PIP / ESA Support and Disability Premiums/Overpayments

Emille

Apologies if this has been answered before - I'm a newbie here.  I've just been awarded PIP ( lower rate daily living related to mobility roughly £64 p/w).  I think applying triggered a  review of my ESA Support - So I do get a disability premium on ESA but I don't know whether it is something called SDP or not. It doesn't say on my ESA award letter.  While I'm waiting for the ESA to get back to me on a work capability assessment / award just wondering, should I expect  ESA Support or at least the disability premium part on it to be reduced?  Is there a total  Govt limit per week with the combination of disability benefits where if your awards are over that amount you might get reductions.  If so what is the amount? I also don't want to end up with a benefit overpayment situation.

poppy123456

Claiming PIP wouldn't have triggered a WCA and it would have just been a coincidence that you were contacted. 

Are you living alone or with other adults? If with other adults they must also be claiming a qualifying disability benefit such as either, PIP daily living, DLA mid/high rate care or AA. Or be registered blind.

Emille

Hi Poppy, thanks for replying.  I live alone and do not have any extended family claiming any allowances for my care. I also wondered if the amounts I am getting will affect my Housing benefit and Council Tax benefit.  I get 100% council tax benefit as sole occupier on the vulnerable scheme and have a 14% reduction in Housing Benefit because I have a second unoccupied bedroom.

poppy123456

Then you will be entitled to the SDP in your ESA and to claim it you will need to ring them and ask to apply for SDP. It shouldn't take anymore than about 15 minutes as they will fill the form in over the phone. It may take a few weeks for the decision to be made.

It should also be backdated to the start of your PIP award, assuming you were living alone at that time. You will need to make sure that no one claims either carers allowance or carers element of UC for looking after you in the future, otherwise you will lose the SDP.

Your housing benefit will not change, unless you need regular overnight care and then you maybe able to claim for the extra bedroom. https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/help-if-on-a-low-income/housing-benefit/how-an-extra-bedroom-affects-your-housing-benefit/check-if-youre-allowed-an-extra-bedroom-for-housing-benefit/

Emille

Thanks for all that info - much appreciated.  I have had experiences before where certain benefits result in others being reduced.   You don't often find out until you receive an overpayments bill - I thought it best to make sure I know so that it doesn't happen to me again.  The ESA have sent me a little form to return for the SDP which is going in the post tommorrow.