Tariff income and ESA [contribution based]

weanie

I remember being asked if I had a certain amount of money in the bank and was happy to say not but there have been so many forms to fill in recently and I am not feeling completely on top of it all.
I feel completely comfortable with claiming benefits based on decades of contributions but the problem is that when you ring up now, there is usually only the most basic advice available and not even specifically about my claim.
Yesterday, I was flapping as I thought I might have to repay the money already received.
Many thanks

pmlindyloo

sangio wrote: »

Hang on that isn't right surely?


When you claim ESA the claim form is split into two parts.

One the claim itself (details of illness etc and secondly the means tested element.)

You can claim only for contribution based and have no reason or need to fill in the rest of the form. The DWP have no idea what savings I have or such like as it has nothing to do with them. Yet I receive Contribution based ESA and have done since October 2009.

If they say that you can't have contribution based then and only then do you claim for the means tested one.

For someone who is claiming and receiving a contribution based benefit (ESA or JSA) the DWP have no right to request this type of info. They can only ask about pensions as they affect the contribution based benefit.

Pensions are taken in full for income based ESA

It's all very complicated isn't it?

I was only answering with information based on my sister's case.

She was definitely entitled to income based ESA originally but was awarded contribution based ESA. (I know she was entitled to income based ESA as her year on Contribution based ESA has now ended and she has been transferred to Income based ESA and none of her circumstances have changed)

So I thought you were awarded contribution based ESA if you were eligible, even though you may also be entitled to income based ESA because of your income /savings.

I thought that if you were entitled to both (in theory) you were always awarded the contribution based benefit because it came out of a differnet 'pot of money'. But you were also assessed for income based because this passported you to HB, housing costs (when mortgage was involved)and CTB. (though I recognise that HB and CTB could be applied for separately.)

My head is now spinning!

Wish I could find some evidence to back this up but all I can find are links saying that both income based and contribution based can be awarded together for ESA.

Employment and Support Allowance

Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) is for people who:

• can't work because of sickness or disability, and
• aren't getting Statutory Sick Pay.

There are two types of ESA:

• contributory ESA, which you can get if you have paid enough national insurance contributions
• income-related ESA which is paid if your income and capital are low enough.

You may be able to get both contributory ESA and income-related ESA, depending on your circumstances. For both types of ESA, you will usually have to have various tests to confirm that you have limited capability for work. (Adviceguide)

epitome

weanie wrote: »

I remember being asked if I had a certain amount of money in the bank and was happy to say not but there have been so many forms to fill in recently and I am not feeling completely on top of it all.
I feel completely comfortable with claiming benefits based on decades of contributions but the problem is that when you ring up now, there is usually only the most basic advice available and not even specifically about my claim.
Yesterday, I was flapping as I thought I might have to repay the money already received.
Many thanks

I'm sure you did an income related claim without realising it, and they have agreed the conts side of things and so are paying you on that basis, but still working on the IR side of the claim, nothing to worry about, sorry to keep making you reply to this thread

epitome

pmlindyloo wrote: »

Pensions are taken in full for income based ESA

It's all very complicated isn't it?

The only bit you are not understanding is that you can either do a standalone claim for conts which you will pass or fail to be awarded with. Which is easier and has less questions.
OR
You can do what is called an Income Related claim which assesses you on everything, if you are entitled to Conts they will always pay out and exhaust conts first. The IR bit will be paid at the same time if you have a partner who needs supporting, because the conts only covers you. When your conts is exhausted they will be able to automatically keep paying you on IR because the assessment was already done (a year ago) and that's partly why it is illegal not to keep them informed of any changes.

MissMoneypenny

epitome wrote: »

And don't forget if you are paid ESA C to begin with you can't get free prescriptions dental opticians etc, to get these you must apply using a an HC1 form from your doctor, otician dentist or by phoning for one, number is on the direct gov website.

OP said she has an investment property, so she may be subject to the capital rules it seems, depending on her illness.

From the government site

Help if you're on a low income

NHS Low Income Scheme


If none of the above apply and you're on a low income you may be able to get help through the NHS Low Income Scheme.
The amount of help you get will depend on the amount of income you have. You may not be entitled to any help if your savings are above the limits shown below.
You can't get help if:

• you live permanently in a care home and have £23,250 in property, savings or other money
• you, or your partner or civil partner together have £16,000 in property (excluding the place where you live), savings or other money

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/moneytaxandbenefits/benefitstaxcreditsandothersupport/illorinjured/dg_10018978

epitome

Ye, she may not get it, I was just making her aware that at present she was not entitled to free prescriptions, many people do not undertand this.

missmiauk

Hello,
Im confused... :embarasse
Does anyone know what happens if you are on esa income tested & get into a relationship with someone who works fulltime with an income of around £1600.
Thank you.

Currently on esa/support group & dla high mob,low care for 4 years.

epitome

missmiauk wrote: »

Hello,
Im confused... :embarasse
Does anyone know what happens if you are on esa income tested & get into a relationship with someone who works fulltime with an income of around £1600.
Thank you.

Currently on esa/support group & dla high mob,low care for 4 years.

If you move in together your ESA IR will stop

Kev27

So is it impossible to be awarded ESA IR once you have been put on ESA Contributions, if not then how would you go about this and what would be the correct form to request and fill in?

epitome

Kev27 wrote: »

So is it impossible to be awarded ESA IR once you have been put on ESA Contributions, if not then how would you go about this and what would be the correct form to request and fill in?

You cannot get ESA IR if you are single and been awarded ESA C, until your ESA C runs out. Unless there is an underlying reason that requires you to be on ESA IR for example you have a mortgage and you would (if on ESA IR) be entitled to mortgage help. but this does not apply to prescription help, because that help is available elsewhere.

If you have a partner who is not working and not much savings you will be awarded a small amount of ESA IR to top you up to cover your partner.

If you have a valid reason to need ESA IR, they will send you an ESA3