What is contribution/income based ESA ?

PopcornUK

I am confused about this, I hear all the word going around about ESA (cont) changing to 12 months, but I have no idea what I am going to be on soon. I have been told on the 22nd October I am moving from IB to WRAG ESA but there was no mention if this is Cont or Income. Is there an easy way to know or find out or do I have to contact the Jobcentre ?

Also should I be happy I even managed to get in to the WRAG or is pretty much everyone ending up in there ? I am wondering whether to ask about trying to get in the support group, especially if it cuts out after 12 months.

EDIT : My mistake, it does mention income-based on the letters, I just re-read. So perhaps I will be ok, but it would still be interesting to know what the differences are.

rogerblack

PopcornUK wrote: »

I am confused about this, I hear all the word going around about ESA (cont) changing to 12 months, but I have no idea what I am going to be on soon.

If you have appropriate contribtions paid through, for example, full-time employment in the last two tax years, then you are entitled to contributory-based benefits.
These are not means-tested, and do not come with all of the extras that income based do.
For example, you don't get free eye-tests.

Otherwise, if you have an income low enough, you are on income-based ESA.

Cpt.Scarlet

PopcornUK wrote: »

I am confused about this, I hear all the word going around about ESA (cont) changing to 12 months, but I have no idea what I am going to be on soon. I have been told on the 22nd October I am moving from IB to WRAG ESA but there was no mention if this is Cont or Income. Is there an easy way to know or find out or do I have to contact the Jobcentre ?

Also should I be happy I even managed to get in to the WRAG or is pretty much everyone ending up in there ? I am wondering whether to ask about trying to get in the support group, especially if it cuts out after 12 months.

EDIT : My mistake, it does mention income-based on the letters, I just re-read. So perhaps I will be ok, but it would still be interesting to know what the differences are.

As you are currently receiving IB you will, if transferred successfully, be moved to ESA(CB) as a continuation of your existing claim, there is no need for you to re-qualify based on your NI history.

Mupette

can this be swapped the other way... example esa income based for 2 1/2 years move to cont based...

my circumstances change next June and i am led to believe (well i know) i will loose esa income...

now i have people saying i could be entitled to contributions based, if my husband to be's income is low.

but does being on income based for such a small amount of time be enough for contributions based!!

Torry_Quine

PopcornUK wrote: »

I am confused about this, I hear all the word going around about ESA (cont) changing to 12 months, but I have no idea what I am going to be on soon. I have been told on the 22nd October I am moving from IB to WRAG ESA but there was no mention if this is Cont or Income. Is there an easy way to know or find out or do I have to contact the Jobcentre ?

Also should I be happy I even managed to get in to the WRAG or is pretty much everyone ending up in there ? I am wondering whether to ask about trying to get in the support group, especially if it cuts out after 12 months.

EDIT : My mistake, it does mention income-based on the letters, I just re-read. So perhaps I will be ok, but it would still be interesting to know what the differences are.

As you are on IB then it will be contribution based ESA. Most people are going into the WRAG which there are plans to limit to 12 months contribution based before switching to income based if eligible.

When you say you are switching do you mean you have been assessed for ESA?

andrea_louise

I too have found out today, I will be transferring from IB to ESA(CB) Support Group. How on earth it's contribution based, as I have not worked full time since 2008! Am more worried about the interest payments on the mortgage. Am on hold, waiting to speak to one of the goons in the call centre, (been on hold 45 mins already) and they shut at 6!

Torry_Quine

Mupette wrote: »

can this be swapped the other way... example esa income based for 2 1/2 years move to cont based...

my circumstances change next June and i am led to believe (well i know) i will loose esa income...

now i have people saying i could be entitled to contributions based, if my husband to be's income is low.

but does being on income based for such a small amount of time be enough for contributions based!!

Sorry but no it doesn't work that way. The reason being that while on income based you aren't building up contributions for contribution based.

Torry_Quine

andrea_louise wrote: »

I too have found out today, I will be transferring from IB to ESA(CB) Support Group. How on earth it's contribution based, as I have not worked full time since 2008! Am more worried about the interest payments on the mortgage. Am on hold, waiting to speak to one of the goons in the call centre, (been on hold 45 mins already) and they shut at 6!

It's contribution based as it just continues on from your IB which is conribution based. As it's the support group it isn't at presnt anyway time limited,

andrea_louise

Torry Quine, will the mortgage interest payments, which were part of IS remain also?

Torry_Quine

andrea_louise wrote: »

Torry Quine, will the mortgage interest payments, which were part of IS remain also?

As you were getting IS then I would think you will get ESA income related as a top up to contribution based which gives you access to other benefits including I would think mortgage payments.