Contribution based ESA can i have savings?

TellMe63

I am entitled to and in reciept of Contribution based ESA, I also recieve PIP but claim no other means testedbenefits.  Unfortunately my mother sadly passed away this year, she may have left me some money, it wont be huge amount, but will certainly help to buy a home.  I am unclear if I can have savings while on contributory benefits.  One advisor says yes its fine open an ISA ? The whole process of claiming benefit whilst very ill was so stressfull and anxiety making i dont want to have to deal with DWP if i dont have to.

poppy12345

You will need to make sure that all of your ESA is Contributions based, if it is then savings/capital won't affect it.

If part of your ESA is Income related then savings of more than £6.000 will affect the amount you're entitled to. More than £16.000 and you won't be entitled to any means tested benefits. Do you claim any other benefits such as housing benefit and council tax reduction?

TellMe63

No I don't claim anything else at all.  I looked at my ESA I am Contribution based and in the Support group I did notice part of ESA is made up of Disability Income Guarantee? but other than that i don't claim anything else.

poppy12345

TellMe63 said:

No I don't claim anything else at all.  I looked at my ESA I am Contribution based and in the Support group I did notice part of ESA is made up of Disability Income Guarantee? but other than that i don't claim anything else.

The disability income guarantee is otherwise known as the Enhanced disability premium and is only paid as part of Income related ESA so at least part of your ESA is Income Related. This means that your ESA is £128.45 per week. If it was just Contributions based then you would be receiving £111.65 per week.

If it's the first amount that you're receiving then you really do need to find out exactly what your ESA claim is and you can do this by contacting DWP to ask.

Do you live alone?