Esa3 form

Saffy123

Received the above form. I am on contributory ESA, the form asks for details going back to 2014. I have option to ask not to be considered if: at that time I had savings over £16K/I or husband worked more than 24 hours per week or I and partner have or had savings over £16,000.

My question is, I if ask them not to be considered for ESA income related top up and tick one of the boxes saying I or we had savings over £16K during that period, would they still ask for bank statements? My husband who does not claim any benefits would be very reluctant to provide such personal information to DWP. It does also specify on the form that ESA contributory would not be affected if we/I did having savings.

Any thoughts or comments greatly appreciated. Many thanks.

pmlindyloo

That's fine. If you have/had savings over £16K since the time you transferred from IB to ESA then you would not be eligible for income based ESA so you can tick that box.

The DWP contacted everybody who transferred from IB to ESA to check whether they should have been entitled to an income based 'top up'.

They should not ask for any bank statements as you are not putting in a claim for income based ESA. Contribution based ESA is not affected by savings.

Saffy123

Hi very many thanks for the prompt reply much appreciated. I pretty much thought the same as everything I've read says that contributory ESA is not means tested and savings are unaffected. So I see no reason why the DWP should ask for bank statements if I were to tick the box saying I had or have savings over £16K. I have nothing to hide, just having had my bank account hacked on a couple of occasions I would not be at all happy sending copies of statements if they were asked for. I cannot think why they would want proof of savings as I wouldn't be claiming IR ESA. However, can anything really be that simple asfaras DWP are concerned ? ! Appreciate your replies and assistance.

Saffy123

Hi, further to the above, this morning I have just noticed an amount of £110.75 credited to my account from DWP. I am not sure what this is for as I am not due to receive my fortnightly payment until 11th January 2019. I sent the ESA3 form back before Christmas saying that I did not wish to be assessed for income related. I have not had any further communication from them as yet so now I am concerned that they will just stop my normal payments. Could you please advise?? Many thanks

poppy12345

Saffy123 wrote: »

Hi, further to the above, this morning I have just noticed an amount of £110.75 credited to my account from DWP. I am not sure what this is for as I am not due to receive my fortnightly payment until 11th January 2019. I sent the ESA3 form back before Christmas saying that I did not wish to be assessed for income related. I have not had any further communication from them as yet so now I am concerned that they will just stop my normal payments. Could you please advise?? Many thanks

Yes, you and most likely 1000's of others too. Payments due during next week are receiving 1 weeks money early due to an error. The other payment will be receive as normal next week.

See thread here. https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5943154/unexpected-esa-payment

Saffy123

Ah OK thank you so very much for your prompt reply, that has certainly put my mind at rest a little !