Understanding ESA Payments

brucie25

Hi,

I recently won a pip tribunal and and was awarded enhanced for both although I was already getting enhanced for mobility since mandatory reconsideration stage and I am waiting to be contacted by DWP.

I am trying to understand why ESA payments went from £222 a fortnight to £352 a fortnight after I lost DLA a year ago so I can then understand if my partner will be getting Carers Allowance backdated since the date it stopped.

Me and my partner live together and claim ESA as a couple with me being in the support group. As mentioned she was getting Carers Allowance until I lost DLA and I would assume it would be backdated but then I can't understand why our ESA went up so much after losing DLA, can anyone help me?

poppy12345

brucie25 wrote: »

Hi,

I recently won a pip tribunal and and was awarded enhanced for both although I was already getting enhanced for mobility since mandatory reconsideration stage and I am waiting to be contacted by DWP.

I am trying to understand why ESA payments went from £222 a fortnight to £352 a fortnight after I lost DLA a year ago so I can then understand if my partner will be getting Carers Allowance backdated since the date it stopped.

Me and my partner live together and claim ESA as a couple with me being in the support group. As mentioned she was getting Carers Allowance until I lost DLA and I would assume it would be backdated but then I can't understand why our ESA went up so much after losing DLA, can anyone help me?

ESA couples rate is £114.85 per week, plus £37.65 for being in the Support Group, plus Enhanced disability premium couples £23.55 (figures are per week) Total per week £176.05 (fortnight £352.10) so the money you're receiving now is correct.


The money you were receiving when you were claiming DLA is not correct. Your partner was receiving carers allowance for looking after you, so this amount £64.30 per week is taken from your ESA and a carers premium (£36 per week) is added. This should have given a total weekly amount of £147.75 per week. £295.50 a fortnight. Were they taking any money from your ESA during that time for any loans or anything?


To answer your question about carers allowance claim, yes your partner can claim it and back date it to the start of your PIP award. The carers premium of £36 per week will be back dated.

brucie25

Thank you for replying.

You are right, there was a loan that explained the payments of £222 for ESA. They dropped from £292 after we received a loan.

I am still a little confused, so will ESA have been affected in any way which would mean that carers allowance won't be backdated since when it was stopped (i.e ESA payments increased so no monies due)? Or can my partner expect carers allowance to be paid from a year ago?

poppy12345

brucie25 wrote: »

Thank you for replying.

You are right, there was a loan that explained the payments of £222 for ESA. They dropped from £292 after we received a loan.

I am still a little confused, so will ESA have been affected in any way which would mean that carers allowance won't be backdated since when it was stopped (i.e ESA payments increased so no monies due)? Or can my partner expect carers allowance to be paid from a year ago?

As previously explained, the carers allowance is deducted from you ESA and a carers premium is added. Carers allowance then pay your partner £64.30 per week. It's the carers premium of £36 per week that will be backdated, not the carer allowance. Works out that you'll be £36 per week better off.

brucie25

Ok, thanks for your help.