sonnyboyo wrote: Hi, i have recently been migrated from SDA onto contributary ESA, payable for 3yrs. My wife works 24hrs per week and we have 3 children. We have just received a letter from the council saying because i am now recieving ESA we are to pay £435 per month rent and council tax.. Is ESA means tested?
Although ESA is a single benefit it comes in two flavours, Contribution Based and Income Related.
ESA(CB) is not means tested although pension income can reduce what is paid, ESA(IR) is means tested and is effected by your household income, assets and savings and whether your partner works 24 hours or more.
I have to admit I cannot see any immediate reason why you should
now be liable for rent and council tax, I am not aware of any exclusions for SDA that would have meant that you were not liable for these before, although SDA is not a benefit that we support on the forum.
Gordon
