ESA help.

epitome

All "DLA/PIP receiving" full time students who claim ESA IR, like OPs son, will have their ESA IR affected by other income, such as student finance.

So whatever his award is
£57.90
£73.10
£125.55
The DWP will deduct the student income average and pay whatever is left, which may be nothing on all 3 rates above.

I believe though that student maintenance for *these* (DLA/PIP) students is not taken into account in the summer break.

minimad1970

epitome wrote: »

All "DLA/PIP receiving" full time students who claim ESA IR, like OPs son, will have their ESA IR affected by other income, such as student finance.

So whatever his award is
£57.90
£73.10
£125.55
The DWP will deduct the student income average and pay whatever is left, which may be nothing on all 3 rates above.

I believe though that student maintenance for *these* (DLA/PIP) students is not taken into account in the summer break.

I've just phoned and read the text to the lady who then checked his account. He's been placed in the support group for a year but she didn't know if he would receive any money or not. Thanks for all your advice.

Jack'sMum

Hi Minimad,

We have an almost identical situation! I needed a lot of help earlier in the year with my son's claim, he's a full time uni student on ESA. Below is the link to the thread I posted, some very helpful people on here gave me invaluable and very informative advice, have a read through as a lot of it will probably apply to your son too....

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5606697

Jack'sMum

epitome

minimad1970 wrote: »

I've just phoned and read the text to the lady who then checked his account. He's been placed in the support group for a year but she didn't know if he would receive any money or not. Thanks for all your advice.

I doubt he is in the Support Group(yet), but to be certain...I would first phone CHDA 0800 2888777

And ask them....
"Is there a live ESA referral for me?"

If they say "yes" (that means he will not be in the Support Group, not yet anyway).....
and you should then ask, "Has a decision been made yet if I am to have a face to face assessment?" and "Has the appointment for the assessment been made yet?"

If they say "No" (that means he could be in the Support Group)
and you should then ask "Has the Medical Report been written and sent to DWP?" ..."When was it written?"


Depending on the answers you get from CHDA... I would then phone DWP ESA again and ask them again to look in screen JA791 and tell me what the latest PCA decision is showing as...

minimad1970

Thanks epitome. Can I ask why you've said "I doubt he is in the support group". That's annoying if she's told me incorrectly. She went away and checked and definitely said he's been placed in the support group and no face to face assessment was required. I wish I hadn't told my son now as he was so relieved. I'll give the other people a ring tomorrow. Do you know if they will speak to me without my son being here. He has consent to share set up on his ESA and DLA. Thanks.

epitome

She could be right, I only suggest that you confirm it with CHDA as suggested.

CHDA won't tell you what group he is in, but they will confirm if the report has been written, and a face to face is therefore not required..........If so then the girl could have been right, you will know when the letter arrives.

I just thought it was a bit quick,,that's all.

KxMx

Unfortunately you are at the limit of permitted savings for income related ESA, and are expected to spend those rather than have full benefit assistance in terms of ESA & CTR.

I'd suggest it is a rainy day now. Once your capital drops then you can submit a change of circumstances, and a new award will be calculated. So you will not have to spend the whole 6k to qualify & will still have some money behind you.

pmlindyloo

KxMx wrote: »

Unfortunately you are at the limit of permitted savings for income related ESA, and are expected to spend those rather than have full benefit assistance in terms of ESA & CTR.

I'd suggest it is a rainy day now. Once your capital drops then you can submit a change of circumstances, and a new award will be calculated. So you will not have to spend the whole 6k to qualify & will still have some money behind you.

This is not correct. You can have up to £16000 in capital for income based ESA but for every £250 over £6000 a £1 is deducted from your ESA.

So if you have £6000 then you should be getting the full amount of ESA (as long as you have no other income, including that of a partner)

I suspect that the OP is talking about CT reduction rather than ESA.

Perhaps the OP can confirm what benefits they are receiving? ESA? Income related/contribution based?

Councils operate their own system as regards council tax reduction (with a few that are legislated for)

Which council do you come under?

pmlindyloo

For instance, this council's regulations mean that if you have savings/capital of £6000 or more then you are not eligible for council tax reduction.

https://www.leicester.gov.uk/your-community/council-tax/discounts-exemptions-and-reductions/council-tax-reduction-scheme

pmlindyloo

Check to see if your council has a discretionary relief scheme like this.

https://www.leicester.gov.uk/your-community/council-tax/discounts-exemptions-and-reductions/council-tax-reduction-discretionary-relief/