Is it worth claiming ESA if ill-health pension is over £270?

agal

Not sure if that pension figure is correct but it's around that level that ESA is reduced to £0. Any other reason to claim it? Getting NI credits is the only one I can think of but if you have over 30 years of these that isn't a reason for claiming either.

NASA_2

Is the £270 a week or a month?

If it's a monthly rate then ESA(C) should be payable at full rate so long as the contribution conditions are met. ESA(IR) would be payable at a reduced rate to a single person with no other savings/income coming into play.

If it is a weekly figure then both components will be nilled due to excess income.

agal

Yes, it's a week.
I thinking that when they want to move me from IB to ESA I'll simply avoid all the hassle of form-filling and medicals and opt-out. I already have nearly 20 years of Invalidity/Incapacity NI credits so together with 13 years of employment I don't think I need any more NI credits for the State Pension.
I know they say IB claimants will be protected but I don't believe they will preserve the "no reduction for ill-health pension" rule (or indeed the tax-free status of my IB).
At least my wife can then claim Carer's Allowance which she's never been able to do due to "overlapping benefits" with the adult dependant part of my IB.