ESA disability premiums / UC / PIP

samk777

Hi
I have a question about ESA, PIP and disability premiums. I phoned the DWP today to find out if I had been allocated to the support group for my contributions based ESA. I was told that I have been allocated to the support group and the letter is on its way. I was also told the amount of benefit that I will be receiving and this corresponded to the basic amount plus the support group element. I realised after being relieved about the decision and ending the call that I hadn’t been awarded any severe or enhanced disability premium. I looked up the criteria for the premiums and it said these were awarded if on other qualifying benefits. I could not find any other disability or points related criteria. I am in receipt of enhanced PIP. Should I have automatically been awarded disability premiums because of this? Do these premiums apply to contribution based ESA or only to income based? I was also in receipt of disability working tax credit with a severe disability premium until about three months ago when my SSP ended. I notice that this could also be a benefit leading to disability premiums on ESA.
The other part of my question relates to income related ESA and universal credit. I am currently in receipt of some contractual sick pay but this ends soon. At this point I will need to apply for income based benefits. I am hoping that I won’t have to apply for universal credit as if I do so I won’t be able to go back on to working tax credits as a legacy benefit if I am able to return to work. Will I have to apply for UC? It looks like I wouldn’t if I am getting disability premiums on my ESA. Would I be able to apply for income related ESA instead? It seems that I need to make sure that I sort things out in the right order so any advice about this would be welcome.
For information I am also currently registered as a full-time disabled student.

poppy12345

It's difficult to read your post because there's no paragraphs but i'll try to answer.



It sounds like to me that you're claiming New style ESA, if so then there's no disability premiums paid on this because there's no income related top up available. The maximum amount you can claim on New style ESA is £111.85 per week.


If you need to claim any means tested benefits for help with your rent then you'll need to claim universal credit. If you claim UC then your tax credits will end.



There's also no disability premiums payable on UC.

calcotti

As poppy says New style ESA is a contribution based benefit only. To get an income based top up (and help with rent if applicable) you will have to claim UC. The good news is that because you have already been placed in the ESA Support a Group you will be entitled to the LCWRA element in a UC from the start of your UC claim.

You will continue to get ESA paid fortnightly and UC will be paid monthly. The amount of UC will be reduced by the ESA you receive (converted to a regular monthly deduction).

The best time to apply for UC is likely to be just after you have received your last payment from work otherwise this payment will be taken into account and you may have no UC entitlement. Obviously this depends on the actual numbers involved. You can check your entitlement using a calculator such as https://www.entitledto.co.uk/

[Deleted User]

Can students Claim UC?

huckster

_shel wrote: »

Can students Claim UC?

Thought students with a disability and in receipt of a disability benefit were entitled to claim UC. Obviously deduction would be made from UC in regard to student finance paid towards living costs.

[Deleted User]

huckster wrote: »

Thought students with a disability and in receipt of a disability benefit were entitled to claim UC. Obviously deduction would be made from UC in regard to student finance paid towards living costs.

Not a clue, they could with esa but UC is harsh so never know what to expect.

poppy12345

It depends on the circumstances. As the OP has LCW then yes they will be able to claim UC. Any loans they receive, whether they take them or not will affect the amount they can claim.

calcotti

_shel wrote: »

Can students Claim UC?

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/universal-credit-and-students

samk777

Hi
I spoke to the DWP to check something on my ESA award letter and they said I should meet the criteria for severe disability premium. They asked some screening questions about PIP rate and living situation. I said I thought I wasn't eligible and had to apply for UC when sick pay runs out but they said they are sending me an application form. Now I really am confused .

[Deleted User]

If you get PIP care (either rate) live alone (or with someone else who gets PiP) and no one claims carers allowance for looking after you and you get income related ESA then you should get SDP which is around £64 per week.

calcotti

venison wrote: »

If you get PIP care (either rate) live alone (or with someone else who gets PiP) and no one claims carers allowance for looking after you and you get income related ESA then you should get SDP which is around £64 per week.

Just to add that if you qualify the SDP should be added to all future ESA payments but you should also get an arrears payment backdated to whenever you first met the qualifying conditions.

It does sound as if you are getting the old type of ESA. If you are awarded the SDP you are then excluded from being able to claim UC.