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Changing from contribution to income related ESA
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Fleabite
Posts: 60 Forumite
Hello
In March I applied for contribution based ESA as I thought this would be the quickest way to obtain the benefit.
I am now in the support group. However, I understand that this means I stay under the contribution remit.
I am finding it really difficult to cope with prescription, dentist bills etc as I never had much in the way of savings in the first place.
Is there any way I can change to income based ESA?
Many thanks
FB
In March I applied for contribution based ESA as I thought this would be the quickest way to obtain the benefit.
I am now in the support group. However, I understand that this means I stay under the contribution remit.
I am finding it really difficult to cope with prescription, dentist bills etc as I never had much in the way of savings in the first place.
Is there any way I can change to income based ESA?
Many thanks
FB
0
Comments
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Contribution based ESA is always paid first if you meet the criteria for it (which you obviously do)
You can claim both contribution based ESA and income based ESA (commonly referred to as an income based 'top up') under certain circumstances. First you would have to meet the means tested criteria - basically no other income including a partner's/no capital except for the house you live in - plus something else that would meet the criteria for the income based part. Usually these are housing costs (a mortgage on your property) and being in receipt of certain awards of DLA and PIP.
So, do you meet the means tested criteria? Are you receiving DLA/PIP and at what levels?
If you do not meet the criteria for an income based 'top up' then you will continue to remain on contribution based ESA
If you are only entitled to contribution based ESA then you can claim help with health costs through the low income scheme.
Information here:
http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/Healthcosts/Pages/nhs-low-income-scheme.aspx
Of course if you do not currently receive PIP then you can apply if you meet the descriptors.0 -
pmlindyloo wrote: »You can claim both contribution based ESA and income based ESA (commonly referred to as an income based 'top up') under certain circumstances. First you would have to meet the means tested criteria - basically no other income including a partner's/no capital except for the house you live in - plus something else that would meet the criteria for the income based part. Usually these are housing costs (a mortgage on your property) and being in receipt of certain awards of DLA and PIP.
Most unusual for pmlindyloo, but some of the criteria set out above for Income Related entitlement are quite simply wrong. If the OP has a partner they can be working up to 24 hours per week but their earnings would be taken into account. They could also have up to £16k in capital.0 -
Most unusual for pmlindyloo, but some of the criteria set out above for Income Related entitlement are quite simply wrong. If the OP has a partner they can be working up to 24 hours per week but their earnings would be taken into account. They could also have up to £16k in capital.
Thanks for correcting me. Very badly written on my part
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pmlindyloo wrote: »Thanks for correcting me. Very badly written on my part
No problem. I'll put it down to the heat:rotfl:0 -
Hello
Many thanks for your replies.
I didn't know about the 'top up' which isn't obvious on the gov website. It just seems to show you can either claim contributory or income ESA and that is it.
I am single and rent and am in the process of claiming PIP. I have made a claim by ringing the number from my Cosham Benefit Centre letter.and they are sending out forms.
Once again, many thanks for your help.
FB0 -
Apply for IR and see what happens.
The base rate of IR is £15.75 higher than ESA(C). If you've no household income, savings/investments etc. then you will be paid Income Related.0 -
Apply for IR and see what happens.
The base rate of IR is £15.75 higher than ESA(C). If you've no household income, savings/investments etc. then you will be paid Income Related.
Base rate for IR is exactly the same as C. Eligibility to IR isn't as simple as stated above. If the claimant qualifies for Conts and there are no additional elements to be taken into account, they will be paid as a Conts claim.
What is true is that there is nothing to be lost by putting in a claim for IR benefit. If there is an entitlement it will be processed as IR, but the claimant can't choose to be treated as and IR claim.0 -
Apply for IR and see what happens.
The base rate of IR is £15.75 higher than ESA(C). If you've no household income, savings/investments etc. then you will be paid Income Related.
IMO this is a garbled and misleading post.
These are ESa rates:
https://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/employment-and-support-allowance/esa-glossary/2756-employment-support-allowance-rates
http://www.disabilityrightsuk.org/employment-and-support-allowance-overview
Basic rates are the same whether it is income-based or contribution-based.
As helpful posters have commented (pmlindyloo, DS, Tellit01) an income-related top up can be awarded for certain premiums.
http://www.entitledto.co.uk/help/disability-premiums-in-benefits
The £15.75 refered to above is the enhanced disabiliity premium. This can be paid if the claimant is in the support group (or receiving the enhanced rate of DL PIP). This can, I think, be paid as an income-based top up to an existing contribution-based ESa claim (providing the claimant meets the criteria for income-based payments).
https://www.rethink.org/living-with-mental-illness/money-issues-benefits-employment/employment-support-allowance/about
I would suggest the OP takes their details (including savings and household income) into the local CAB and ask them if they would be eligible for the enhanced disability premium, and what to write to the DWP in order to claim it.Alice Holt Forest situated some 4 miles south of Farnham forms the most northerly gateway to the South Downs National Park.0 -
Now we know the OP's circumstances and if she meets the criteria for a means tested benefits then I believe that she will be entitled to an income based 'top up' as she is in the support group of ESA and therefore eligible for the enhanced disability premium.
The OP seems to indicate that she is 'now' in the support group, suggesting a recent award.
Usually the EDP will be awarded automatically. If not the OP should telephone and ask them about it. She may have to complete a form to prove entitlement to income based ESA.0 -
I am in the process of claiming PIP.
FB
Info on PIP:
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/pip/before-claiming/check-you-are-eligible/
http://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/personal-independence-payment-pip/pip-points-system
http://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/personal-independence-payment-pip/pip-claims
Your local CAB should be able to help you complete the main PIP form.Alice Holt Forest situated some 4 miles south of Farnham forms the most northerly gateway to the South Downs National Park.0
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