Stopping work

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.

Getting benefits

Depending on your circumstances you may be entitled to the following benefits:

• Employment and Support Allowance
• Housing Benefit / Housing Allowance
• Housing costs
• Council Tax benefit.

Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)

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:

1. Contributory ESA: This replaces incapacity benefit and is linked to your national insurance record. Before you can get contributory ESA, the Department of Work and Pension (DWP) will need to assess whether you have paid sufficient national insurance.
2. Income-related ESA: This replaces income support paid on the ground of illness. Before you can get income-related ESA, the DWP will look at your savings, capital and any other income you may have, to see whether these exceed a certain amount. Like income support help with your mortgage interest payment is paid under Income-related ESA.

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.

Housing Benefit / Housing allowance and housing costs

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.

Council Tax Benefit

If you pay council tax you may be able to get Council Tax Benefit: it depends on your income and on your capital.

How we can help

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.