ESA support group rates of payment

It should be noted that DLA is a non-means tested benefit also Contribution Based ESA does not automatically entitle one to free prescriptions, eye tests etc. however Income Based ESA does.

Hi Michael

I have just reread your post and it states you are on contribution based ESA!!! Did they explain the difference to you? I was put on cont ESA initially and it was at one of my WFI that it came up as i had no savings etc i was changed to income based as DWP had put me into cont in error. Income based opens up many doors as you can claim housing benefit and council tax benefit. As you live on your own you may be on the wrong benefit, so i would check it out with DWP. I am sorry if this message looks mumbojumbo am having a bad day but felt i really needed to answer your post. Please let us know how you get on.

Best wishes
Julie

Again it should be noted that eligibility for CB ESA is dependant on your NI Contributions over the relevant tax years. You may be eligible for a top up of IB ESA if your personal circumstances are such that allow it.

To get IB ESA your income and savings must be below the threshold set by the Government. See the ESA guides in the Members Section for more details on the amounts.

Hello Julie,
Thanks for your prompt reply to my query. Due to my poor health (esp.hypotension which causes me to faint each time I try to get up) I'm/was able to read your reply just today. Well, since my case was temporarly settled through tribunal, no one told me the difference between CB & IB ESA. The letter simply said I was entitled to this and that due to recent change in my circumstances i.e. because I'd been placed on SG or/and WRAG. That was it. And they said the arreas were paid but they did not till I requested the service of a solicitor after waiting for more than 4 months.
As for finding this from DWP, I think am not going to do it bec. I was told twice by them that if I were sick as they were made to know/believe then why was I bothering them about the arraes. So for them would be goodnews if I'd rang to report about my death (lol). To say the least, I feel some DWP are more sick than me. Why? Bec.I'd been paying IT more than £10,000 yearly and they don't want me to ask for what is rightfully mine? Frankly speaking Julie, you are right to say "No wonder the whole benefit system is a minefield".
Since I left my job due to frequent collapse of my r/knee, fainting and blackouts in March 2008, the little £12,000 savings I'd was used paying my rent, CT and utilities. I was on receipt of SSP for 27 wks at £125.00 a wk. When I asked for help with my rent, I was told I'd a enough savings. That is why you are right to say that benefit system is a minefield. I hope moderators won't take this as a complain but sharing benefits experiences and they won't also think that you are starting a dispute herein. Sorry for being too long and Julie once again let me thank you for sharing this minefield issue with members like me.

Michael.

Hi Gareth,
I would like to thank you for pointing me to members section where I can get some ans to my query. I'll try to do that if the information is not more than half a page. My problem is that I can not read any think more than half a page and retain it. Each time I try my mind gets blank and then follows by sharp headache. Nonetheless, I highly appreciate the effort.

Michael.

makenas wrote:

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.

Apologies for the delay in replying, as I have only just seen your post.

The rates you have quoted are correct. You don't qualify for the severe disability premium payable with Income Support, as you only receive the lower rate of the DLA care component. To qualify for the SDP you have to receive either the middle or higher rate of the care component.

The amount you receive is more than ESA claimants placed in the WRAG, as a claimant with similar circumstances to yourself in the WRAG would receive £65.45 plus £25.95 (WRAC) making a total of £91.40 a week.