CB ESA to IR ESA changeover

moose1982

I haven't seen it yet (probably missed it mind), but here is a link to the changeover page on the DWP website:

http://www.dwp.gov.uk/adviser/updates/proposed-changes-to-contribution/

Essentially, if you have been claiming CB ESA for at least 365 days, then you should receive a phone call soon to ask if you want to be assessed for IR ESA.

The page was updated on the 1st March, so if this info has been posted before, then I do apologise. It may even have been updated since it was last posted here, I don't know!

Hope it helps someone out

moose1982

Just an update from this, it now seems that they are not phoning everyone, at least some they are just sending a letter stating that they will be changing from CB to IR. I got mine this morning.

Again, I haven't seen anyone else mention it, but I don't read every thread. I just hope that I didn't leave anyone dreading to answer the phone from above. I would say that if someone is expecting to move over from CB to IR and hasn't received anything as of early next week, give your Benefit Delivery Centre a call, the letter may have got lost/eaten in the post.

moose1982

I've uploaded the letter for reference in case anyone else asks about the letter in the next couple of days and someone would like to point bits of it out.

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/692/esachangeoverj.jpg/

anguk

How do you know if you're on contribution based or income related IB? My OH has been on IB for about 17 years, when he first became unable to work it was called Invalidity Benefit and I seem to remember that it was based on his national insurance contributions for the tax year beforehand?

It then changed to Incapacity Benefit and he gets it topped up with income support. Will he still be on contribution based or will it be income related now? It doesn't say on any of the letters we get.

moose1982

If your OH is still on Incapacity, then this will not affect him. It may do if his change from IB to ESA puts him in the Work Related Activity Group, ie they expect he will return to work at some point in the future, but appreciate it may well not be tomorrow (I've been on ESA since 2009). After 365 days (which they class as the Contributions-related part), the household income gets assessed to see if it enough to live on (going by government standards, not mine or yours). If he gets placed in the Support Group, then this will have no effect.

It's confusing and hopefully someone who can explain it better than me will come along and be a bit clearer.

rogerblack

Very importantly - if you have a degenerative condition, or you consider that it's likely you may get into the support group at some point.
Do not stop your claim, even though you get no money, and don't need the NI credits.

If you have significant savings, or a partner that works, and are in the work-related group, then your benefit will stop. However, if your circumstances change - you get put into the support group - your payment will resume.

zippy1969

moose1982 wrote: »

I've uploaded the letter for reference in case anyone else asks about the letter in the next couple of days and someone would like to point bits of it out.

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/692/esachangeoverj.jpg/

Hi,

My friend claims ESA and she got this exact same letter today.

She lives alone and gets high rate care/low rate mobility DLA. She has no other income and savings less than £6k.

Her current ESA award is made-up as follows (taken from her award letter):

Your living expenses £71
Extra money because you are severely disabled £58.20
Extra money because of the Disability Income Guarantee £14.80
Extra money because you are in the Work Related Activity Group £28.15

Which gives you a total income-related amount £172.15 per week.

Will she still get the same amount?

What seems to be confusing here is the statement I've highlighted in bold above...'income-related amount.' My friend always took this to mean she was getting income-based ESA anyway and had this confirmed once in a call to the DWP. So why has she received a letter saying her contribution based ESA will end on April 30th...when she's already on income-related...or so she thought?

She's very anxious about this...and they don't make it easy!

moose1982

My housing benefit bits through the post say I'm on IR, I did query it and apparently my council don't have CB on their ESA, so they just stick everyone on IR. It could be similar to your friends situation.

They do say they will write again at the end of the month, but I would be inclined to phone them. Your friend will certainly get the living expenses and WRAG parts, the others, I really do not know but they make a large chunk, so I would call them.

I bet the call centres hate today, poor guys and girls, they didn't make the rules yet they take all the flack.

delluver

How does she get the extra money because she's severely disabled but in WRAG?

delluver

She should be in Support Group, poor lady!

zippy1969

moose1982 wrote: »

Your friend will certainly get the living expenses and WRAG parts, the others, I really do not know but they make a large chunk, so I would call them.

I bet the call centres hate today, poor guys and girls, they didn't make the rules yet they take all the flack.

I'm just on the phone to them now (on hold)...on her behalf.

For anyone needing to call, forget the 0845 number...I've used a number I found on 'saynoto0870':

01942 626001

It appears to be a Wigan number. I have unlimited landline calls on my mobile so it's free.