ESA support group - Can I claim Severe Disability Premium, & how?

cats_rule_dogs_drool

pmlindyloo wrote: »

Yes, you can claim those extra 'benefits'.

I will try and explain it!

Contribution based ESA is based on your NI contributions and someone could claim this if they had a million pounds in the bank because it is not means tested.

The payment of contribution based benefits come from a different 'pot of money' so they will always pay this first even if you are eligible for an income based benefit because you have savings under £16000.

If you meet the criteria for an income based benefit as well as contribution based then they will 'top up' your money so you can get any disability premiums (extra money) that you are eligible for.

As already said these disability premiums are not paid unless you meet the criteria for income based.

In effect, you meet the criteria for both the income based benefit and the contribution based benefit. So, as said, they pay you the contribution based benefit and then 'top it up' with extra payments (the income based part)

For the extra benefits - free prescriptions etc - you are treated as if you are on income based ESA (because you are eligible for it)

Hope I've explained it clearly enough

Many thanks, you did explain it well

epitome

cats_rule_dogs_drool wrote: »

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2nd image is from the base of the first page of the letter, and the 1st image is from the second page where the calculations are.

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Your letter is quoting the ESA IR rate from 02/01/2016 . Your SG does not start until 12/03/2016 that is why it does not mention
"Your IR amount is £125.05" on your letter.

From 12/03/2016 you will get:
ESA Conts £109.30 (73.10 + 36.20)
ESA IR £125.05 (73.10 + 36.20 + 15.75)

At the moment, until and including 11/03/2016, you are on ESA Conts £73.10, you cannot use ESA for free prescriptions free dental free opticians...until 12/03/2016 when you will be on ESA IR.