Income Support or ESA??

Jac wrote: Hi there, I left a message on here yesterday (which was answered but I can't find anymore).
I won my tribunal in August & was told that I should be awarded ESA in the support group moving from I.B. credits & Income Support (I'm a carer).
My question was asking why are the DWP being so difficult actioning this move & being very evasive when I phone them.
I received a call back from them this morning, from my claim office & they said I have to decide whether I want ESA or Income Support?? Apparently I am no better off on ESA?
I was told I would be & that it would be backdated to March, as said by the tribunal. I will also have to wait for this to be actioned as it could take time?!
I am so confused. Can anyone please give me some clarity.
Thank you

Because you are a carer, I assume that you are receiving Carers Allowance, you are also eligible for Income Support in addition to being eligible for ESA, but you can only claim one of these two benefits.

I would get face to face advice from a trained advisor who can work out what you will receive with each of the benefits and the short and long term issues associated with each one.

It is possible that you will get more with ESA, but you will also be regularly assessed, so if this is an issue you might want to think about going with IS, however, there are longer tem issues with IS in relation to the Universal Credit which you should also consider. Also there are issues in regard your NI Contribution history that you need to be aware of.

Gordon

Jac wrote: Thank you for your prompt reply.
Yes I receive carers allowance for looking after my eldest son. I've been ill with a very rare vasculitis for over eleven years with many complications & so have not been able to work.
I've had three Atos assessments in the last three years & the tribunal recommended that I not be reassessed for two years. So being a carer & on Income Support didn't make any difference re assessments, I was hoping that being on ESA would?
How would I go about finding a trained advisor do you happen to know?
Was going through the awful ordeal of a tribunal just a waste of time??
Thank you again

It is possible that you will not be re-assessed for two years from the date of your Tribunal, but it is more likely that the two years will apply from the date that you were transferred from IB to ESA.

The following explains how to find an advisor

Where to get advice?

Gordon