Savings and ESA

bobs123

Well we don’t know if they have or not because he was only alerted to the problem when his new tax year benefit went in and it was more than normal but less than the letter in January said it would be (£13) is there any obvious reason for that? Like it’s because it’s the end/beginning of tax yr. Thays when we found out about the savings limit

poppy123456

That will be because the benefits increase didn't start until 10th April. For this reason your first payment after this will be a mixture of the old and new rates. ESA is paid 2 weeks in arrears. The next payment will include the full increase amount.

bobs123

so it’s not because they have already found out then? If they found out for themselves would the outcome be different as he genuinely didn’t know the savings limit was only £6000

bobs123

Do they work it out from your balance now or from when he originally went over the £6000 and is it added on weekly 

poppy123456

There would still be a fine, even if they found out theirselves. The only difference would be is that your friend would have needed to attend an interview.

It will be from when savings went over £6,000 which i did previously advise. This is why bank statements would be needed.

bobs123

Yes but is the payment worked out weekly from that point, as in does it add on weekly, how is it worked out. He doesn’t understand. 

When we ring up what do I say to avoid saying it’s a change in circumstances because won’t change in circumstances mean a new claim. I know you have had to repeat yourself a lot but I don’t want to get it wrong as I’ve read on this site that the only assessments that are taking place are first time claims and change of circumstances. 

poppy123456

bobs123 said:

Yes but is the payment worked out weekly from that point, as in does it add on weekly, how is it worked out. He doesn’t understand. 

It's weekly.. £1 for every £250 or part there of over £6,000.

bobs123 said:

When we ring up what do I say to avoid saying it’s a change in circumstances because won’t change in circumstances mean a new claim. I know you have had to repeat yourself a lot but I don’t want to get it wrong as I’ve read on this site that the only assessments that are taking place are first time claims and change of circumstances. 

You tell them that your savings are more than £6,000. It's not a change of circumstances that will prompt another work capability assessment. I don't know what other way to advise you, other than you won't have another assessment.

bobs123

So that could be 52 wks a year for 8 yrs for example, will that be considered as fraud? 

poppy thank you so much for your help it’s very much appreciated, it’s really doing his head in and you have helped some what to ease his mind x

poppy123456

No problem

bobs123

Hi poppy, I’ve just seen his letter and it says the amounts on this page are from 11th April 23 to 27th November 23, is that a normal time frame. How come it’s not till march of next yr, would you not expect it to be 12months, is this normal. 

Thanks

poppy123456

That will be to do with the £10 Christmas bonus and the rate for that week will increase by £10. 

bobs123

Will they just send out another letter from nov till next mar/April then. Why don’t they put it all on the same letter? 

poppy123456

No, he will not receive another letter. The uprating letters are only once a year. 

bobs123

The letter says the amounts apply from 11 April 23 to 27th nov, plus includes a Xmas bonus payment in December. Why doesn’t it go to next year. Is it going to stop. Most award letters go from April to April. Why doesn’t this one

OverlyAnxious

bobs123 said:

Why doesn’t this one

ESA letters rarely make any sense.  Don't read anything into those dates. 

bobs123

Ok, thank you

poppy123456

The ESA won't stop, unless all of it is Income Related and your friend has savings/capital of more than £16,000.

bobs123

yes it is all income related but not over 16000 at its highest, its was £12000

poppy123456

Did you ring them to report the changes? If you haven't then you need to do this because they will eventually find out.

bobs123

No not yet as I need to be with him to ring up. He’s convinced himself that reporting it to the dwp, they will change him to another benefit, uc for example because of change of circumstances and people being moved to uc anyway.