Christopher applied for NS ESA and was awarded the assessment rate. The award was backdated to the date Christopher applied.
Christopher, aged 65, hadn’t worked for 18 months and was struggling to meet his bills because of the ‘Cost of Living’ crisis. He rang Adviceline Cymru to establish what other support he might be entitled to, to improve his current standard of living.
He and his wife Sandra were living off their savings and a private pension of £68 per week. Christopher had been offered a job which he could not take up due to Sandra needing care following a cancer diagnosis.
Our adviser carried out a benefit check and determined that Christopher and his wife could be entitled to contribution-based New Style Employment Support Allowance (NS ESA) due to their health conditions, if they have paid enough National Insurance contributions. He advised Christopher to speak with his GP for a fit to work note to support the application.
Christopher applied for NS ESA and was awarded the assessment rate. The award was backdated to the date Christopher applied. He was also told that Sandra might be eligible for NS ESA and Personal Independence Payment in light of her cancer diagnosis.
The couple were given information on how to apply for Personal independence Payment (PIP). Following our help and support, Christopher and his wife were given the information, knowledge and confidence to apply for certain benefits and help maximise their household incomes.
