ESA and occupational pensions and DLA

diane allen wrote: Hi, can anyone help me? A couple of years ago I was claiming incapacity benefit. My occupational pension was not taken into account because I am awarded high rate DLA. Can anyone tell me if this rule now applies to a new ESA claim as my health is deteriorating and am currently receiving SSP from my employer which is soon to finish. Many thanks for any responses.

No, I am afraid this was specific to IB and even then, only under specific circumstances.

For Contribution Based ESA the rule is that the first £85/w is disregarded and then their is a deduction of £1 for every £2 of pension in excess of the £85.

For Income Related ESA a pension will be treated as income and deducted £ for £.

As always, you should get advice from a trained advisor who can review your finances as a whole before making any decision, see

Where to get advice?

Gordon

diane allen wrote: Hi Gordon, do happen to know what the specific circumstances were with IB that allowed this to happen?

I believe you had to be;

- in receipt of your pension before 1 April 2001 or
- in receipt of DLA Highest Rate Care or
- you qualified for IB under the provisions for those incapacitated in youth because of previous entitlement to SDA

Gordon