Slightly confusing letter possibly connected with change from DLA to ESA

in_my_bumble_opinion

I've been helping an old friend with this process since November. They were getting DLA middle rate care and lower rate mobility and 101.35 income support. Together it came to 172.75 weekly.

With assistance from a support worker we sent off the form with supplementary letters from his CPN, GP, social worker and psychiatrist. That was around the start of December.

Anyway, today he has received a letter from the DWP which begins:

"I am writing to tell you that your recent change in circumstances does not affect the amount of Income Support we pay you, however there may be future changes in your entitlement.

This may be because of future changes you have told us about, the updating of benefit or changes in deductions from your benefit.

This means you will continue to get 101.35 a week."


Then it goes into the standard spiele. On the back it shows his DLA rates as normal in the calculations.

So, the question is what is this letter about? He's had no change in circumstances other than having to fill out the ESA form in November...is this letter connected to the decision? I'm assuming it can't be as there's no mention of ESA, but if it's not about that, then what?

Any ideas?

krisskross

There is always the possibility he may not meet the criteria for ESA so it may be something to do with his transition from IS to ESA.

in_my_bumble_opinion

krisskross wrote: »

There is always the possibility he may not meet the criteria for ESA so it may be something to do with his transition from IS to ESA.

Thanks for replying.

I thought that everyone on DLA was being switched to ESA? I know that his gp and psychitrist consider his condition to be long-term and chronic. As an example, he gets the severe impairment exemption from Council Tax. But if he doesn't fit the criteria for ESA, what will they put him on (assuming that DLA is ending)?

Torry_Quine

DLA and ESA are totally different benefits.

IS is changing to ESA and in the future DLA is changing to PIP.

in_my_bumble_opinion

Torry_Quine wrote: »

DLA and ESA are totally different benefits.

IS is changing to ESA and in the future DLA is changing to PIP.

Thanks, but now it seems even more confusing. If the ESA form that he did was connected to changing his IS to ESA then why would they write to tell him that his IS will not change and will continue on?

in_my_bumble_opinion

So his future payments (assuming he gets something similar to now) will be a combination of ESA and PIP?

Torry_Quine

in_my_bumble_opinion wrote: »

Thanks, but now it seems even more confusing. If the ESA form that he did was connected to changing his IS to ESA then why would they write to tell him that his IS will not change and will continue on?

Could it mean that he has been switched to ESA from IS but will be receiving the same amount?

in_my_bumble_opinion

Torry_Quine wrote: »

Could it mean that he has been switched to ESA from IS but will be receiving the same amount?

I'm kind of hoping that's what it means, but since it doesn't mention ESA anywhere I have my doubts.

Torry_Quine

in_my_bumble_opinion wrote: »

I'm kind of hoping that's what it means, but since it doesn't mention ESA anywhere I have my doubts.

I think that the only way to be clear is to phone the number on the letter to find out.

rogerblack

in_my_bumble_opinion wrote: »

I've been helping an old friend with this process since November. They were getting DLA middle rate care and lower rate mobility and 101.35 income support. Together it came to 172.75 weekly.

With assistance from a support worker we sent off the form with supplementary letters from his CPN, GP, social worker and psychiatrist. That was around the start of December.

Is this a request that he should be eligible for a higher level of DLA?
It's possible that this has been turned down, and this letter has reached you before the official letter that outlines the decision made.

in_my_bumble_opinion

rogerblack wrote: »

Is this a request that he should be eligible for a higher level of DLA?
It's possible that this has been turned down, and this letter has reached you before the official letter that outlines the decision made.

No, it was an ESA form he was asked to fill out.