New ESA and group income protection

ash5896

Due to a severe accident in 2006 I was finished off at work and claimed IB which wa then changed to ESA contribution based and support group. I managed to find a job that was really accommodation and made some serious adjustments to help me. Unfortunately after 2 years going off sick it’s come to a point very I’ll be needing further surgery and highly unlikely that I’ll be going back to work again.
anyway my SSP finished in October of last year and I was given a form from work to claim ESA and am currently waiting an assessment. I found out today that I’m also covered by work as they have a group income protection plan which will pay 50% of my salary for up to 5 years (it’s not a pension) Now I’ve asked around and no one seems sure if I’m still entitled to claim ESA. I’m still officially employed just not entitled to any sick pay as I’ve been off since April last year.
I even asked the job centre and spoke to 2 people and they both were unsure as it isn’t a pension.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated 

regards 

HillStreetBlues

I would have thought if the group income protection plan was paid by employer it would be classed as contractual sick pay so no effect on ESA.

kaMelo

I agree with @HillStreetBlues, as long as you've not made any personal contributions to become a member of the group insurance policy then it's an employers sickness benefit. 

If however you were required to make personal contributions to become a member of the insurance policy then things become a little greyer.

huckster

Believe that it will not be classed as current employment earnings, as you are not working. Agree with @kaMelo in the way they have stated this.

If the money the employers pay from this group income policy is going to be reported via HMRC RTI it is important that full details about this are provided to ESA, so that a decision can be made. Otherwise it will get picked up later on for a compliance check.

ash5896

That’s great thank you for your replies. No I’ve not paid for it as it was part of the benefits. I’ll get in touch ESA but the way they’ve been saying they’re not sure not sure how it’s going to play out. I’ll send it in writing as I have a copy of the letter from L&G sent to my employer outlining the benefit. Thank you again 

HillStreetBlues

ash5896 said:

That’s great thank you for your replies. No I’ve not paid for it as it was part of the benefits. I’ll get in touch ESA but the way they’ve been saying they’re not sure not sure how it’s going to play out. I’ll send it in writing as I have a copy of the letter from L&G sent to my employer outlining the benefit. Thank you again 

If they disagree then get it referred to a Decision Maker.