Contribution based ESA

nad1611

Just wondering about contribution based ESA. I have been on Contribution based Incapacity Benefit for some years having worked before becoming ill.
If I am put on ESA will I still qualify for Cont, based. In otherwords, what makes me still qualify for Contribution based if I haven't worked for so long, is it the Contributions I've made through the benefit itself?

Hope my question makes sense;)

richard9991

nad1611 wrote: »

Just wondering about contribution based ESA. I have been on Contribution based Incapacity Benefit for some years having worked before becoming ill.
If I am put on ESA will I still qualify for Cont, based. In otherwords, what makes me still qualify for Contribution based if I haven't worked for so long, is it the Contributions I've made through the benefit itself?

Hope my question makes sense;)

yes you will still get contribution esa because there is transional protection for ib claims to esa

nad1611

richard9991 wrote: »

yes you will still get contribution esa because there is transional protection for ib claims to esa

Thanks for that. Do you have a link or the like with that info?

richard9991

nad1611 wrote: »

Thanks for that. Do you have a link or the like with that info?

yes quite long though
http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/index/whats_new_feb11_national_roll-out_for_incapacity_benefit_assessments.htm

nad1611

Couldn't see anything which identifies the Transitional Protection for IB to ESA specifically?

richard9991

nad1611 wrote: »

Couldn't see anything which identifies the Transitional Protection for IB to ESA specifically?

i

• Incapacity Benefit
• Severe Disablement Allowance (SDA)
• Income Support based on disability grounds.

If you're currently getting one of these benefits, the Department for Work and Pensions will write to you between now and March 2014, inviting you to an assessment.
If the assessment finds you meet the qualifying conditions for ESA, you will be automatically transferred to this benefit. You won't have to make a new claim.
If you're currently getting Incapacity Benefit or Severe Disablement Allowance (SDA), your benefit will be converted to contribution-based ESA.
Contribution-based ESA is usually worked out according to how much you've paid in National Insurance contributions. But if you're switching from Incapacity Benefit or SDA, it won't matter how many NI contributions you've paid.
If you're currently getting Income Support, your benefit will be converted to income-related ESA.
If your benefit is converted to ESA, you will be paid the higher rate of ESA straightaway. Usually ESA is paid at a lower rate for the first 13 weeks of the claim.
You may also be entitled to extra money while your benefit is switched to ESA. This is called a transitional allowance. It makes sure that you won't be getting less money than you were receiving before. This extra money will eventually stop.
If the assessment finds that you're not entitled to ESA, your Incapacity Benefit, SDA or Income Support will stop. You will then have to make a new claim for Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) or another benefit that suits your needs.
If you attend an assessment and are unhappy with the way it's carried out, or you don't agree with its outcome, you can get advice on what to do from your

nad1611

Thanks. Reading this one could assume that whichever of the ESA entitlements you have ascribed to you, ie WRAG or Support Group, that you would go onto contribution based Benefit, but as I read it you were only on the Contribution based ESA in the Support Group and on Income based in the WRAG.
I'd appreciate any clarification on this if anyone has it.

Also is there anything else which is protected for Incapicity Benefit to ESA claims, I know the "linking" rules will no longer apply, what about reduction due to other income for example pensions?

richard9991

nad1611 wrote: »

Thanks. Reading this one could assume that whichever of the ESA entitlements you have ascribed to you, ie WRAG or Support Group, that you would go onto contribution based Benefit, but as I read it you were only on the Contribution based ESA in the Support Group and on Income based in the WRAG.
I'd appreciate any clarification on this if anyone has it.

Also is there anything else which is protected for Incapicity Benefit to ESA claims, I know the "linking" rules will no longer apply, what about reduction due to other income for example pensions?

there is q&a here
http://mindinflux.wordpress.com/2010/11/10/freedom-of-information-request-on-incapacity-benefit-migration-to-esa/

nad1611

Okay, that's clear, thanks for your time:D

Cpt.Scarlet

nad1611 wrote: »

Thanks. Reading this one could assume that whichever of the ESA entitlements you have ascribed to you, ie WRAG or Support Group, that you would go onto contribution based Benefit, but as I read it you were only on the Contribution based ESA in the Support Group and on Income based in the WRAG.
I'd appreciate any clarification on this if anyone has it.

Also is there anything else which is protected for Incapicity Benefit to ESA claims, I know the "linking" rules will no longer apply, what about reduction due to other income for example pensions?

Whether you are in the SG or WRAG will not affect your right to receive ESA(CB), although the government are planning to limit ESA(CB) to one year for member of the WRAG, not the SG. After the year you will be eligible for Income Related ESA providing you meet the means test.

If your pension(s) were dis-regarded under IB then they will continue to be under ESA, if not then there is an £85/w dis-regard followed by £1/w deduction for every £2/w pension.

If you were tax emept you won't be with ESA(CB).