ESA and Pregnancy

Heartnsoul

I'm 28 weeks pregnant and was told earlier on in my pregnancy I needed to let ESA know when I was 28 weeks - I've just rung up and nothing happened, I was just told they'll update my files.
Is this normal?
Thanks

pmlindyloo

This is probably because if you are pregnant and within 11 weeks of your expected due date you can claim Income Support instead of ESA.

However, changing may mean a loss of money depending on whether you are in the WRAG/Support Group/Assessment phase.

Put your details into the benefit calculator on https://www.turn2us.org.uk to see how you would fare on Income Support.

Of course, if you are in the assessment phase of ESA then making a decision to change or not would depend on whether or not you are likely to get into the Support group.

poppy12345

Claiming Income Support may not be possible if your area is a full Universal Credit area, it would have to be this instead. Unless of course you have more than 2 children, then you can't claim UC, it would be Income Support. Check your area here. http://ucpostcode.entitledto.co.uk/ucdate

pmlindyloo

poppy12345 wrote: »

Claiming Income Support may not be possible if your area is a full Universal Credit area, it would have to be this instead. Unless of course you have more than 2 children, then you can't claim UC, it would be Income Support. Check your area here. http://ucpostcode.entitledto.co.uk/ucdate

Oh Lord, forgot this

poppy12345

pmlindyloo wrote: »

Oh Lord, forgot this

No worries, I do it all the time lol. I'm forever editing my posts because i forget something :rotfl:

calcotti

poppy12345 wrote: »

No worries, I do it all the time lol. I'm forever editing my posts because i forget something :rotfl:

We'd have less to remember if the system was simpler!

Heartnsoul

Sorry I don't understand your reply. I asked if it was normal and now you're talking about income support and asking me to input details into a calculator. I know what benefits I'm entitled to, I'm worried whether there'll be a change to my ESA and whether it's normal for them to say 'we'll update your file'; nothing regarding income support was mentioned, plus I'm long term disabled so I qualify unconditionally for esa not income support. So I don't understand your reply. It's either normal or not

pmlindyloo

Heartnsoul wrote: »

Sorry I don't understand your reply. I asked if it was normal and now you're talking about income support and asking me to input details into a calculator. I know what benefits I'm entitled to, I'm worried whether there'll be a change to my ESA and whether it's normal for them to say 'we'll update your file'; nothing regarding income support was mentioned, plus I'm long term disabled so I qualify unconditionally for esa not income support. So I don't understand your reply. It's either normal or not

We based on our replies on the very little information that you gave us.

You are on ESA and you were told to telephone the DWP when you were 28 weeks pregnant.

This is usually because if you are single and pregnant you may be eligible for Income Support (or Universal Credit) This does not mean that you cannot stay on ESA. You are still eligible for ESA.

For some people it is better to move to Income support or Universal Credit because you would receive more money on that than on ESA.

You would be eligible for Income support (Universal Credit)when you have 11 weeks before your expected due date and then after your baby is born you are eligible as a lone parent.

It is equally possible that they are asking for another reason - for instance, if you have to attend work related activities as part of being on ESA then they may 'switch them off' at the later stage of your pregnancy.

There is nothing to worry about. I am sure they will contact you if they need to. You will not be moved off your ESA because you have reached this stage of your pregnancy.

If we have totally misread your situation then apologies.