How do I get moved to the ESA support group?

System

This discussion was created from comments split from: ESA.

Queen1968

Hi, until 2017 I was getting incapacity benefit then they moved me to ESA work related benefit. And I’ve been getting £73 a week. Because of my financial situation I try to get a job but I get all stressed and due to my disability it affects my health condition so I stops trying for a year. But now my condition has become very bad. Few weeks back I went to Citizen advice bureau to get some help and they checked and told me that I should be getting £117 a week and they should have put me on ESA support group. 

Now how do I move from here to support group? I called them and they said they will send me a form and it’s been a month now and I never got one.
please help me 

poppy123456

@Queen1968 are you sure you’re in the work related group? In a previous thread you said you were claiming a pension, this pension will reduce any Income Related ESA you’re claiming £1 for £1. 

How much per week is your pension? 

Queen1968

I get occupational pension (£25 a week). I was told that I should be in support group

poppy123456

Queen1968 said:

I get occupational pension (£25 a week). I was told that I should be in support group

Then the amount you receive for your ESA doesn’t make any sense. If you were placed into the work related group before April 2017 then you would be entitled to extra money for this. 

Even with the deductions for your pension I would expect you to be receiving more than £73/week. 

Also in a previous thread you asked about SDP for your ESA did you ever have a decision on that? 

If you’re definitely in the work related activity group then you’ll need to ring ESA and report a change of circumstances. They will send you more forms which you’ll need to fill in and return with all your supporting evidence. Another assessment is most likely because most people have them. It could be several months before a decision is made. 

Queen1968

Thank you. Regarding Severe Disability Allowance, they still haven’t come to a decision yet. I’m separated but my ex partner/ husband living in the same house. It’s his house and we are sharing the expenses. Because of this situation they are taking longer time 

poppy123456

When it's an historic timescale they are looking at it's not unusual for it take to quite sometime.

Cher_Alumni

Hi @queen1968 Did you manage to call ESA to report the change of circumstances? Please keep us posted with any updates!

Also just to let you know, I've created a thread for your question to avoid confusion with the other member's situation  

Take care and have a lovely day.

Queen1968

Hi, yes I did call them and informed them and they have now sent me a form which I need to fill it and send back to them.
because my condition has become worse yesterday I called DLA and informed them too.She took down all the details and told me from now onwards I’ll be moved to PIP… they will assess my application. Suppose if they feel I’m not eligible they will stop the benefit. I can’t come back to DLA.
so now I’m out of DLA and waiting for PIP to assess my application. I’m regretting why I called and told them my charge of circumstance. 

Queen1968

But she said DLA will continue to pay me until PIP make a decision on my claim. I don’t know wether I did the right thing. Is PIP better than DLA. Please someone tell me. Thank you 

poppy123456

PIP and DLA are completely different, with totally different criteria. Being entitled to one doesn’t automatically entitle you to the other. 

Had you asked about this then I could have advised you that reporting changes will mean an application to PIP. 

You can see the descriptors here https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/Global/Migrated_Documents/adviceguide/pip-9-table-of-activities-descriptors-and-points.pdf
What award do you currently have for DLA? 

Queen1968

DLA I’m getting Middle rate for care and 
Lower rate for mobility.

Queen1968

Now my condition has become worsened and I need more care and my mobility has affected badly