Contribution based ESA Query

Hello there.
My benefit has just been switched over from IB to contributions based ESA (support group) I have absolutely no other income other than my housing benefit which is only £160 per month and does not even cover 50% of my actual rent (I rent privately and live on my own). I was on IB for 10 years and did not do any work during this period however I was told that I was put on Contributions because IB was contributions based and that the policy was that I had to remain on it unless I completely cancelled my entire claim and started a new claim. I have absolutely no clue about the new benfit and its system however people that I know who are in more or less the exact same circumstances as myself get more support with housing benefits and also get disability premium top ups which apparantly I cannot get simply becuase I am contributions based. For somebody in my position with absolutely no other income would I earn more In income related ESA? I do not get any other benefits other than housing and ESA.

Hi sm,

Good advice from Gordon.

This : Benefits Calculator may give you more insight.

bro58

Gordon wrote:

supermiff wrote: Hello there.
My benefit has just been switched over from IB to contributions based ESA (support group) I have absolutely no other income other than my housing benefit which is only £160 per month and does not even cover 50% of my actual rent (I rent privately and live on my own). I was on IB for 10 years and did not do any work during this period however I was told that I was put on Contributions because IB was contributions based and that the policy was that I had to remain on it unless I completely cancelled my entire claim and started a new claim. I have absolutely no clue about the new benfit and its system however people that I know who are in more or less the exact same circumstances as myself get more support with housing benefits and also get disability premium top ups which apparantly I cannot get simply becuase I am contributions based. For somebody in my position with absolutely no other income would I earn more In income related ESA? I do not get any other benefits other than housing and ESA.

You do not need to cancel your current claim and you may be eligible for an Income Related ESA top-up to your ESA(CB), but it will depend on your personal circumstances, if you are then the Enhanced Disability Premium will be added to your payments and you will be eligible for other income related benefits such as free prescriptions and dental care, I doubt it will affect your Housing Benefit, but I could be wrong.

Contact the DWP and ask them to send you an ESA3 form, this captures your financial situation and will allow the DWP to see whether you qualify.

Gordon

Will this effect my existing ESA claim? I only just got my decision and dont want to risk having to go through all of that again.

supermiff wrote:

Gordon wrote:

supermiff wrote: Hello there.
My benefit has just been switched over from IB to contributions based ESA (support group) I have absolutely no other income other than my housing benefit which is only £160 per month and does not even cover 50% of my actual rent (I rent privately and live on my own). I was on IB for 10 years and did not do any work during this period however I was told that I was put on Contributions because IB was contributions based and that the policy was that I had to remain on it unless I completely cancelled my entire claim and started a new claim. I have absolutely no clue about the new benfit and its system however people that I know who are in more or less the exact same circumstances as myself get more support with housing benefits and also get disability premium top ups which apparantly I cannot get simply becuase I am contributions based. For somebody in my position with absolutely no other income would I earn more In income related ESA? I do not get any other benefits other than housing and ESA.

You do not need to cancel your current claim and you may be eligible for an Income Related ESA top-up to your ESA(CB), but it will depend on your personal circumstances, if you are then the Enhanced Disability Premium will be added to your payments and you will be eligible for other income related benefits such as free prescriptions and dental care, I doubt it will affect your Housing Benefit, but I could be wrong.

Contact the DWP and ask them to send you an ESA3 form, this captures your financial situation and will allow the DWP to see whether you qualify.

Gordon

Will this effect my existing ESA claim? I only just got my decision and dont want to risk having to go through all of that again.

Hi sm,

No, it should not have any adverse affect on your recent SG award.

Each ESA award comes with a recommended period before you should be reassessed. (The prognosis) The minimum prognosis is 3 months. SG awards generally attract a 2-3 year prognosis.

You can find out what the prognosis is by ringing the 0845 number on the SG award decision notice letter, they should have it on-screen :

How often will I be reviewed

As Gordon has said the ESA 3 is used purely to assess your financial circumstances, and has nothing to do with the ESA WCA where the ESA50 is used.

Here is a : Sample ESA 3 Form to give you some idea of the questions asked.

You may be entitled to IR ESA top-ups, so it could be beneficial :

ESA Premiums

bro58

bro58 wrote:

supermiff wrote:

Gordon wrote:

supermiff wrote: Hello there.
My benefit has just been switched over from IB to contributions based ESA (support group) I have absolutely no other income other than my housing benefit which is only £160 per month and does not even cover 50% of my actual rent (I rent privately and live on my own). I was on IB for 10 years and did not do any work during this period however I was told that I was put on Contributions because IB was contributions based and that the policy was that I had to remain on it unless I completely cancelled my entire claim and started a new claim. I have absolutely no clue about the new benfit and its system however people that I know who are in more or less the exact same circumstances as myself get more support with housing benefits and also get disability premium top ups which apparantly I cannot get simply becuase I am contributions based. For somebody in my position with absolutely no other income would I earn more In income related ESA? I do not get any other benefits other than housing and ESA.

You do not need to cancel your current claim and you may be eligible for an Income Related ESA top-up to your ESA(CB), but it will depend on your personal circumstances, if you are then the Enhanced Disability Premium will be added to your payments and you will be eligible for other income related benefits such as free prescriptions and dental care, I doubt it will affect your Housing Benefit, but I could be wrong.

Contact the DWP and ask them to send you an ESA3 form, this captures your financial situation and will allow the DWP to see whether you qualify.

Gordon

Will this effect my existing ESA claim? I only just got my decision and dont want to risk having to go through all of that again.

Hi sm,

No, it should not have any adverse affect on your recent SG award.

Each ESA award comes with a recommended period before you should be reassessed. (The prognosis) The minimum prognosis is 3 months. SG awards generally attract a 2-3 year prognosis.

You can find out what the prognosis is by ringing the 0845 number on the SG award decision notice letter, they should have it on-screen :

How often will I be reviewed

As Gordon has said the ESA 3 is used purely to assess your financial circumstances, and has nothing to do with the ESA WCA where the ESA50 is used.

Here is a : Sample ESA 3 Form to give you some idea of the questions asked.

You may be entitled to IR ESA top-ups, so it could be beneficial :

ESA Premiums

bro58

Ok Great. I was just worries that it would freeze my money or something whilst the application was being looked at. Last thing I need right now is to delay my payments. Thanks for the advise