ESA disability premiums / UC / PIP

samk777

I thought it was New Style as only a fairly recent claim since UC went live in my area. It was suggested that I claim when my contractual sick pay runs out. Presumably the forms being sent will be for income related (currently contributions based) and for SDP. Had I gone ahead and applied for UC I would have lost legacy tax credits if able to return to work at a later date.
Re timing of application for income related ESA - any info on when to apply following last salary payment? It sounded like immediately after was the right time for UC but not sure howthis works for ESA. Any info welcome. Thanks.

poppy12345

samk777 wrote: »

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 .

This just goes to prove that DWP advisers do not know what they are talking about a lot of the time and they give really bad advice on top.


As previously advised because you're claiming New style ESA you won't be able to claim SDP or any other disability premium on top of your ESA. They are not paid with New style ESA.

poppy12345

samk777 wrote: »

Re timing of application for income related ESA - any info on when to apply following last salary payment? It sounded like immediately after was the right time for UC but not sure howthis works for ESA. Any info welcome. Thanks.

You can't apply for Income Related ESA because it no longer exists, to get the top up you'll need to claim Universal Credit.

calcotti

OP, how long have you had your ESA award? Were you in receipt of any other benefits before ESA?
If it is old style ESA then the SDP can be added because contribution based and income based ESA are part of the same benefit.
If it is new style ESA then there is no income based element and SDP cannot be added.

poppy12345

calcotti wrote: »

OP, how long have you had your ESA award?

It's New style ESA that's being claimed since April 2019 as this thread suggests. https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5990981

calcotti

poppy12345 wrote: »

It's New style ESA that's being claimed since April 2019 as this thread suggests. https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5990981

Thanks, poppy.
OP, if that is the case, as poppy said previously, SDP is not applicable as it only relates to income based ESA.

samk777

The ESA claim started in May when my SSP ended. Before the claim I was in receipt of working tax credits with severe disability element and enhanced care rate for PIP. I am now in the support group for ESA. Sounds like I need to phone DWP again.

poppy12345

samk777 wrote: »

The ESA claim started in May when my SSP ended. Before the claim I was in receipt of working tax credits with severe disability element and enhanced care rate for PIP. Sounds like I need to phone DWP again.

The disabled element of WTC is completely different. As previously advised because you claim New style ESA you won't be able to claim SDP because it doesn't exist.