Good reason for returning ESA50 late.

Robbie64

The recent change will be getting placed in the Support Group.

ESA letters can be very confusing, especially when random dates are included. Nothing should happen in December 2020 other than a Christmas Bonus (of £10) will be payable during the first full week in December. This is enough to sometimes lead to an ESA letter highlighting a December date. This may explain why December 2020 appears in the letter.

I assume the ESA claim is based on NI contributions. If so, savings have no effect on the ESA claim and it will continue indefinitely beyond December.

poppy12345

oh_really said:

The amounts apply from08/8/2020 until December 2020
Do these amounts appear correct.
What happens after Dec 2020, he has savings in excess of £16k. I/m guessing he keeps an underlying entitlement to ESA but will get no actual money, is this correct?

Tia 

This confuses most people and is likely to do with the Christmas bonus of £10. As he's been placed into the Support Group this is an ongoing award and continues to be paid for as long as he's entitled to it. There's no time limit to New style ESA in the support group.

https://www.gov.uk/christmas-bonus/eligibility

oh_really

Yes its cont based. At what point does this become income base as this could bring an abrupt end to the benefit.

Robbie64

oh_really said:

Yes its cont based. At what point does this become income base as this could bring an abrupt end to the benefit.

It won't become income based as new style ESA is a contributions only benefit. So long as the person meets the conditions of entitlement then the benefit will remain in payment. For someone in the support group this is an indefinite amount of time as payment is not time limited.

calcotti

oh_really said:

Can someone walkthrough the following letter. (he has been awarded ESA without medical and placed in the support group).
We have looked at your claim again following a recent change (there has been no change only a claim for ESA, slightly confusing).
From 1/08/2020 ESA will be £74.35
From 2/08/2020 ESA will be £113.55
Extra money due to SG  £39.20
Total £113.55
The amounts apply from08/8/2020 until December 2020
Do these amounts appear correct.
What happens after Dec 2020, he has savings in excess of £16k. I/m guessing he keeps an underlying entitlement to ESA but will get no actual money, is this correct?

That all looks correct. Presumably claim started in early May (?)
Savings are irrelevant. New style ESA is not means tested.
Have no idea why December has been mentioned. I would expect payment to continue indefinitely for as long as he remains in Support Group.
[EDIT - realised other have already responded. Opened on first page and didn't spot thread had already gone onto second page!]

oh_really

Why do the amounts apply from 08/082020 and not from the ESA50 application date with the benefit arrears being from date of application now that a decision on group eligibility has been made?

poppy12345

oh_really said:

Why do the amounts apply from 08/082020 and not from the ESA50 application date with the benefit arrears being from date of application now that a decision on group eligibility has been made?

Because there's a 13 week assessment period and the extra money isn't paid until the 14th week of the claim, even if the decision is made before then.

oh_really

It's clear when you know.

oh_really

Bit more advice if you will. He received a letter this morning from the DWP informing they need medical evidence (new fit note) as previous evidence will now be out of date.
He recently received a decision letter placing him in the support group and was of the belief that due to being in the SG, no further fit notes were required.

Q. is, does he require further fit notes (wont be a problem) or are they not required at this point?

poppy12345

He's been placed into the Support Group so no further fit notes are needed. The letter could have been automatically generated by the computer.