Contribution ESA

Interceed_22

Hello, am I correct in thinking even though I am low income person because I have contributed ESA not income related I am not going to get the £650 from the government? I can’t find the information anywhere. 

pochase

Not sure why you say you cannot find the information.

It is clearly listed in the support fact sheet.

• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/cost-of-living-support/cost-of-living-support-factsheet-26-may-2022

marcia_

 Hes asking about contributions based ESA 

QrizB

Interceed_22 said:

Hello, am I correct in thinking even though I am low income person because I have contributed ESA not income related I am not going to get the £650 from the government? I can’t find the information anywhere. 

That seems to be correct, yes. Contribution-based ESA doesn't qualify.

SGB89

I was trying to find out about this last night. If you have been on contribution ESA for over a year and you are in the support group I think it becomes income related?

marcia_

SGB89 said:

I was trying to find out about this last night. If you have been on contribution ESA for over a year and you are in the support group I think it becomes income related?

 Nope, I've been in support group years and still contributions based. 

Spoonie_Turtle

The 'exception' (for want of a better word) will be if you have an income-related top-up, if it's the old-style contributions-based ESA.

If it's new-style, there is no income-based top-up and the income-based benefit available would be Universal Credit.

SGB89

So it seems like you can apply for UC (if you have under £16k savings) and keep new-style ESA? therefore would be entitled to some of the £650 fund since I've missed the cut off date of 25th?

Spoonie_Turtle

SGB89 said:

So it seems like you can apply for UC (if you have under £16k savings) and keep new-style ESA? therefore would be entitled to some of the £650 fund since I've missed the cut off date of 25th?

It depends on your overall financial circumstances.  Try a benefits calculator or two
https://benefits-calculator.turn2us.org.uk/
https://www.entitledto.co.uk/

But yes, UC and ns-ESA can be claimed together.  The ESA is deducted in full from any UC award, and a person's ESA 'status' (WRAG or SG) should be carried over to UC, although they sometimes need a nudge.

If you claim UC on or before the second cut-off date, whenever that will be, it seems logical to conclude you would be entitled to the second instalment.