How does the severe disability premium work please?

Dear_diary

I am currently getting cbased esa and am being reviewed for a backdated incomebased esa. To find my applicable amount, there is a severe disability amount as well as an enhanced disability, a support group element and basic element.
Once my income is subtracted from this total, I expect to be awarded a small amount of income based esa, as a top up to my contribution based esa.
My question is this: if I am found to be eligible for even a small amount of income based esa, will the severe disability premium be added to my final award. Or is it simply an amount used to calculate my applicable amount?
I am currently getting £112.05 and am on the standard lliving rate for pip. So would my esa be £112 +the income topup+ the severe disability premium?

Thank you so much for any advice.

pmlindyloo

If you are definitely entitled to the SDP then this becomes part of the applicable amount.

For 2018/2019 the amounts would be
ESA standard rate £73.10
Support component £37.65
Enhanced disability premium £16.40
Severe Disability Premium £64.30
Total £191.45

You currently get £112.05 contribution based ESA (with a 'transitional protection' of £1.30 when you transferred from IB to ESA) so you would be eligible for an income based 'top up' of £79.40.

Hopefully someone will check my figures!

Any other income will be deducted from this income based top up but there are rules about how it is deducted depending on what kind of income it is so you need to tell us what other income you have.

I am sure you are aware that you need to be eligible for the income based top up and meet the criteria for means tested benefits - basically, not having a partner that works more than 24 hrs a week and not having savings over £16000 - to be eligible for the EDP and the SDP. You also need to meet the rules for the EDP which you do as you are in the support group. Do you meet the rules for the SDP - live alone, no one claiming carer's allowance for you and receiving the standard living element of PIP (yes, to the last one)

Plus, any backdated money will be based on the EDP and SDP rates at the time plus will take into account all the requirements needed to be eligible for means tested benefits since your transfer for IB to ESA.

If you are not eligible for any income based ESA your ESA amount will remain the same as it is now as long as you are in the support group.

Dear_diary

Thank you very much for such a fast and detailed reply.
Yes, I meet the criteria for both SDP and EDP. I live with my young daughter, and no one claims carers allowance to look after me. I don't have any savings.

My other income comes from a small occupational pension. It is currently £77/week. It only rises with inflation and started at £72/week. So that would be deducted from the total amount?
So that would be 79.40-£77 = £2.40?
(I might also be entitled to help with housing costs. My ground rent and service charge comes to £17/week. I am not certain of this though.)

So, if I was entitled to a £2.40 topup, would that mean that my final award would be
112.05+1.30+2.40 = £115.75?

Is that correct? I think I was mistaken in thinking that the disability premiums would be added to this figure too giving 115+16.40+64.30. Wishful thinking.....

Many thanks for your help

pmlindyloo

The £112.05 already contains the transitional amount,the £1.30 - so you would just get the extra £2.40 (if mine and your figures are correct)

You could put your current situation into the benefits calculator on https://www.turn2us.org.uk to check. It is usually correct if you put in the right figures.

Dear_diary

Thank you very much. I’ll do that
Best regards

Dear_diary

Can I just clarify too that the disability premium is not added to the 112.05+2.40?
So my entire benefit would be £114.45?
Sorry for so many questions. I just want to be clear in my head
Many thanks
Christine

Dear_diary

Can I just clarify too that the disability premium is not added to the 112.05+2.40?
So my entire benefit would be £114.45?
Sorry for so many questions. I just want to be clear in my head
Many thanks
Christine

poppy12345

Your occupational pension will be counted as income £1 for £1 when calculating any income related top up, so your total amount of Income related from April this year will be £2.40 on top of your existing CB ESA. The disability premiums will not be added to your figures.

Dear_diary

Thank you very much. I really appreciate your help