From ESA wrag to support group-but don't think I am entited to the extra money?

justaquestion

Hi,

I would be grateful if someone would clear this up for me.

I was on IB contribution based and got an adult dependant amount for my partner as we have a child, so total amount I got in IB was over £164 a week.

I was migrated to ESA and initially put in wrag (still got the same amount each week) but as I felt I should be in support group I appealed and the DWP agreed with me without it actually going to tribunal.

I know there is an extra £6 or so for being in the support group but I sort of recall that there is some rule that if I already get more than the allocated amount then I don't get any increase.

Am I right in this that I will not receive anything extra each week?

Thank you for your help.

Justin

nannytone_2

you are correct.
you get transitional protection until the rate of ESA rises to match your current entitlement

rogerblack

There is an extra £6 on the basic rate - however you may also be entitled to other premiums.
You may be entitled to the enhanced disability premium at the couples rate - so £31 or so total extra.
http://www.nhs.uk/CarersDirect/moneyandlegal/otherbenefits/Pages/ESA-how-much.aspx

If I've done the sums right, and making some assumptions - I think this would exceed your old benefit.

justaquestion

rogerblack wrote: »

There is an extra £6 on the basic rate - however you may also be entitled to other premiums.
You may be entitled to the enhanced disability premium at the couples rate - so £31 or so total extra.
http://www.nhs.uk/CarersDirect/moneyandlegal/otherbenefits/Pages/ESA-how-much.aspx

If I've done the sums right, and making some assumptions - I think this would exceed your old benefit.

Thank you Nannytone and Roger for your replies.

Roger I have had a look at the link you kindly provided (it is a bit hard to understand) but I do get the impression enhanced disability premium may only come into play for income related ESA. I am on contribution based and we are not entitled to any means tested benefits atall.

Do you think that it still applies to ESA (cb) ?

Thank you so much.

Justin

rogerblack

justaquestion wrote: »

Thank you Nannytone and Roger for your replies.

Roger I have had a look at the link you kindly provided (it is a bit hard to understand) but I do get the impression enhanced disability premium may only come into play for income related ESA. I am on contribution based and we are not entitled to any means tested benefits atall.

Do you think that it still applies to ESA (cb) ?

it is my understnading - which may be wrong - that the amount for your partner is treated as if it was income based.

justaquestion

rogerblack wrote: »

it is my understnading - which may be wrong - that the amount for your partner is treated as if it was income based.

Thank you for your reply Roger.

I think the reason my partner got an addition under IB was because we had a child and she didn't earn more than £59 a week,but under the transitional rules for ESA we can still get it.


http://benefitsnow.co.uk/incapacity/adultdependant.asp

She was and is in full time child care.

But looking at that earlier link of yours it does come across that the disability preniums are only payable to those that receive esa income related as all of those preniums are under that section.

Thank you very much

epitome

justaquestion wrote: »

we are not entitled to any means tested benefits atall.

Why not? Savings over 16K? Pension(s)?

Do you think that it still applies to ESA (cb) ?

No it will not apply to ESA C

rogerblack wrote: »

it is my understnading - which may be wrong - that the amount for your partner is treated as if it was income based.

Not in this case, he will be on ESA C £164


I'll try to work out the ESA IR equivalent
112.55 PA
34.80 SG
21.75 EDP
Total 169.10 you would only get more if there was carers allowance or you both have DLA middle or high rate care

So if you win your appeal, and you think you qualified for ESA IR, you should complete an ESA3 form to get the extra EDP and you will see your amount rise by £5 per week.

If you win your appeal and you don't qualify for ESA IR you can count yourself lucky that you will continue to get £164 ESA C for as long as you are in the Support Group. And you will get no yearly increases.

If you remain in WRAG with no entitlement to ESA IR your ESA payments will cease after 365 days (it will remain open to pay your national insurance). You will then live on your savings or other income. You could look at Pension Credit.