Which is better, ESA or IS?

ltcinter

My OH has just been awarded DLA HRC, and is also main claimant on ESA-IR support group. As her partner, I have applied for CA.

Been told that as a carer, if I were to become the main claimant on a fresh IS claim, benefit amount would increase by around £8-9 a week.

Notwithstanding the improved financial aspect of moving over to IS, I would be interested to know if there may be a downside to my applying for IS.

Any comments would be appreciated.

rogerblack

I cannot comment on the actual sums.
However.
If the ESA claim is dropped in favour of an IS one.
If DLA is reviewed, and she loses HRC/MRC - the IS will stop, and she would need to reapply to ESA, spending 13 weeks on the assessment rate.

creditcardhelp11

The advantage of IS is that you do not have to go through the medicals etc as you more likely would for an ESA claim. Your income support applicable amount should be:

Basic couple rate + Disability Premium + Enhanced disability Premium + Carer's Premium (Once Carer's Allowance is paid) = £198.30

ESA-IR applicable amount (after 13 weeks/assessment phase) would be (WRA group):

Basic couple rate + Enhanced disability Premium + Carers Premium + WRA group = £183.95

Or for ESA-IR support group as above + £5.60 = £189.55

These are just rough figures.

ltcinter

So on the one hand, the advantages of switching to IS are

£8-9 a week increase in amount.
no further WCAs - unless DLA care component is reviewed down to lower/zero.

while on the other hand, the disadvantages are

if DLA is reviewed down to lower/zero, a fresh application for ESA will be have to be made - with the accompanying risk of losing the support group component - and a 13-week assessment phase will have to be gone through again.

What about the need for WFIs?

creditcardhelp11

If claiming Carers Allowance a work focused interview is not compulsory unless you are also claiming Carer's Premium on Income Support.

''While you are getting Carer’s Allowance, you can have a work-
focused interview with a personal adviser at Jobcentre Plus.
You do not have to have an interview, but the adviser can talk
to you about part-time employment or training.''

It is the Income Support which may trigger a WFI.

Everyone for ESA is expected to attend an initial ‘work-focused interview’, unless you are terminally ill. However, you are not required to attend further interviews if you are in the support group.

ltcinter

I suppose a WFI could be deferred or waived for the partner on DLA HCR. And probably also the carer who is providing full-time care.

Do both members of a couple have to attend WFIs?

kingfisherblue

I am my son's carer, on IS and CA, but I still have to attend WFIs. My son requires full time care. However, I am also a single parent and this is the reason for WFIs.

Other benefits of IS (not sure if they would also occur with ESA) are SMI (if in mortgaged property), free school meals if you have any children in school (and in some areas, a uniform grant as well), free prescriptions and dental treatment, free eyesight checks, voucher towards the cost of glasses, lower priced swimming and use of council gyms (in some areas - check local council to see if there is a scheme in your area).

creditcardhelp11

kingfisherblue wrote: »

I am my son's carer, on IS and CA, but I still have to attend WFIs. My son requires full time care. However, I am also a single parent and this is the reason for WFIs.

Other benefits of IS (not sure if they would also occur with ESA) are SMI (if in mortgaged property), free school meals if you have any children in school (and in some areas, a uniform grant as well), free prescriptions and dental treatment, free eyesight checks, voucher towards the cost of glasses, lower priced swimming and use of council gyms (in some areas - check local council to see if there is a scheme in your area).

As a rule of those other 'benefits' of IS are also available to those receiving JSA-IB, ESA-IR and PC(G).

ltcinter

As regards a DM deciding that someone go from HRC to LRC/No care, would the burden of proof be with DWP when making this decision?

Would this scenario only come about at reassessment?

It seems to me that the question I have to answer is which option will be less upsetting for my OH. Staying in the support group = no WFIs with eventual repeat WCAs, whereas moving to IS = no WCAs, but possible WFIs and possible future loss of HRC/MRC.

creditcardhelp11

The burden of proof? There isn't one the DM just has to have some reasonsable indication that a change of circumstance has happened. Usually this is 1. if someone reports someone as a fraud and there is some evidence to back up the case or 2. when you get reassessed. However, at any point you can be reassessed. I.e. if someone informed the DWP that they are doing some voluntary work then depending on the type of work the DM could view this as a change of circumstances and lower/suspend the claim and send reassessment forms.

Cpt.Scarlet

ltcinter wrote: »

As regards a DM deciding that someone go from HRC to LRC/No care, would the burden of proof be with DWP when making this decision?

It depends on the circumstances, if the DWP initiate a re-assessment before the end of the award, then the burden of proof lies with them, however if the claimant initiates it, or it is the end of the award then the onus is on the claimant.