ES/UC capital

the_mixer

I have savings over the minimum threshold where they start deducting money from you on ESA, but well under the threshold of 16k where it stops.
I passed the minimum amount while on ESA but didn't realise you need to tell them, I informed them on my renewal form of my savings - does this count?
It has also been a while since my form was sent back and I've not had a decision, so don't know whether to wait until they inform me of that before telling them. If they renew my claim, would I need to  tell them or would they already know via my application? If I need to tell them, is that a "change of circumstance" which they could use to put me on UC?

calcotti

the_mixer said:

I have savings over the minimum threshold where they start deducting money from you on ESA, but well under the threshold of 16k where it stops.
I passed the minimum amount while on ESA but didn't realise you need to tell them, I informed them on my renewal form of my savings - does this count?
It has also been a while since my form was sent back and I've not had a decision, so don't know whether to wait until they inform me of that before telling them. If they renew my claim, would I need to  tell them or would they already know via my application? If I need to tell them, is that a "change of circumstance" which they could use to put me on UC?

What do you mean by ESA renewal form?
If you are referring to a new health questionnaire then that is not the correct place to report financial changes as it is a health questionnaire. You need to ring them and tell them, they will need details of when you breached the £6,000 limit and how much capital you have had since. Your ESA repayment will then be calculated and you will need to pay it back.
If you were sent an ESA3 finances questionnaire then that should be sufficient for reporting purposes but they may come back to you for more information.
The deduction is £1/week for every £250, or part thereof, over £6,000.
Changes in your capital (below £16,000) do not require a new ESA claim and therefore do not require you to claim UC instead.

poppy12345

the_mixer said:

I have savings over the minimum threshold where they start deducting money from you on ESA, but well under the threshold of 16k where it stops.
I passed the minimum amount while on ESA but didn't realise you need to tell them, I informed them on my renewal form of my savings - does this count?
It has also been a while since my form was sent back and I've not had a decision, so don't know whether to wait until they inform me of that before telling them. If they renew my claim, would I need to  tell them or would they already know via my application? If I need to tell them, is that a "change of circumstance" which they could use to put me on UC?

If you're claiming Income Related ESA when you have more than £6,000 in savings you need to ring DWP and report the changes. Putting it on your work capability assessment form isn't correct because it's not sent to DWP it's sent straight to the health assessment providers and they have nothing to do with savings/capital.

If your ESA is Contributions based/New style then savings do not affect the amount you're entitled to.

You will have an overpayment which will need to be repaid back.

For your work capability assessment decision, there's no timescales.

Edit to add, cross posted with calcotti..