Originally Posted by Keith1963

Hi Keith, you should be aware that in law you cannot claim your ESA support group allowance abroad, so any permanent move would have to factor in not receiving this benefit. You can claim it for 4 weeks when abroad but have to advise your job centre plus if your circumstances change. Of course many people find a way round this to continue claiming their benefits, which I wouldn't encourage, but it happens. You would have to seek guidance on your personal independence claim but it is usually withdrawn with the exception of the daily living allowance part and that is decided by job centre plus. The 4 week living abroad rule also applies.

Hate to be the bearer of bad news but it is increasingly getting more difficult for people to claim benefits abroad, especially in your benefit stream as they are paid to people in the uk to manage their daily lives to a set criteria, and moving to Spain with all the disability clauses in the PIP allowance means you could be fit for work. You would have to work out the potential to retire here with your HM forces pension alone - and then your forthcoming govt pension and any other non benefits savings you have.

For your information.

Originally Posted by missile

DUH, I think you have just proved my point. Just because OP is disabled need not restrict their choice.

Originally Posted by Lou P.

No. I wasn't disabled when I came and one of the many reasons I regret having come is the treatment and lack of support for disabled people. The O.P. asked for opinions - I've given mine, which is the same as two others' (so quarrel with them instead, if that's what you want.)

Originally Posted by Lou P.

No. I wasn't disabled when I came and one of the many reasons I regret having come is the treatment and lack of support for disabled people. The O.P. asked for opinions - I've given mine, which is the same as two others' (so quarrel with them instead, if that's what you want.)

Originally Posted by Leper

Just to add more insensitivity but I hear many many people wanting to spend six months in Spain in the off season. Great, but six months is a long time. Why not try out Spain @ six weeks at a time and keep options open? Accommodation is easy to pick up. The price per month in the off season is not going to jump because of six week rentals. I know several people (including me) who would be delighted with the occasional six week rental every year in the off season.

Originally Posted by Keith1963

Hi Keith, you should be aware that in law you cannot claim your ESA support group allowance abroad, so any permanent move would have to factor in not receiving this benefit. You can claim it for 4 weeks when abroad but have to advise your job centre plus if your circumstances change. Of course many people find a way round this to continue claiming their benefits, which I wouldn't encourage, but it happens. You would have to seek guidance on your personal independence claim but it is usually withdrawn with the exception of the daily living allowance part and that is decided by job centre plus. The 4 week living abroad rule also applies.

Hate to be the bearer of bad news but it is increasingly getting more difficult for people to claim benefits abroad, especially in your benefit stream as they are paid to people in the uk to manage their daily lives to a set criteria, and moving to Spain with all the disability clauses in the PIP allowance means you could be fit for work. You would have to work out the potential to retire here with your HM forces pension alone - and then your forthcoming govt pension and any other non benefits savings you have.

For your information.

Originally Posted by battlezone123

You are partly wrong. ESA can either be contribution based or income related. If you are in receipt of CB-ESA you can move to any EU country and still retain the payments. With regards to PIP you can keep the carers part but any mobility award will be withdrawn. Payment of Carers Allowance can also be paid if you are in receipt of CB ESA. I know this does not apply to the OP but if you are in receipt of CB ESA this opens up other benefits which can be claimed including Child Benefit and Child Tax Credits. As if you were in the UK you still have to go through the same health assessments in the EU country of residence. Another thing that people might not know, who are below retirement age, but are in receipt of a Contribution-Based benefit this will entitle you to a S1 for you and any dependents.

Originally Posted by battlezone123

You are partly wrong. ESA can either be contribution based or income related. If you are in receipt of CB-ESA you can move to any EU country and still retain the payments. With regards to PIP you can keep the carers part but any mobility award will be withdrawn. Payment of Carers Allowance can also be paid if you are in receipt of CB ESA. I know this does not apply to the OP but if you are in receipt of CB ESA this opens up other benefits which can be claimed including Child Benefit and Child Tax Credits. As if you were in the UK you still have to go through the same health assessments in the EU country of residence. Another thing that people might not know, who are below retirement age, but are in receipt of a Contribution-Based benefit this will entitle you to a S1 for you and any dependents.

Originally Posted by Keith1963

The question was in relation to ESA, not carers allowance or any other allowance, benefit. The contribution based Esa as well as mean tested Esa is the same and the four week rule applies. You have to apply to job centre plus for changes, having practised in this law area and criminal law for most off my life I can assure you this is accurate. And for CB based ESA there is no health assessment, a medical note suffices. Please don't confuse the issue, you are all over the place with your advice which is confusing for the OP. Keep it simple and look at the information you are being supplied with and not what you think it is.

Originally Posted by Rosemary

Sorry if this is insensitive but would it be possible for you to elaborate on what is available for disabled people here in Spain compared what a disabled person could expect to receive in the UK? I understand if you do not want to go into details so ignore me if you wish I will not take offence.

Rosemary

Originally Posted by Keith1963

The question was in relation to ESA, not carers allowance or any other allowance, benefit. The contribution based Esa as well as mean tested Esa is the same and the four week rule applies. You have to apply to job centre plus for changes, having practised in this law area and criminal law for most off my life I can assure you this is accurate. And for CB based ESA there is no health assessment, a medical note suffices. Please don't confuse the issue, you are all over the place with your advice which is confusing for the OP. Keep it simple and look at the information you are being supplied with and not what you think it is.

Originally Posted by Daveinspain

Going abroad for more than a year

You can get contribution-based ESA in the EEA or Switzerland if you’re eligible and if you’ve paid enough National Insurance contributions.

Help and advice on ESA

International Pension Centre
Telephone: +44 (0)191 218 7117
Find out about call charges
And I imagine the medical assessment form I have to get my specialist to complete is a figment of my imagination.As was the trip I made to a DWP appointed Doctor.

Originally Posted by battlezone123

You are wrong and I am not the person giving incorrect information. The DWP
https://www.gov.uk/claim-benefits-ab...ility-benefits

Going abroad for more than a year

You can get contribution-based ESA in the EEA or Switzerland if you’re eligible and if you’ve paid enough National Insurance contributions.


Of course there is a health assessment for CB-ESA. In the UK the assessment was carried out by Capita (now Maximus) and you are awarded ESA based on your medical and how it affects your day to day life with a review date being given. I had my medical assessment completed in Lugo.

I have been in receipt of Incapacity Benefit and then CB ESA for the past 10 years. And all this time I have lived in Spain. And as I said above because I am in receipt of CB ESA I can claim Carers Allowance, Child Benefit and Child Tax Credit.

You may have practised in this law but I suggest it is time you updated your knowledge about this matter because you are incorrect. I just hope that you have not been parting your "knowledge" to other people and they would have lost out.

Originally Posted by Keith1963

Hi Keith, you should be aware that in law you cannot claim your ESA support group allowance abroad, so any permanent move would have to factor in not receiving this benefit. You can claim it for 4 weeks when abroad but have to advise your job centre plus if your circumstances change. Of course many people find a way round this to continue claiming their benefits, which I wouldn't encourage, but it happens. You would have to seek guidance on your personal independence claim but it is usually withdrawn with the exception of the daily living allowance part and that is decided by job centre plus. The 4 week living abroad rule also applies.

Hate to be the bearer of bad news but it is increasingly getting more difficult for people to claim benefits abroad, especially in your benefit stream as they are paid to people in the uk to manage their daily lives to a set criteria, and moving to Spain with all the disability clauses in the PIP allowance means you could be fit for work. You would have to work out the potential to retire here with your HM forces pension alone - and then your forthcoming govt pension and any other non benefits savings you have.

For your information.