How much is income-related top up to Contributions-based legacy ESA?

LuxFero
LuxFero Online Community Member Posts: 9 Listener

Hi there. I was told my ESA claim is a combination of both versions of legacy ESA: Contributions-based with an Income-Related top-up. 

I am in the Support group and was previously on Incapacity benefit. However the last reference I can find to my being entitled to both Contributions based AND Income-related is from 2016. My latest award letters make no reference to Contributions-based but call it all ‘income-related,’ although if I lost Contrib-based I was not informed of this change. 

My question is a) How can I find out if I’m still on Contributions-based with an Income-Related top up (I have read that the fact that I’m receiving the Disability Income Guarantee means I am indeed on both, but I’m not 100% sure if this is true) and 

 

b) what amount the Income-Related top up is? 

This second bit is key as I reckon I’ve been overpaid due to a change in circumstance while I was too unwell to manage my affairs and inform them. I think I’ll have to repay the income-related portion of my ESA, but my question is how much? 

 

I have been advised – though I’m not clear if this is accurate – that the breakdown of the ESA award is as follows: 

Your living expenses                                                               = Contributions-based

Extra money because you are severely disabled                               = Income-Related

Extra money because of the Disability Income Guaranted                = Income-Related 

Extra money because you are in the Support Group             = Contributions-based 

 

Is the above correct to your knowledge? And is there any way to check this other than directly calling the DWP myself? A database an advocate can use? Thank you. 

Comments

  • calcotti
    calcotti Online Community Member Posts: 10,001 Championing
    edited July 2023
    If you have remained in the Support Group you will be getting contribution based ESA which is £129.50/week.

    The contribution based bit is the living expenses and the Support Group.

    The income based bit is the Severe Disability Premium and the Disability Income Guarantee.

    Agreed as you say.
  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,463 Championing
    LuxFero said:

    b) what amount the Income-Related top up is? 



    That would be £76.40/week severe disability premium and £19.55/week Enhanced disability premium. (known as disability income guarantee in ESA letters) Total weekly amount £95,95.

    Contributions based is £129.50/week.
  • LuxFero
    LuxFero Online Community Member Posts: 9 Listener
    Thank you so much!