IB to ESA Migration: Housing + Council Tax Benefit

Hello,

I migrated from IB to ESA recently and was fortunate enough to be placed in the Support Group. (Thank you to all at B&W for your assistance in that success.)

I visited my local council to inform them of my benefit change - they took a copy of my ESA letter and commented that there shouldn't be much change to the Housing + Council Tax benefit that I receive.

Got a letter from them today - the calculations now fail to include a Disability component to the 'How much the law says you have to live on' section. This was always present when I was assessed for HB + CT whilst receiving Incapacity Benefit.

In short, both my Housing Benefit and Council Tax have been significantly reduced. I was receiving some £6.50p weekly in Council Tax - this has now been cut to 62p, and my Housing Benefit was around £100 per week but is now only £80. There are no other changes to my circumstances, just my benefit changing from IB to ESA: I continue to receive DLA at the lower and lowest rates indefinitely: that's it.

Is this right? I thought anyone who migrates from long-term IB to ESA is to see no reduction in their money, nor the benefits they receive as a result.

Hope you can clarify things for me.

Best,

b.

bailey wrote: Hello,

I migrated from IB to ESA recently and was fortunate enough to be placed in the Support Group. (Thank you to all at B&W for your assistance in that success.)

I visited my local council to inform them of my benefit change - they took a copy of my ESA letter and commented that there shouldn't be much change to the Housing + Council Tax benefit that I receive.

Got a letter from them today - the calculations now fail to include a Disability component to the 'How much the law says you have to live on' section. This was always present when I was assessed for HB + CT whilst receiving Incapacity Benefit.

In short, both my Housing Benefit and Council Tax have been significantly reduced. I was receiving some £6.50p weekly in Council Tax - this has now been cut to 62p, and my Housing Benefit was around £100 per week but is now only £80. There are no other changes to my circumstances, just my benefit changing from IB to ESA: I continue to receive DLA at the lower and lowest rates indefinitely: that's it.

Is this right? I thought anyone who migrates from long-term IB to ESA is to see no reduction in their money, nor the benefits they receive as a result.

Hope you can clarify things for me.

Best,

b.

Hi b,

Please do not post duplicate posts, this will not speed up a response and if anything will slow it down.

As you can see we are rather busy today, be assured that you will receive a response ASAP.

I will now delete your duplicate post.

bro58

bailey wrote: Hello,

I migrated from IB to ESA recently and was fortunate enough to be placed in the Support Group. (Thank you to all at B&W for your assistance in that success.)

I visited my local council to inform them of my benefit change - they took a copy of my ESA letter and commented that there shouldn't be much change to the Housing + Council Tax benefit that I receive.

Got a letter from them today - the calculations now fail to include a Disability component to the 'How much the law says you have to live on' section. This was always present when I was assessed for HB + CT whilst receiving Incapacity Benefit.

In short, both my Housing Benefit and Council Tax have been significantly reduced. I was receiving some £6.50p weekly in Council Tax - this has now been cut to 62p, and my Housing Benefit was around £100 per week but is now only £80. There are no other changes to my circumstances, just my benefit changing from IB to ESA: I continue to receive DLA at the lower and lowest rates indefinitely: that's it.

Is this right? I thought anyone who migrates from long-term IB to ESA is to see no reduction in their money, nor the benefits they receive as a result.

Hope you can clarify things for me.

Best,

b.

Hi b,

I am afraid that after waiting, I do not have a definitive answer to your query.

The Transitional Protection guarantees that you will receive at least the same amount of "ESA" if successfully transferred over to ESA from IB. :

What will I be paid?

As far as I am aware, this TP does not cover HB and CTB.

Now that you are in The SG, you may be entitled to The Enhanced Disability Premium. (EDP) :

ESA Premiums

To receive all or part of the EDP, you would have to be assessed for entitlement to IR ESA top-ups, and be entitled to them.

This is done by filling in an ESA3 Financial Assessment Form.

We do not really advise on HB and CTB, so you should query this with your LA HB/CT Deparments, and request an explanation for the reduction.

You can request an ESA3 from the DWP Benefits Office or The CAB may have one. :

Where to get advice?

See also :

Benefits Calculator

Asset rule for ESA(IR)

24 hour work rule for ESA(IR)

bro58