Income Related ESA - Change In Circumstances/Inheritance

woodbine66

I was claiming contribution based ESA for a number of years until they had a review approx 5 years ago of everyone on this benefit and put me on income related ESA. I will be getting an inheritance that will take me over the £16000 means tested limit for IR ESA.

When I contact the DWP to tell them about the change in circumstances, can they change me back to the CB ESA that I was on before? Or will I be pushed into another benefit like UC? Also, what info will they need - do they need amounts and date for the bequest and see documentation, statements, etc? Or do I just need to inform them that my circumstances have changed through inheriting some money and take me over the limit?

Many thanks for any info.

calcotti

Check your existing ESA. You may be getting both contribution based and income based ESA. The reassessment in recent years may have been to check if you had incorrectly only been put on contribution based ESA (particularly if you were moved from IB). 

If you are getting both then the contribution based award will continue even if you have capital over £16,000.

woodbine66

calcotti said:

Check your existing ESA. You may be getting both contribution based and income based ESA. The reassessment in recent years may have been to check if you had incorrectly only been put on contribution based ESA (particularly if you were moved from IB). 

If you are getting both then the contribution based award will continue even if you have capital over £16,000.

Thanks for your reply, Calcotti. Your are correct, I am getting CB ESA with the IR top up. Yes, I was on IB before then being moved to CB ESA - then finally they added the IR extra payment after the review.

So you think I can switch back to just getting CB?

calcotti

woodbine66 said:

So you think I can switch back to just getting CB?

This will sound picky but you aren’t ‘switching’ back to CB. You are already getting it. However your income based ESA will stop so you will just be receiving the CB (currently £117.60/week).

woodbine66

Thanks again, Calcotti. Wouldn't surprise me if they try to push me onto Universal credit, as that's where those on ESA will eventually end up.

poppy12345

woodbine66 said:

Thanks again, Calcotti. Wouldn't surprise me if they try to push me onto Universal credit, as that's where those on ESA will eventually end up.

Yes but not until at least 2028 because the date was pushed back for those claiming ESA.

calcotti

That have delayed managed migration of income based ESA claimants toUC until 2028 as a cost saving measure because most will have to be paid more money on UC. Those on CB ESA only will not be moved onto UC anyway.

Rubyroobs

woodbine66 said:

Thanks again, Calcotti. Wouldn't surprise me if they try to push me onto Universal credit, as that's where those on ESA will eventually end up.

You wouldn't be switched to Uc with savings/ capital over 16k as you can't claim Uc with that amount of capital. You will just continue to get the contributions based part of ESA. 

woodbine66

Thanks to all for your replies, really appreciated. What proof/info will I have to show the DWP? Or do I just inform them and that's it?

calcotti

woodbine66 said:

Thanks to all for your replies, really appreciated. What proof/info will I have to show the DWP? Or do I just inform them and that's it?

I don't know the answer to that.

Robbie64

Just inform the DWP that your savings have gone above £16,000 and from what date. They should then ask you for whatever is needed.