Incapacity Benefit

nottingham13

Hi

I am on long term incapacity benefit and I am eligible for age premium at the higher rate too.

At the moment I am on about £102.75. (£84.50 + £17.75)

But what is going to happen when the new welfare rule changes happen?

Will I still be elibabile for the age premium or will I lose out and only get the incapacity benefit?

Thanks

healy

This April when they increase IB the age related addition is going to be reduced by about £2, if you look on the DWP site there are the new rates for 2009/10. After that it is not clear but I expect it will be reduced further to bring the IB rate in line with the ESA rate.

nottingham13

So basicly, I just looked up this new rate and I think I will get the new ESA at £64.50 + 30.85 (ESA support component) = £95. So I am going to be at least £10 worse off?!!!

healy

nottingham13 wrote: »

So basicly, I just looked up this new rate and I think I will get the new ESA at £64.50 + 30.85 (ESA support component) = £95. So I am going to be at least £10 worse off?!!!

No this year you will still be paid the IB rate plus age addition.

nottingham13

but do you know when I will have to change over?

healy

nottingham13 wrote: »

but do you know when I will have to change over?

The "plan" is to transfer all IB claimants over to ESA between 2010 and 2013.
I do not think this is set in stone though as the year 2012 has been mentioned also in DWP guidance.

[Deleted User]

I`m wondering if there will be a transitional period when people wont lose out,as there was when I/B replaced invalidity?

lolababy

Looking at this it may be that if they drop the incapacity benefit more people will be entitled to income support. We only get it because were 10p under what they say we should be .