ESA & SDP

Hi Team,

I started claiming new style ESA CB Support Group since Oct 2020. I was only successful with PiP mobility standard in June 2020 and I scored 7 points for care at the tribunal hearing.

CAB advised me on the pros of claiming UC during lockdown, the extra £20 pw & COL payments. However, she also said if I did receive pip care, It would be better not to claim UC.

So, I stayed with ESA CB and now also receive a private pension of £97 pcm.

I moved to an adapted bungalow in Oct 2022, previously from a house. I Only managed to return my review form in Jan 2023, took me that long to fill it in. I’ve had my PIP interview by telephone last Thursday, it lasted 1 hour 30 mins. The assessor seemed fair but I struggled to explain some of my problems.

On Saturday, I fell over in the bedroom and have a large deep wound to my forehead, which took nearly an hour to be sutured by the nurse.

I then realised not only have I forgotten to tell the assessor about my falling over about 2-3 times a week, when I checked the copy of my PIP form I hadn’t thought to mention it in there either. I’ve also forgotten to tell my GP during tel consultations & also the neurologist back in 2022. On Monday morning I rang PIP and spoke to a lovely lad called Ash to ask him if he could memo my claim assessor with this information about my falls. To my surprise he tells me there’s no point as I’ve been awarded enhanced PIP for both care & mobility.

My question is am I entitled to claim Severe Disability Premium? As that is what the CAB lady previously told me and was the reason as to maybe not to claim UC. If so, who do I contact to claim SDP, is it through ESA? And how do I initiate a claim for SDP.

I will obviously advise Housing Benefits & Council Tax Support of my new PIP award, but I currently only pay a small amount.

Due to my neurological issues, it’s extremely difficult for me to find these answers on the forum myself, so that is why I have started this post.

Thank you for taking the time to read this post. As I type this I can only do it by keeping one eye closed. But if i am looking long distance I can see fine with my glasses on. Hope this helps you understand why I need your help to advise me about SDP.

Many thanks,
Joanne Peters
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Thank you Gary, that’s disappointing to hear, but thank you for your quick reply.

Joanne