'I feel sick to my stomach over ESA claim because looking for work is terrifying'

A claimant said they were concerned about ESA
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A benefit claimant has told how they feel 'sick to their stomach' over their claim for Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) because they are worried they will be 'forced to work'. The claimant, who is in their 30s, said that they previously were in full-time employment.

But they are now disabled and 'physically cannot work'. The claimant explained how their health means they struggle to move around their home.

They already receive Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and have now submitted a claim for ESA. But the claimant said they felt 'unsure' about their claim and feared a coach from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) would ask them to commit to looking for work.

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Job hunting 'feels terrifying', the claimant added. On a Reddit post titled 'Feeling sick to my stomach about all this (PIP & ESA)', they wrote: "I worked from the age of 15 up until last year when something happened to me and as a result I am now disabled.

"I recently got awarded PIP (enhanced rate) and was encouraged to apply for ESA. So I applied, and now I'm waiting to hear about that, but I just feel very unsure about the whole process.

"I physically cannot work (I can barely get around my home), so the prospect of someone in the DWP trying to force me into some kind of commitment to look for work feels terrifying. It's been a shellshock going from being someone who actively worked full time and had an active life, to now being someone who can barely leave the house and has to rely on the government to essentially keep me from being homeless.

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"Generally, how is the ESA process? Does anyone who's gone through the process have any advice for what I should expect? Does having already been awarded PIP put me in better stead?"

One person responded and said they were in the 'same boat'. They said: "I would love to work but my conditions have completely changed who I am I used to work abroad etc and now at 43 my body is failing me and the thought of having to fill in looking for work journals is very intimidating as if you fail to do it they sanction you."

Another shared their experience and said: "I didn't need an assessment with ESA because I was awarded pip (standard on both parts) at tribunal while waiting for ESA assessment. I also automatically got accepted for UC limited capability for work & work related activity after my pip was awarded, if you haven't already you should apply for UC too.

"Good luck and I hope my experience helps you feel better!" A third person said people awarded PIP are often eligible for other support and encouraged the claimant to look into the 'gateway' benefit.

They said: "I am glad that you have managed to get PIP, as it can be a gateway to other things. Have you spoken to occupational therapy and adult social care. There are things they can help with.

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"You may be able to get a blue badge, which then means if you have a family member take you somewhere parking is free if you display it."

According to Gov.uk, you can apply for New Style ESA if you are under State Pension age and have a disability or health condition that affects how much you can work. You must have previously been employed or self-employed and paid enough National Insurance contributions, usually in the last two to three years.

It said: "You’ll be placed into one of two groups if you're entitled to ESA. If you're able to get back into work in the future, you'll be put into the work-related activity group. Otherwise, you’ll be put into the support group.

"You’ll get up to £90.50 a week if you’re in the work-related activity group; up to £138.20 a week if you’re in the support group." If you are eligible, the DWP will contact you within 10 working days to arrange an appointment.

Usually, it is over the phone with a work coach from your local Jobcentre Plus but can sometimes be face-to-face. A work coach will go through what is required of you and create what is called a 'claimant commitment' - which you must agree to before you are paid.