WRAG and contribution based ESA question?

Chorlie

nad1611 wrote: »

Okay I was aware of all of that, I'm obviously not reading you correctly. But basically if for example I go from Inc' Benefit(CB) to the Support Group I'll be on ESA(CB), well according to other threads on here say and what I've read, do you agree with that?

I'm presuming you're talking about reclaims and not one's that don't have a break.?

But won't this be the same as being on ESA(CB) WRAG for over 12 months and trying to move over to ESA(CB) Support Group. As in not having enough NI Contributions so therefore you can't move to any other form of CB allowance, you can only move to an Income Based allowance or can you move to another CB allowance if you're already claiming one.

I can't find the answer to this question.

nad1611

Chorlie wrote: »

But won't this be the same as being on ESA(CB) WRAG for over 12 months and trying to move over to ESA(CB) Support Group. As in not having enough NI Contributions so therefore you can't move to any other form of CB allowance, you can only move to an Income Based allowance or can you move to another CB allowance if you're already claiming one.

I can't find the answer to this question.

I'm not quite saying that here. I'm just trying to confirm my understanding, that those on Inc Ben(C) now and who get assessed and placed in the Support Group will receive ESA(CB).
I was originally placed in the Contribution because of the contributions I'd made and I asked on here a long time ago about this and was advised that I would continue to receive contributions based ESA too.
I was just a bit confused when cpt scarlet started talking about means testing when referring to the Support Group but it's a moot point, as far as Contribution based is concerned because it won't be open to the same limitations..

You're right you either qualify for ESA(C) or you don't, whatever group you're placed in.

Cpt.Scarlet

nad1611 wrote: »

I'm not quite saying that here. I'm just trying to confirm my understanding, that those on Inc Ben(C) now and who get assessed and placed in the Support Group will receive ESA(CB).
I was originally placed in the Contribution because of the contributions I'd made and I asked on here a long time ago about this and was advised that I would continue to receive contributions based ESA too.
I was just a bit confused when cpt scarlet started talking about means testing when referring to the Support Group but it's a moot point, as far as Contribution based is concerned because it won't be open to the same limitations..

You're right you either qualify for ESA(C) or you don't, whatever group you're placed in.

OH I'll try to explain it again.

If you are currently receiving IB, when you are transferred you will be moved onto ESA(CB), whichever group you are placed into.

If you are placed in the WRAG then it is likely that it will be time limited to one year from the date of your transfer. After the year you will be eligible for ESA(IR) providing you meet the means test.

If you placed in the Support Group then there will no limitation to how long you can receive ESA(CB), providing you stay in the group.

melbury

So what happens if you are moved from the ESA(CB) WRAG into the support group and then say after a year your health improves a bit and you are put back into the WRAG? Will you still qualify for ESA (CB) on the basis that your contributions have still been carrying on whilst in the support group?

Also, if you are put in support group and then put back in WRAG, when would this new twelve month time limit apply from?

Cpt.Scarlet

melbury wrote: »

So what happens if you are moved from the ESA(CB) WRAG into the support group and then say after a year your health improves a bit and you are put back into the WRAG? Will you still qualify for ESA (CB) on the basis that your contributions have still been carrying on whilst in the support group?

Also, if you are put in support group and then put back in WRAG, when would this new twelve month time limit apply from?

Whether you receive ESA(CB) or not is determined by your NI history not the group you are placed in.

The time limitation is linked only to the WRAG.

So if you have been in the SG for a year or more and are then placed into the WRAG, you will immediately lose your ESA(CB) because you have been on ESA(CB) for a year or more and you are in the WRAG.

If the switch to the WRAG occurs before the year, then the year starts from the date of the decision letter saying you have qualified for ESA, just to be clear, not the letter saying your are being transferred.

melbury

Cpt.Scarlet wrote: »

Whether you receive ESA(CB) or not is determined by your NI history not the group you are placed in.

The time limitation is linked only to the WRAG.

So if you have been in the SG for a year or more and are then placed into the WRAG, you will immediately lose your ESA(CB) because you have been on ESA(CB) for a year or more and you are in the WRAG.

If the switch to the WRAG occurs before the year, then the year starts from the date of the decision letter saying you have qualified for ESA, just to be clear, not the letter saying your are being transferred.

Is there any more news about this Clause 51 being changed from 1 to 2 years?

Cpt.Scarlet

melbury wrote: »

Is there any more news about this Clause 51 being changed from 1 to 2 years?

The amendment was rejected in the committee stage, so it is up the House of Lords to re-introduce it.

Chorlie

So if I applied for ESA (CB) at the beginning of April 2010 (I'd been working for 20yrs before than) and got my award letter the beginning of July 2010 to confirm I'd been placed in the ESA(CB) WRAG.

Now since the Descriptors have changed, I will loose points in some areas but I might gain enough in another area to be placed into the Support Group, so can I ask to be reassessed or is it to late because I applied over 12months ago, since I haven't worked in the last 12 months do I still count of having enough NI Contributions or should I leave it and just see what happens.

I won't get ESA(IB) since I have savings and I don't get the full amount of ESA now due to reductions because of my Pension, I do get some allowance & NI Credits. I don't want to loose either but if I can still get NI Credits it's better then nothing....I'm not only unsure what's best to do but also what I can do....any thoughts or advise will be great fully received

Cpt.Scarlet

Chorlie wrote: »

So if I applied for ESA (CB) at the beginning of April 2010 (I'd been working for 20yrs before than) and got my award letter the beginning of July 2010 to confirm I'd been placed in the ESA(CB) WRAG.

Now since the Descriptors have changed, I will loose points in some areas but I might gain enough in another area to be placed into the Support Group, so can I ask to be reassessed or is it to late because I applied over 12months ago, since I haven't worked in the last 12 months do I still count of having enough NI Contributions or should I leave it and just see what happens.

I won't get ESA(IB) since I have savings and I don't get the full amount of ESA now due to reductions because of my Pension, I do get some allowance & NI Credits. I don't want to loose either but if I can still get NI Credits it's better then nothing....I'm not only unsure what's best to do but also what I can do....any thoughts or advise will be great fully received

Eligibilty for the SUpport Group is not points based you need to demonstrate the you meet one or more the SG criteria.

AS your WRAG decision was more than a month ago, you cannot appeal, you can either wait until you are re-assessed or you need to show that you either have a new condition or there has been a significant deterioration in your existing condition. It should be treated as continuation of your existing claim, so you NI history is not relevant.

Given that most people are being assessed every 6 months, it might be worth waiting and while you are, gather additional evidence to support your case.

nad1611

Cpt.Scarlet wrote: »

OH I'll try to explain it again.

If you are currently receiving IB, when you are transferred you will be moved onto ESA(CB), whichever group you are placed into.

If you are placed in the WRAG then it is likely that it will be time limited to one year from the date of your transfer. After the year you will be eligible for ESA(IR) providing you meet the means test.

If you placed in the Support Group then there will no limitation to how long you can receive ESA(CB), providing you stay in the group.

Thanks but I don't know why you keep telling me what I already know. I've already demonstated in the part you quoted from me what my understanding was, so I don't know why you feel the need to keep saying the same thing!!
The original confusion came when you referred to means testing, in regard to the Support Group, not what Contribution based and Icome related meant.