ESA and inheritance - help

Waylaid

Hi all

I've been on ESA SG for many years (PIP too, then lost it, but that's a long story). I think I first got it in 2009.

It was definitely IR until 2013, when I started working part-time (18.5hrs/wk), and it stopped. Alas, in late 2015 my health went catastrophically wrong, so I had to reapply. I think, at that point, I got ESA contribution-based w/ IR top-up. 

There was some confusion in 2020, but I think I should still be on the same thing. I think. I get £298.10 every couple of weeks. My letters are confusing and I have panic attacks whenever I consider calling the DWP. No other benefits ATM. Anybody know whether this is C-based +IR or something else?

I'll be receiving an inheritance sometime in the next month which will take me over the limit for IR. I've been fighting for it in court in a foreign country for ages, and their capitulation has been sudden, so I'm not prepared.

I'll be calling the ESA line as soon as the money comes in to tell them, but I'm aware that they often f* things up, so I'd like to know exactly what to say. If I lose all ESA that's fine, if I lose the top-up but keep the C-B, that's fine, I just don't want things to go haywire and have to fight to fix it later, b/c the court case has taken it out of me and I don't think I can fight another battle.

Ideas?

Ty.

calcotti

It could be CB-ESA plus I-ESA or completely I-ESA. The only way is to look at the calculation page (which is notoriously unclear) of your ESA award or ring DWP. You can post the calculation on this thread if you wish but make sure you remove any identifying information.

Jyana

It sounds like you get Cont ESA (I think, poss Inc top up?) and the Enhanced Disability Premium if it's £298.10/fortnight.

ESA £129.50/week - £259.00

EDP £19.55/week - £39.10

poppy12345

Jyana said:

It sounds like you get Cont ESA (I think, poss Inc top up?) and the Enhanced Disability Premium if it's £298.10/fortnight.

ESA £129.50/week - £259.00

EDP £19.55/week - £39.10

There’s no way of knowing for certain without knowing what’s in the calculation. 

calcotti

Jyana said:

It sounds like you get Cont ESA (I think, poss Inc top up?) and the Enhanced Disability Premium if it's £298.10/fortnight.

ESA £129.50/week - £259.00

EDP £19.55/week - £39.10

We cannot tell if it includes C-ESA plus some I-ESA or is all I-ESA, as already advised

calcotti said:

It could be CB-ESA plus I-ESA or completely I-ESA. The only way is to look at the calculation page (which is notoriously unclear) of your ESA award or ring DWP. You can post the calculation on this thread if you wish but make sure you remove any identifying information.

tacpot12

When you call them, you might want to consider having a friend with you, and talk to the friend beforehand about what you want to know or tell them.  Then they can take over if needed. It would probably help to have your question and statement written down even if you don't have anyone that can be with you. 

If you don't have an ESA decision letter with the calculation of the ESA amount you currently receive, calling the DWP would be the best way to check. Have a pen and paper handy to make notes. 

You want to ask them for the breakdown of your current ESA payments, how much is contribution-based, how much is income-based, and what (if any) premiums you are getting - ask for the names of the premiums and the amounts. 

You will want to tell them about your inheritance. You need to consider what other capital/savings/investments you might have that need to be added to the inheritance. You just need to say "I have just received a payment of an inheritance, and need to tell you that my capital is now £x. I understand that this could affect any ib-ESA I receive, so I am telling you about this at the earliest possibility." Confirm to them the date that the payment arrived in your bank account.

Robbie64

You should get a P60U each year from DWP / HMRC in respect of your ESA. If you can find your current one (it should have been issued in April or May), look at the entry for Taxable (Benefit). if there is an entry other than £0.00 in there then you are receiving some contributions based ESA. This assumes that ESA is your only income. Your ESA may also include an income related top up but if you are shown as having Taxable Benefit then some of your ESA will be conts based ESA.

Newcad

There is only one way to be sure with 'Legacy' (old style) ESA if its IR only or CB plus IR premiums.

Ask them to send you a form ESA124.
That form sets out in 2 colums how much you get for CB ESA and how much for IR  ESA.
Column A shows contribution-based Employment and Support Allowance
Column B shows income-related Employment and Support Allowance

If you have amounts in both colums then it's CB plus IR premiums.
And of course if you have amounts in only the IR colum then it's only IR.

You can see an example ESA124 here:https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/418646/response/1033287/attach/5/ESA Award Letter.pdf?

Waylaid

Thank you so much all. My last paper communication from them was in April 2019, telling me the updated rates for ESA. It isn't clear about whether my ESA is CB or IR or CB w/ IR top-up. I was getting EDP as a result of being in the SG. At the time I had PIP, so I was also getting SDP. PIP (and SDP) ended in June 2020 (see * if interested). 

So I have no recent letters, no updates, no nothing. Basically I have to call them and find out. Any contact with DWP sends me into panic attacks and then a depressive spiral, so I think I'll just wait until the inheritance comes in and call them then (with friend to take over when I lose it). I can't wait to be away from them. They've caused me more health problems than my conditions have.

*My Mum's terminal cancer fast-forwarded through the 2-4 years we were supposed to have with her, and in March 2020 I did the OMG please let me get there in time flight that all kids who have moved away from their families dread. I was so lucky. I flew out the day before lockdown started. I'm so grateful that I made it there! I cared for her until she died on April 11. It was the the hardest and most important thing I've ever done. It changed me.
Anyway. My flight back was cancelled, airline shut down for months, blah blah... ESA answered my calls (aborted - DWP had no way to contact them by phone from other countries in 2020 - excellent service)/emails/letters and gave me an easement. PIP did not. The ESA lady said she'd inform PIP and my council, but, well... HB stopped after 4 weeks, CTR at some point, PIP after 13 weeks. 

Cheers all. 

Waylaid

The ESA124... Do I have to call to get it? If I answer the security questions, can a friend do the rest? 

TySM!

Newcad

Yes just ring them (wait on hold  for way too long) and ask for it.

Use the number, ESA124, in case they haven't heard of it themselves. They won't have the phones are contractors not DWP staff.

As it is sent by post to the claimants address then there isn't (shouldn't be) a problem with who asks for it to be sent.