Local MP, Dr Howard Stoate, is asking local people to provide details of their experience, and those of their friends and relatives, of applying for and receiving Employment Support Allowance (ESA).

ESA was launched by the Government in October 2008, with the ultimate aim of replacing Incapacity Benefit (IB).  People who would previously have claimed IB now lodge a claim for ESA.  The aim of this new benefit is to assess what type of work a person is capable of doing, rather than what they are not capable of doing.  Applicants are given a Work Capability Assessment which assesses their ability to work, and are then placed in one of two groups or deemed capable of working.

The Support group is for those who are deemed unable to work, and recipients then receive higher benefits than they would had they received IB.  If they are deemed potentially capable of working, applicants are placed in the Work Related Activity group, where they receive additional assistance in obtaining employment which meets their needs.  Applicants who are deemed capable of working must instead claim for Job Seekers Allowance.

Talking about the issue, Dr Stoate said, "Given that ESA has now been in place for just over a year, I am interested to know what peoples' experiences of it are.  To my mind, one of the flaws of Incapacity Benefit was its ability to sweep up those who could work with those who couldn't.  ESA should in theory allow people greater opportunities to work by offering them the additional help and assistance they need to obtain work."

"However, like any new system, there is room for problems to occur.  It is for this reason that I am asking people to provide me with their experiences of dealing with Jobcentre Plust and claiming this benefit.  Alternatively, if you know someone who has claimed it, I'd be interested to hear about their experiences, both positive and negative."

You can provide details about your experiences by completing the form below.  Please be as accurate as you can about your experiences, good or bad.  All details you provide will be treated in the strictest confidence, and you will not be identified in anyway should your comments be used in future work by Dr Stoate.

Fields marked with an asterisk (*) must be completed.