ESA and student loan

Ryanj_3

I currently get ESA and I'm in the support group. I'm planning to return to university in Sept and wanted to know how exactly this will affect my ESA payments.

I also get DLA so will be eligible to continue claiming while in education.

Thanks for any input.

LL30

Are you on income based or contributions based ESA?

Ryanj_3

I'm not sure, I think it's income based.

LL30

If you're on income based, your loans will be taken into account as income, bar some disregards, so your ESA will decrease. I'm not sure on the workings out, I suggest you contact your Uni's welfare dept and they should be able to go through the calculations with you.

For contributions based, the loans aren't taken into account as income and therefore no deductions from your ESA are made.

Ryanj_3

Am I right in assuming when my paper work says I will be credited for national insurance contributions that means that I'm not on income related?

pmlindyloo

Ryanj wrote: »

Am I right in assuming when my paper work says I will be credited for national insurance contributions that means that I'm not on income related?

No, you receive NI credits whether you are on income or contribution based ESA.

Look at your award letter - it should tell you whether the ESA is income based or contribution based.

If you were working and paying NI contributions in the two tax years before you claimed ESA then it would be contribution based or if you were transferred from Incapacity Benefit then it would be contribution based.

Ryanj_3

Does this information help, the letter days.....

No income will be taken off your Employment and Support Allowance
Your income-related amount is £56.80 less total income of £0.00
so your income-related entitlement is £56.80
This amount of this page apply from 10 April 2013 to 19th June 2013

Blackpool_Saver

Part time is ok on any benefit as far as I am aware

pmlindyloo

Ryanj wrote: »

Does this information help, the letter days.....

No income will be taken off your Employment and Support Allowance
Your income-related amount is £56.80 less total income of £0.00
so your income-related entitlement is £56.80
This amount of this page apply from 10 April 2013 to 19th June 2013

This seems to confirm that you are on income ESA.

Horseunderwater

Ryanj wrote: »

I currently get ESA and I'm in the support group. I'm planning to return to university in Sept and wanted to know how exactly this will affect my ESA payments.

I also get DLA so will be eligible to continue claiming while in education.

Thanks for any input.

Hi Ryanj

DWP are not paying you the correct amount for the Support group - it should be £56.80 + £34.80 per week as you have had a decision telling you that you are in the Support group. So you need to ring and ask them why you are not on the correct amount. Also if you are on income related ESA you should also get a premium of £15.15 per week on top of that as you get DLA too. Ask them why they are not paying this to you as well. Just thought I'd give you a head up on that one.

Ryanj_3

My money went up to £120 per week around 4 weeks ago if this helps?