One Voice - for disabled people
From May 1st, budget proposals came into effect that mean many people with savings or assets may lose their ESA payments:
The DWP has begun telephoning claimants whose employment and support allowance (ESA) is due to end because of the time-limiting of contribution-based ESA for claimants in the work-related activity group (WRAG).
Claimants are now only entitled to 365 days of contribution-based ESA if they are in the WRAG.
Time spent in the assessment phase counts towards the 365 days.
The new rules are retrospective, meaning that people who have already spent a year in the WRAG on contribution-based ESA will lose their benefit from 30 April unless they are entitled to income-related ESA.
This will not be a problem for people who do not have many assets. They just need to apply immediately for income-related ESA.
But for people who have their own home, or savings or a partner in work it is a great blow.
Income-related ESA is means-tested:
Claimants who have too much income (depending on their circumstances), capital of £16,000 or more or whose partner works for 24 hours a week or more are unlikely to qualify for income-related ESA.
The DWP claim that around 60% of those affected by the changes will be entitled to some income-related ESA.
Claimants whose condition has worsened may be able to ask for their award to be looked at again if they consider they should now be in the support group, where the time limit does not apply.
Claimants in the support group will not be affected and payments of income-related ESA will also not be stopped
Wolverhampton City Council consulted with lots of disabled and Deaf citizens and others about savings and budget cuts.
They have changes some of their plans as a result of listening to people.
You can download a copy of the changes here (pdf)>>
If you want it in another format, let us know
Since we launched our online Directory version 2.0 >, we have had a number of requests for links to more information on Debt, and managing your money.
We have added more links to the Directory, we have also zipped up our debt self-help pack for you to download - it brings together some guidance from One Voice as well as helpful leaflets and forms from the National Debtline. You should only download it if you have broadband connection as it is 3.11MB>>
If you want a print copy or cd-rom, contact us
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You can download a copy of the Disabled People's Directory here>>
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