Esa & dla

panthony

Hello everyone,

I currently receive ESA (IB) couple rate £105.95 with the WRAG component of £26.75.

I have just been awarded DLA, higher rate Mobility £51.40 with the lower rate of Care £19.55.

Will these DLA payments effect my ESA and/or housing benefits?

Thanks
Paul

Cpt.Scarlet

No, DLA is not a means tested benefit so it is not counted as income.

KxMx

It would be wise though to inform the ESA department that you now qualify for DLA.

DomRavioli

DLA automatically send the info through.You don't have to do it.

panthony

Ok people, so I have called the ESA department and my local housing benefit department, both want to see my DLA entitlement letter so I am guessing they are going to change my payments in some way.

Could it perhaps be that I now qualify for a disability premium on top of my ESA and/or housing benefit awards?

rogerblack

panthony wrote: »

Hello everyone,

I currently receive ESA (IB) couple rate £105.95 with the WRAG component of £26.75.

I have just been awarded DLA, higher rate Mobility £51.40 with the lower rate of Care £19.55.

Will these DLA payments effect my ESA and/or housing benefits?

Making some assumptions.
There are premiums on top of your ESA, that may be payable due to DLA.
You're not entitled to the enhanced disability premium, because you are neither in the support group, and not receiving high-rate care DLA.

You're not entitled to the pensioner premium if you or your partner are not of pensionable age.
You're not entitled to the severe disability premium, because you don't live alone, and other things.

You do not seem to be entitled to the carer premium, as you can't claim carers allowance for looking after your partner, as you're not receiving middle-rate or above care.

For housing benefit, it does not seem likely it would be affected, as you are not on middle or high rate care, which would be needed to meet the case for being eligable for an extra room on your rent.

If your disability means you need an extra room, or need to use a wheelchair, you may be entitled to a reduction on your council tax. However, if you're on IRESA, I don't think this will apply. I am unsure if there will be a small reduction in your water rates if you are on a meter.

http://www.disabilityalliance.org/fact.htm is a long list of benefits.

NASA_2

DomRavioli wrote: »

DLA automatically send the info through.You don't have to do it.

Not strictly true - claimants have to advise of all relevant changes of circumstance - this is a relevant change of circumstance. Needs to be notified to the department claiming with ESA claim.

panthony

Ok, read somewhere that my DLA qualifies me for a disability premium at the couple rate of £23.95 for HB/CTB purposes, but that because I already get ESA+WRAG it then disquaifies me for the disabilty premium. with my HB/CTB.

However, apparently if we switch HB/CTB claimants, so that my wife claims instead of me then she would re-qualify for the disability premium at couple rate. Is this correct or did i misunderstand?

I may have read this wrong, but that is my understanding of how to maximise my entitlements...