Benefits Stopped

[Scarlett]

Not sure if this is the correct section but thought people here may have been in the same situation. Today I’ve had my benefits stopped- ESA and housing benefit. Long story but it’s linked with self employment and permitted work and rules which they admit they never told me. Rather than allow me to pay back what they say I owe, they have simply stopped my benefits. I am in the support group, get severe disablement benefit and score top on PIP care and mobility. Basically I am screwed. I do a few hours teaching a week so now have nothing coming in at all for 2 months. I don’t know how I am supposed to pay my rent/bills/ food. They gave me no advice at all. So, I need to know what I’m supposed to do now. I’ve been on the verge of tears all day but determined to fight this. What sort of government would cut all income from the lowest earner in society, and most disabled? Any ideas gratefully received!

[fiction-factory]

I assume you had been getting more than you were entitled to when your earnings were taken into account. I thought there was something called permitted earnings or similar but maybe yours doesn't qualify.

[fiction-factory]

What do you mean by 'a few hours'? It must have added up to pretty large sum over time if they need to stop HB and ESA for awhile to allow them to recover the overpayments. Had you declared the earnings?

[sherrardk]

I think you need specialist help here, they make it so complicated. Citizen’s advice is probably your best bet but I have seen something about asking for ‘mandatory reconsideration’ but I have no idea what this involves.

[Buenchico]

You might find something useful (even if it's only contact information for a local adviser, who can then help you) on the Turn2Us website:
https://www.turn2us.org.uk/Get-Support/Information-and-help

[Scarlett]

fiction-factory; it is to do with self employment and expenses. The rules for ESA claimants who do self employed permitted work and completely different to the standard Inland Revenue ones. Nobody had told me this, so with the new calculations it worked out as I had earned too much. This isn't the issue; I am more than happy for them to take back what they think I owe, from my ESA. But instead of this, they have just stopped my benefits so I have nothing at all to live on. As I only work term time, it is a long time now until I earn anything more.

[Scarlett]

Thank you Buenchico- I will have a look.

[Scarlett]

Sherrardk- yes, I will be asking for one, and if not successful, I will be appealing. I wondered if anyone here had been in the same boat with benefits randomly being stopped, leaving them with nothing. They didn't give me any advice re. food banks etc

[Jackdaw33]

Surely in this day and age there are mechanisms that can be put in place to recoup overpaynents ib reasonable manner without leaving someone penniless. This soundslike a case for your MP.

[nailit]

Scarlett.
Am in a similar position at the mo.
Have been doing 'permited work' whilst on ESA. Currently going through the process of medicals etc. Every forum that Ive been on has basically said that its all a scam and don't do it. Foolishly, I did it as I want to work but within the parimiters of what I feel that Im currently available to do. Its turning out to be a nightmare.
Wish you all the best and will follow this thread with interest.

[sherrardk]

Himself lost his job at the end of May and we had to apply for universal credit which got messed up and we had no money coming in for 9 weeks, we had to ask for an advance against our first payment (but they don’t tell you how much the first payment is going to be). Fortunately he has now got a new job but it was really stressful.

[nailit]

Scarlett, I also posted a few weeks ago a similar post regarding having to claim UC whilst doing part time work. People were under the impression that I would still get my housing benefit etc paid and advised me to use an online benefit calculator and to get in touch with C.A.B.
I did. And Im stuffed if I get kicked of ESA.
I will be able to pay my rent, a portion of my council tax and bus fares to work but will basically be left with nothing to live on after paying my bills.
'Permitted work' is a scam.

[Scarlett]

Nailit- that's really bad. I kind of think that they deliberately stopped my ESA so that I am forced to re-apply, but can only now apply for UC as that's what is now in place. So can you not do permitted work whilst on UC in the same way as with ESA?

[andy-hughes]

Jackdaw - // Surely in this day and age there are mechanisms that can be put in place to recoup overpaynents ib reasonable manner without leaving someone penniless. //

You'd think so, but these decisions are dreamed up and implemented by suits who understand about as much about the impact of stopped benefits as I do about the backside of the moon.

[nailit]

//So can you not do permitted work whilst on UC in the same way as with ESA? //
Apparenty so, but you wont be any better off than been unemployed and claiming UC. For every £1 you earn they will take 63p of you.
So maybe 'slightly' better off.

Sad thing is that so many people seem to be under the impression that you will be so much more better off but take off ur bus fares to work you will be left with nothing to live on.

[Scarlett]

sherrardk- Yes, they make it as difficult as they possibly can. They don't want anyone to be on benefits and the disabled people are easier to kick when they're down than those on Job Seekers.

[Buenchico]

>>> They didn't give me any advice re. food banks etc

While some food banks might accept direct approaches from people who're desperate for food, the majority probably require people to have a voucher from a 'referral agency'. For many people that's likely to be their local CAB.

Looking through your old posts suggests that you might be in, or near to, Canterbury. Contact details for Canterbury CAB are here
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/local/canterbury-district/contact-us/?serialnumber=100866
and information about Canterbury Food Bank can be found here:
https://www.canterburyfoodbank.org/need_food.html

[nailit]

There are are some people (known as Tory voters) that seem to think its all good!
My Sister for one. Voted Tory all her life. And worked all her life including a stint in the army. She has one yr left to retire and developed a work related illness...after giving 30 yrs of her life to her work... so that she was unable to work. She was turned down for benefits. Now has to survive on her savings.
But You get what you vote for I suppose.

[Theland]

My sympathy to you and to Nailit.
One of my sons who is disabled has been through this before, and the bank of Mum and Dad had to support him. He is now in the process of changing from DLA to PIP so the next few weeks will be a nightmare.
Have you any family who can help?

[Theland]

Yes we have Cameron and May to thank for this heartless bureaucracy.