What the Law says.

[Galeforce81]

My friend is getting CB ESA and is in the SG.

 

The other day she got a letter from housing benefit.

 

It says Income you told us about £108.05.

 

How much the law says you need to live on:

For you £71

Because you are sick or disabled £14.80

Because you receive ESA support component £34.05

TOTAL £119.85

 

She doesn't get the £14.80 in CB ESA and the extra little bit is because she got that amount in IB, so i was wondering if she could apply for IR ESA to get the shortfall of £11.80.

 

Sorry if this post is a bit confusing.

Edited February 10, 2013 by Galeforce81

[Nystagmite]

The enhanced disability premium is income based. Does your friend have a partner or any savings?

[Galeforce81]

No she doesn't have a partner or Savings. Its not just the extra money that would be nice, its the fact that she is then passported onto other things.

 

Wow Nystagmite, quick reply, I hadn't even finished editing the post.

[Nystagmite]

You're welcome! The best thing to do is phone DWP up and speak to them. Do you know if your friend filled in anything about her income / savings?

 

Don't phone on a Monday - it's impossible to get through.

[Galeforce81]

She put that she didn't have any.(she's never had any). I always thought it strange that those on IR ESA like me who have never worked, should get more than those on CB ESA that have, especially with all the extras that are included in IR ESA.

 

She's got an appointment with her support worker on Wednesday, so i'll try and convince her to give them a ring then. (she doesn't have a phone but her SW lets her use theirs).

Only problem is she's worried that any contact she has with DWP will result in her being on their radar and she'll get renewed sooner. She had to win a tribunal to get what she's getting and the thought of it is stressing her out a bit.

[id6052]

has she got any other income?

[Galeforce81]

Nope, no other income apart from HB & CTB.

[id6052]

from the information you have supplied, I can't see any reason why she would not be entitled to top up, definitely worth asking about claiming ESA(ir)

[Galeforce81]

Thanks. I wonder how many others dont realise they may be entitled to this, from what i've read on this and another forum, i would imagine its quite a few.

 

Do you think she would be more likely to get reassessed though? Thats what she's most worried about, bringing attention to herself. Personally i think she would rather not have the money, for now, but if she manages to get put back into the support group when she eventually gets reassessed, she would apply for it (or UC) then.

 

I don't blame her as im doing something similar with my DLA as im sure i should be entitled to MRC & HRM instead of LRC & HRM but i'd rather not rock the boat, what with PIP coming in. I'd rather have less money till 2015 than possibly no money now. (Even though im feeling more and more confidant about PIP)

 

Also, a bit of a stretch, but i don't suppose she'd be able to get it backdated?

Edited February 12, 2013 by Galeforce81

[Nystagmite]

She won't get assessed because of this. Change in finances (ie, switching from CB to IR ESA) have nothing to do with capacity to work.