ESA confusion with JSA, help needed

daphnemoon

Hi there,

Recently I have provided change of savings information to dwp and they called me to say they are not going to penalise me for spending some money.

I got a payment covering the missed payment of ESA that they were holding until they sorted the money situation.

The catch up payment came through with a JSA reference on it but I thought it was a one off with the catch up payment.

Now I've been paid a different amount and it's a day early plus it's still got a JSA reference on it.

I don't really know what to do, does this mean they have moved me from ESA to JSA? I've had no communication from them about any of this since the call saying they are not going to penalise me.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated as I'm really worried and scared to call up.

Thanks

rogerblack

You cannot legally be moved from ESA to JSA without actually applying for JSA.
It is not automatic.
A payment error is the likely simple answer.
Is the payment the right amount?
Wait till next regular scheduled payment - and see if it comes through with the correct code before doing anything.
In principle then you might call them and ask. But if it's the right amount, there is no reason to worry - as JSA would not be the same amount as ESA.
(unless you are in the first stages of an ESA claim or doing an appeal)

pmlindyloo

daphnemoon wrote: »

Hi there,

Recently I have provided change of savings information to dwp and they called me to say they are not going to penalise me for spending some money.

I got a payment covering the missed payment of ESA that they were holding until they sorted the money situation.

The catch up payment came through with a JSA reference on it but I thought it was a one off with the catch up payment.

Now I've been paid a different amount and it's a day early plus it's still got a JSA reference on it.

I don't really know what to do, does this mean they have moved me from ESA to JSA? I've had no communication from them about any of this since the call saying they are not going to penalise me.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated as I'm really worried and scared to call up.

Thanks

Quite difficult to advise as we haven't got any background information.

You will not have been changed fro ESA to JSA without some kind of notification.

When you say it has a JSA reference what exactly do you mean?

Why don't you want to telephone them?

Are you on income based ESA?

daphnemoon

Thanks for the replies, apologies the post is a little vague!

1) I've been on ESA for roughly 2 years, income based.

2) I suffer from anxiety related to my disability and phone calls are very hard for me to work myself up to.

3) The reference I got in my bank account was my NI number followed by DWP JSA.

4) The amount is different from previously but I think this is related to the drop in my savings, but I'm not 100% sure as I've had no info from them since the change.

Thanks for all your help.

pmlindyloo

daphnemoon wrote: »

Thanks for the replies, apologies the post is a little vague!

1) I've been on ESA for roughly 2 years, income based.

2) I suffer from anxiety related to my disability and phone calls are very hard for me to work myself up to.

3) The reference I got in my bank account was my NI number followed by DWP JSA.

4) The amount is different from previously but I think this is related to the drop in my savings, but I'm not 100% sure as I've had no info from them since the change.

Thanks for all your help.

Thanks for the further information.

I agree that the reference is probably just an error.

You would not be moved from ESA to JSA without notification.

The different amount would be because your savings have changed.

If you had between £6000 and £16000 then any amount above £6000 would have been deducted at the rate of £1 for every £250 over.

From what you say you have spent some of your savings and they have been happy that this was necessary savings (not deprivation of capital) and therefore your ESA should have increased.

Sorry not to be more exact but difficult to do without exact figures.

They will send you a letter about the new assessment (in time ) so unless you think the amount is wildly out then I should wait for the letter and your next pay.

epitome

ESA faster payments are always made with a JSA reference. It's nothing to worry about.

daphnemoon

epitome wrote: »

ESA faster payments are always made with a JSA reference. It's nothing to worry about.

Thanks for the reply.

I've always previously had the EESA reference after all payments over the last two years, even catch up payments when situation has changed. That's why I'm concerned, tried to call today but couldn't get through, will try again tomorrow.

daphnemoon

Well I spoke with them and the payment date was changed for just the one payment and will be back to my normal day next payment.

The lady I spoke to said normally the JSA code is used as they use the same payment system for both JSA and ESA. Apparently it does not matter which reference is used as both are fine.

So all sorted, lovely lady I spoke with was very reassuring indeed.