ESA support group v work place pension

Hi

I receive ESA support group contribution rate , my wife is retired and receives a state pension plus a small monthly company pension from her last employer, can you give me any idea with regards to what the DWP can deduct from my ESA income due to her workplace pension.
I recall somewhere hearing that they can only take into account over £85.00 per week of her company pension and then for every pound over they deduct so much from my ESA.

I have received letters all confusing to say the least if I happen to end back in wrag and have to claim income ESA I wouldn't be eligible for Income related ESA due to the money my wife receives with her work place pension.

satmanbasil wrote: Hi

I receive ESA support group contribution rate , my wife is retired and receives a state pension plus a small monthly company pension from her last employer, can you give me any idea with regards to what the DWP can deduct from my ESA income due to her workplace pension.
I recall somewhere hearing that they can only take into account over £85.00 per week of her company pension and then for every pound over they deduct so much from my ESA.

I have received letters all confusing to say the least if I happen to end back in wrag and have to claim income ESA I wouldn't be eligible for Income related ESA due to the money my wife receives with her work place pension.

Hi smb,

As things stand, whilst you are in receipt of CB ESA only, where no part of your ESA is IR ESA, it doesn't matter what income your wife has, it will have no adverse affect on your own CB ESA payments.

It is "your" individual claim, and you receive nothing for your wife.

The £85/Week Occupational Pension disregard rule (where 50% of the excess above £85/Week is deducted from your weekly CB ESA) for CB ESA is only where the ESA Claimant/Recipient is in receipt of the Occupational Pension, not their partner or spouse.

Even if you were placed into The WRAG you would still be entitled to 365 days payment of CB ESA before it ceased. (if you have not previously spent time in The WRAG) :

12 Month Limit for ESA(CB)

If you ever have to be assessed for IR ESA, things will change completely.

All you wife's income including her State Pension and Occupational Pension would be classed as "Household Income", it would be deducted £ for £ from your maximum IR ESA entitlement as a couple.

If your joint Household Income equalled or exceeded your maximum IR ESA entitlement as a couple, you would not receive any IR ESA payments at all.

As an example, if you were in the WRAG and had to be financially assessed for IR ESA, and not in receipt of PIP Daily Living or MR/HR Care DLA (which means that you may be entitled to extra IR ESA Premiums)

Your maximum IR ESA entitlement as a couple would be :

ESA Personal Allowance (couple rate) = £114.85/Week + WRA Component £29.05/Week (if you were in The WRAG) = £143.90

From :

Benefit Rates 2015/16

So, if you had no further IR ESA entitlements, and your joint Household Income equalled or exceeded the £143.90/Week, you would not receive any IR ESA payments.

Any shortfall between your maximum IR ESA entitlement and your Household Income would be made up by IR ESA payments.

Of course, the above is just an example to give you some idea of how "it works" !!

In the event of the above possible scenario occurring you would be best advised to seek professional face to face advice to ascertain what "Benefit" options would be the best for you and your wife paying due regards to your personal and financial circumstances at that time.

Have a look at This Topic from earlier on today which goes into more detail regarding IR ESA entitlement and payment.

bro58