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ESA at retirement age
- otterysteve
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8 months 4 weeks ago #288425 by otterysteve
ESA at retirement age was created by otterysteve
Hello.
I receive ESA and am in the support group. I will be 66 on my birthday in March 2025 which is my retirement age, as I was informed some years ago.
Recently I received a letter from jobcentreplus informing me of the usual yearly increase in the ESA. This is normal at about this time of year.
But the letter went on to say that from the day before my 66th birthday in 2025 I would receive ESA still but at a lower amount (about £21 a week less). The letter said “This is because of: an age change(s).”
I am confused by this as I had assumed state benefits would end at my retirement age, and I would receive old age pension instead.
Can anyone advise me on this please? Do I get ESA AND state pension? Will I still be entitled to Housing Benefit? Will I be better, or worse, off?
Who should I ask for an official statement please? I suspect it will be DWP but, as I am sure you will understand, I would prefer to ask them only as a last resort. I need to know what my income will be then.
I receive ESA and am in the support group. I will be 66 on my birthday in March 2025 which is my retirement age, as I was informed some years ago.
Recently I received a letter from jobcentreplus informing me of the usual yearly increase in the ESA. This is normal at about this time of year.
But the letter went on to say that from the day before my 66th birthday in 2025 I would receive ESA still but at a lower amount (about £21 a week less). The letter said “This is because of: an age change(s).”
I am confused by this as I had assumed state benefits would end at my retirement age, and I would receive old age pension instead.
Can anyone advise me on this please? Do I get ESA AND state pension? Will I still be entitled to Housing Benefit? Will I be better, or worse, off?
Who should I ask for an official statement please? I suspect it will be DWP but, as I am sure you will understand, I would prefer to ask them only as a last resort. I need to know what my income will be then.
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- Gary
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8 months 4 weeks ago #288456 by Gary
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by Gary on topic ESA at retirement age
Ho otterysteve
Thank you for your question, which I will try and answer.
ESA will stop the day before your birthday, on your birthday you will state pension age, to receive state pension you need to apply for it, you should be sent a letter by the pension service 3 months before your birthday with a code to enable you to apply for your state pension, state pension is paid 4 weeks in arrears.
Depending on your circumstances, you may also be entitled to claim pension credit; www.gov.uk/pension-credit, again you can apply 3 months before you reach state pension age.
I would advise you to seek help from your local Welfare Rights Organisation; advicelocal.uk .
Gary
Thank you for your question, which I will try and answer.
ESA will stop the day before your birthday, on your birthday you will state pension age, to receive state pension you need to apply for it, you should be sent a letter by the pension service 3 months before your birthday with a code to enable you to apply for your state pension, state pension is paid 4 weeks in arrears.
Depending on your circumstances, you may also be entitled to claim pension credit; www.gov.uk/pension-credit, again you can apply 3 months before you reach state pension age.
I would advise you to seek help from your local Welfare Rights Organisation; advicelocal.uk .
Gary
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
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- otterysteve
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8 months 4 weeks ago #288467 by otterysteve
Replied by otterysteve on topic ESA at retirement age
Thank you Gary, I would have expected the ESA to stop as you say.
BUT the letter I have recieved states:
"From xx [the day before my 66th birthday] March 2025 your Employment and Support Allowance will be £138.20 a week."
I have left the actual date out here but it is the day before my 66th birthday, and so is the day you say my ESA will end. I don't understand how they can be quoting an amount per week if it IS ending on that day? It doesn't make any sense to me. Why are they telling me I will be receiving £138.20 a week if the day they say that starts is in fact the day it ends?
BUT the letter I have recieved states:
"From xx [the day before my 66th birthday] March 2025 your Employment and Support Allowance will be £138.20 a week."
I have left the actual date out here but it is the day before my 66th birthday, and so is the day you say my ESA will end. I don't understand how they can be quoting an amount per week if it IS ending on that day? It doesn't make any sense to me. Why are they telling me I will be receiving £138.20 a week if the day they say that starts is in fact the day it ends?
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- Gordon
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8 months 4 weeks ago #288469 by Gordon
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by Gordon on topic ESA at retirement age
o
ESA is paid fortnightly in arrears, the figure they have quoted is for your last payment of ESA, not an ongoing one.
I've been dealing with ESA for more than 10 years on the forum and I have yet to hear of an ESA letter that actually made sense to the reader.
Gordon
ESA is paid fortnightly in arrears, the figure they have quoted is for your last payment of ESA, not an ongoing one.
I've been dealing with ESA for more than 10 years on the forum and I have yet to hear of an ESA letter that actually made sense to the reader.
Gordon
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- MrFibro
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8 months 4 weeks ago #288480 by MrFibro
Replied by MrFibro on topic ESA at retirement age
Hi Gary,
If a person receives state pension 4 weeks arrears. Does it mean, if a person died, then their family/s or next of kin would receive the person 4 weeks arrears, which is owing ?
Regards
If a person receives state pension 4 weeks arrears. Does it mean, if a person died, then their family/s or next of kin would receive the person 4 weeks arrears, which is owing ?
Regards
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- Gordon
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8 months 3 weeks ago #288496 by Gordon
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by Gordon on topic ESA at retirement age
MrF
They would receive whatever portion of the last payment is due given the payment period covered and the date of death. This could be the full four weeks but could also be a shorter period.
Gordon
They would receive whatever portion of the last payment is due given the payment period covered and the date of death. This could be the full four weeks but could also be a shorter period.
Gordon
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