ESA support group rates of payment

Hi all

I dont know if we are allowed to disclose what the rates of payment are on ESA, if its not allowed i will understand if you have to delete this post.

There seems to be a lot of members who are on IB that are uncertain whether or not they will be worse off when they are transferred onto ESA. I can only speak for ESA if you are placed into the support group.

Living expenses: £64.30

Extra money because you are severly disabled: £52.85

Extra money because of the Disability Income Guarantee: £13.40

This gives a total of: £161.40 weekly

DLA is not counted as income towards ESA

I really hope that this goes some way to helping to understand just how much ESA you may get. Please note i am on income based ESA. I dont know what rates IB are as ESA had just come in when i needed to claim. These figures do not include housing benefit or council tax benefit and it does make a difference if you are over a set limit for savings. I appologise in advance if i shouldnt be posting money issues.

Kind regards
Julie

Julie wrote:

Hi all

I dont know if we are allowed to disclose what the rates of payment are on ESA, if its not allowed i will understand if you have to delete this post.

There seems to be a lot of members who are on IB that are uncertain whether or not they will be worse off when they are transferred onto ESA. I can only speak for ESA if you are placed into the support group.

Living expenses: £64.30

Extra money because you are severly disabled: £52.85

Extra money because of the Disability Income Guarantee: £13.40

This gives a total of: £161.40 weekly

DLA is not counted as income towards ESA

I really hope that this goes some way to helping to understand just how much ESA you may get. Please note i am on income based ESA. I dont know what rates IB are as ESA had just come in when i needed to claim. These figures do not include housing benefit or council tax benefit and it does make a difference if you are over a set limit for savings. I appologise in advance if i shouldnt be posting money issues.

Kind regards
Julie

No problem with the post, but the figures you have quoted are for the period from April 2009 to April 2010.

The current rates for a single person living on their own from April 2010 are:-

Living expenses: £65.45.

ESA support group component: £31.40.

Extra money because you are severely disabled: £53.65.

Extra money because of the Disability Income Guarantee: £13.65.

This gives a total of: £164.15 weekly.

I am in the WRAG and get approximately £145, there really isn't alot of difference but i doubt i could live any kind of decent life without my DLA.

I live in hope that the Coalition rethink their plans to re-assess all of our DLA awards, mine was indefinite and i would be lost without it.

Hi CD

Sorry about that, i have had another look at my letter and i dont seem to have an up to date letter from DWP re the new rates!!
I have checked my bank statement and i am getting the new rates so not sure what happened there!!!

Ranald i totally understand what you are saying regarding what we receive from ESA, i am sure everyone out there are in our position, i know i wouldnt be able to manage without my DLA. Even though i have been awarded HRC until 2015 i know that anything could happen in that time to change it and i really dont know how i would manage. It amazes me how the government decide how much is reasonable to survive!!!

Kind regards
Julie

Hi Julie and CD,
Thanks for the information regarding ESA rates. Sorry for coming late with this question ( I'd been down with low pressure for past few days). I'm in receipt of Con. Based ESA Support Group since Nov. 2010 and I managed to get this by going through tribunal hearing in Sutton. I was a London Bus Driver for many years before breaking down. My total in a week is £110.50 i.e. £65.45, £13.65 and £31.40. This is the calculation shown in the letter sent to me by DWP on 04.02.10. The question is: why my total is even less than those placed on WRG? I don't have any saving at all and I'm surprised when I read what you and CD wrote. CD perhaps, you can help me explain it if you have the time please. NB: I receive DLA LRC/HRM and live alone. I'm suffering from OA, PTSD, Hypertension, Hypotension and so on. Thanks to you in advance. Michael.

Hi Michael

I am totally confused by the amounts you do get and maybe this is why i havnt seen any figures on here before!!! I am wondering if this may have something to do with the DLA you receive as i note you get DLAHRM and DLALRC but forgive me if i am wrong i receive DLAHRC no mobility. I know all these benefits are means tested but i live alone with no savings and i have worked all my life but had no option last year to give up work for the sake of my health!! I suggest you speak to DWP.

CD can you shed any light on this? I am sorry if i have started a dispute on your site, i assumed (wrongly) that all benefits would be the same. No wonder the whole benefit system is a minefield. But if Michael should be entitled to more benefit i will take this as a positive post. All i was trying to do was help the members that are waiting to move onto ESA to see that it is not always a negative step, also it entitles the recipient automatically to get free prescriptions,eyes/glasses, help with travel to hospital and dental work, all you have to do is show your award letter, where as with IB i beleive you have to apply for that help. I am sorry for discussing money!!

Kind regards
Julie