Could a PIP outcome affect ESA payments?

RVJ11

Hi all, I'm in the support group for income-related ESA. I'm currently waiting for a decision on a PIP reassessment so as you can imagine I'm in a bit of a state right now. I have heard that some people who were denied PIP after a reassessment also lost their ESA and I'm terrified that might happen to me as it would mean I would lose my main source of income. Can anybody advise? Many thanks.

poppy123456

No, it won’t affect it in a bad way. They are two completely different benefits.
Do you currently live alone or with other adults? 

RVJ11

Hi, thanks for your reply. I live in privately rented accommodation which I currently share with two other adults.

rebel11

Hypothetically, if it did happen, you could / would do Mandatory Reconsiderations in writing, then Appeal if they fail. At this moment in time, you haven't heard anything, so there is nothing to worry about. Best wait and see, before drawing conclusions.   

RVJ11

Thanks for your reply- it's still a scary prospect though. I would have nothing to live on for all that time and would have no way of paying for anything.

poppy123456

RVJ11 said:

Hi, thanks for your reply. I live in privately rented accommodation which I currently share with two other adults.

Are you related to those adults? If so do they also either claim a qualifying benefit such as PIP daily living or DLA mid/high rate care or AA? Or registered blind? 

If not related are you named on a tenancy agreement and responsible for paying the landlord rent?

rebel11 said:

Hypothetically, if it did happen, you could / would do Mandatory Reconsiderations in writing, then Appeal if they fail. At this moment in time, you haven't heard anything, so there is nothing to worry about. Best wait and see, before drawing conclusions.   

Though it won’t happen because they are completely different benefits. As I advised it won’t affect the ESA in a bad way. 

RVJ11

Hi, no, I'm not related to either adult. I am named on a tenancy agreement and responsible for paying rent.

poppy123456

RVJ11 said:

Hi, no, I'm not related to either adult. I am named on a tenancy agreement and responsible for paying rent.

Then if you're successfully awarded daily living PIP you'll be entitled to the Severe disability Premium (SDP) it's an extra £69.40/week in your ESA. You must make sure that no one claims either carers allowance or carers element of Universal Credit for looking after you, otherwise you won't be entitled to the SDP.

It can be backdated to the start of your PIP claim, if you were eligible at that time. You will need to ring ESA to claim it.

RVJ11

Hi, thanks once again for your help. I think I may already be in receipt of the severe disability premium, though I'm not 100% sure. Is there any way I would be able to check if I'm already getting it? Also, on a related note, I understand that reassessments for existing ESA claims have been suspended. Is this true? Thank you.

poppy123456

Unless you’re either registered blind, or receiving either daily living PIP or DLA mid/high rate care then you won’t be receiving the SDP at the moment.

Reviews for the work capability assessment are suspended still. 

RVJ11

Okay, in that case I'd already be getting the sdp. Thank you for all your help- glad to know they're not doing wca reviews for the time being- that's one less thing to have to worry about.

poppy123456

Having just re-read you first comment, it does seem like I misread it, I do apologise! I’ve just cleaned my glasses 🫣 
This means that if you’re daily living doesn’t continue you will lose the SDP. Hopefully that won’t happen.
Again, my apologies for misreading! 

RVJ11

No worries- I hope I don't lose my PIP- I assume that if something like that were to happen I could appeal the decision and continue getting the SDP paid? I hope there's nothing I've mentioned on the form that might cause them to stop my PIP; nothing has changed since my last assessment last year.

poppy123456

If the worst happens and you’re refused you can challenge that decision yes. Though you will need a daily living award for PIP for the SDP to continue, unless you’re registered blind. 

Fingers crossed you’ll be awarded and that will be another thing to stop worry about. 

Have you had an assessment yet for your review? 

RVJ11

No, unfortunately not. I returned the form earlier this week and I'm still waiting to hear back. Not sure how long they'll make me wait. Last year I was awarded daily living without having to attend an assessment at all but I'm not sure if that'll be the case this year, as much as I'd like it to be.

poppy123456

There are long delays with a lot of reviews so you could be waiting several months, potentially longer. Your current award will continue until a decision is made on the review. 

RVJ11

I'd suspected as much. Not much to do but wait I suppose; at least I'll still get paid for the time being. Thanks again- you've been a great help in allaying a lot of my worries about this.

poppy123456

You’re welcome. So sorry for the misread at the start. Good luck with your review!