Question about ESA and occupational pension...

Lister2020

Thanks in advance for any help that you can provide, I'll try to keep this brief..

I'm 26, and was recently medically retired from the civil service. I had a heart transplant in 2004, last year I experienced a bout of severe rejection, which caused atrial fibrilation, which brought on hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Since April of this year I have been stable after being put onto a newer more powerful immunosuppressant and having a pacemaker fitted, but heart failure drugs have failed and it was confirmed that my condition will only deteriorate over time, and I don't qualify for another transplant (antibody levels basically mean I would reject a new heart pretty much straight away).

I've been in the Support Group of ESA for a couple of months now. From the end of this month I start receiving my medical retirment pension, which I expect is going to be approximately £895 per month net. Obviously as soon as I get confirmation I'm calling ESA to inform them of the change of circumstances. I'm not sure if Im on contributory or income related ESA, my question is this, I am expecting to completely lose all of my ESA payments, which is fine, my pension and DLA should be enough to cover the bills, but even if Im not receiving any ESA money, will I still be kept in the "Support" Group, and signed off of work? I'm asking this as I receive housing benefit of approximately £62 per week, as I understand it being in the support group of ESA automatically entitles you to the maximum housing benefit rate available, and without it I would struggle financially.

Also, if it does keep me in the support group and I lose all the ESA money, would my mum then be able to get carers allowance? As I understand it she can't currently, she cleans my apartment for me and does the washing etc... So obviously I'd like to be able to get her the carers allowance if that's possible.

salau2

There are two types of ESA, Income related which is means tested and ESA Contributory based and in Youth which are non means tested. If you were working in the previous 2 years before you claimed ESA I would imagine you are receiving ESA-C which may be topped up with ESA-IR if your income is low. The ESA-C will be reduced by an occupational pension in the following way:

Occupational pension (weekly) – 85 /2 = Reduction amount. I.e. if you had an occupational pension of £120 per week then. 120 – 85 = 35, 35/2 = £17.50, so £17.50 would be reduced from your ESA-C. For ESA-IR all the pension is taken into account.

Regarding carer’s allowance. If you are receiving Middle or Higher Rate Care DLA then your Mother may be able to claim Carer’s Allowance if she cares for 35 hrs per week and satisfies other rules such as not earning more than £100 after deductions and not being in full time education. Your ESA-IR may be reduced if she claims CA as you may be receiving the severe disability premium if you live alone and receive Middle or Higher Rate Care DLA.

Housing benefit is a means tested benefit so to be entitled to this you would need to be means tested if you’re on low income you may be entitled to this. It is ESA-IR that gives automatic full housing benefit/Maximum LHA. If you are not entitled to Housing Benefit, you may be able to apply for a discretionary housing payment if you are in hardship.

Lister2020

As I said, it's not the money that Im concerned about, it's fine if I lose all of the ESA money, it's whether or not I'll still be listed as being on ESA in the support group..... It must be IR-ESA as my housing benefit claim said I get the maximum rate because I was on ESA in the support group.