caused as a result of any inaccuracy or error within the pages of this website. THT has no control over the content of pages external to this site and cannot be held liable for their content.
Copyright 2010 © Terrence Higgins Trust is a registered charity in England and Wales (reg. no. 288527) Company reg. no. 1778149 and a registered charity in Scotland (reg. no. SC039986)