Reassessment and occ pension increase

Hello, I am in the esa support group and was due to be reassessed in april but have heard nothing. In light of the info on this site that Maximus are not doing reassessments until spring 2016 unless a change of circumstances occurs I have a question....I have an occupational pension that is discounted for esa as my claim links back to ivb and then incapacity benefit and in March I had a letter from DWP asking for information on the increase in occ pension for this year. I didn't know what it was but sent the form back to tell them who my provider was so that they could contact them. I had to do this as they wanted the information within 14 days. Anyway today I've had a letter to tell me they have looked at my claim due to the recent "change of circumstances" which could only have been my annual increase in pension and that I would continue to get the rate of esa as I was on before. (sorry this is a bit longwinded) my Question is Would this annual increase that they have called a" change of circumstances "make me fall into their category for calling me for reassessment now and not delaying it?

I'm terrified about all of this and have been worried sick since the beginning of the year as it is....I have mental health problems. Any help or ideas advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks

j112009 wrote: Hello, I am in the esa support group and was due to be reassessed in april but have heard nothing. In light of the info on this site that Maximus are not doing reassessments until spring 2016 unless a change of circumstances occurs I have a question....I have an occupational pension that is discounted for esa as my claim links back to ivb and then incapacity benefit and in March I had a letter from DWP asking for information on the increase in occ pension for this year. I didn't know what it was but sent the form back to tell them who my provider was so that they could contact them. I had to do this as they wanted the information within 14 days. Anyway today I've had a letter to tell me they have looked at my claim due to the recent "change of circumstances" which could only have been my annual increase in pension and that I would continue to get the rate of esa as I was on before. (sorry this is a bit longwinded) my Question is Would this annual increase that they have called a" change of circumstances "make me fall into their category for calling me for reassessment now and not delaying it?

I'm terrified about all of this and have been worried sick since the beginning of the year as it is....I have mental health problems. Any help or ideas advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks

Hi j11,

This sounds like a pretty standard letter from DWP where they have requested information and you have supplied it.

The Change of Circumstances (C of C) that they speak of is related to your personal/financial circumstances.

Only a C of C relating to your medical condition/s and resulting limitations should instigate a fresh ESA WCA re-assessment.

bro58

j112009 wrote: I have a question....I have an occupational pension that is discounted for esa as my claim links back to ivb and then incapacity benefit and in March

I've not heard of this before. So if I was previously on IVB and then IB and have been receiving a pension during this time, it should be ignored for IR ESA purposes?

Gordon,

Sorry I'm confused, I thought ESA(CB) was not means-tested and only IR was.

One of the very few payments that affects contributory ESA is a pension. I don't know why!

For C ESA, the first £85 per week of pension is discounted, then ESA is reduced by 50p for every extra £1 pension.